Kean Advocates for Robust Amtrak Service to Trenton, Metropark along Northeast Corridor

(March 5, 2026) WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Representatives Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) announced that they sent a letter to Amtrak President Roger Harris urging robust Acela and Northeast Regional train service to Trenton Transit Center (TRE) and Metropark (MET) ahead of a historic year for the region.

In their letter to the President of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), the lawmakers highlighted the critical role both stations play as connection points to the Northeast Corridor for communities across North, Central, and South New Jersey, as well as parts of Southeast Pennsylvania and Staten Island. They noted that since the September 2023 schedule update, Trenton has been left entirely without Acela service (making it the only state capital on the Acela line without a dedicated stop), while Metropark has seen a decrease in daily stops by both Acela and Northeast Regional trains.

The Members also pointed to the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final and the Nation's Semiquincentennial as events expected to drive significant ridership increases between Philadelphia and New York City this year, with millions of visitors anticipated across the region.

"Our constituents rely on Amtrak services for regular commutes and other travel," the lawmakers wrote. "As the rollout of the Next-Gen Acela trainsets continues and as these high-profile events approach, we request that you ensure Trenton and Metropark are adequately served in the face of this anticipated ridership growth, including by Acela trainsets."

Read the full letter below and HERE:

Dear Mr. Harris,

As Members of Congress representing communities served by the Northeast Corridor, we write in support of robust Acela and Northeast Regional train service to key points in the New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania region.

Our constituents rely on Amtrak services for regular commutes and other travel. Stations like Metropark (MET) and Trenton Transit Center (TRE) serve dense constituencies and economic drivers. These stations are the nearest direct access to the Northeast Corridor for communities in broad swathes of North, Central, and South New Jersey, as well as parts of Southeast Pennsylvania and Staten Island. Located in New Jersey's state capital, Trenton serves tens of thousands of yearly commuters and visitors to state government and surrounding areas, while Metropark provides direct access to the Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike, and other major thoroughfares.

This year, our region will serve as host to both the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final and events related to the Nation's Semiquincentennial, attracting millions of visitors in what is anticipated to be a record year for tourism. Events commemorating America's historic revolutionary battles will draw visitors throughout New Jersey and the Northeast, while celebratory events surrounding the World Cup promise to bring substantial increases in ridership to points between matches in Philadelphia, PA and New York City, N.Y.

Unfortunately, since the September 2023 schedule update, Trenton has been entirely without Acela service, while Metropark has seen a decrease in daily stops by both Acela and Northeast Regional trains over the same timeframe.

We appreciate and welcome any efforts to improve reliability and service, especially in the wake of the cascading service disruptions seen in the summer of 2024. However, these changes should not come at the expense of service to these important population and economic hubs. Decreased service to Trenton and Metropark risks distancing the government, residential, and tourism hubs they serve from access to the Northeast Corridor, and the cancellation of Acela service to the historic city of Trenton leaves it as the only state capital on the Acela line without a dedicated stop.

As the rollout of the Next-Gen Acela trainsets continues and as these high-profile events approach, we request that you ensure Trenton and Metropark are adequately served in the face of this anticipated ridership growth, including by Acela trainsets. Thank you for your partnership in ensuring that communities in our region of the Northeast Corridor enjoy regular and reliable Amtrak service in 2026 and into the future.

Sincerely,

Thomas H. Kean, Jr., Nicole Malliotakis, and Brian Fitzpatrick

###