Berkshire Flyer returns for 2026 summer service

Berkshire Flyer summer service is set to return for the 2026 season. It will bring back seasonal passenger rail service between New York City and Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Amtrak is cooperating with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the New York State Department of Transportation. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

According to Amtrak’s media release, the service is scheduled to begin on Friday, June 12. It will operate on Fridays and Sundays through Sunday, September 19. Also, the route connects Moynihan Train Hall in New York City with Pittsfield, MA, by way of Albany-Rensselaer, NY, with several stops between those points.

Berkshire Flyer summer service and weekend trips

For the 2026 season, the Amtrak Berkshire Flyer will include an added second round trip. In practical terms, the added round trip creates a Friday-to-Sunday travel pattern for weekend trips to and from New York City.

“We want every region of Massachusetts to be connected and accessible, and rail service like the Berkshire Flyer helps make that possible,” said Governor Maura Healey. “The Berkshire Flyer has become an important connection between Western Massachusetts and New York City, helping support local businesses, bring more visitors to the Berkshires and give travelers a reliable alternative to driving during the busy summer season. The addition of a second-round trip this year reflects growing demand for rail travel and the importance of investing in transportation systems that strengthen local economies and connect people to opportunity.

“The Berkshire Flyer continues to make it easier for residents and visitors alike to experience everything the Berkshires have to offer,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Expanding passenger rail service gives people more convenient and affordable ways to travel while supporting tourism, regional connectivity and economic growth across Western Massachusetts.”

Amtrak Vice President, Planning and State Partnerships Nicole Bucich said the company is continuing the service with support from its rail and transportation partners. “We’re proud to continue Berkshire Flyer service for this summer and grateful for the partnership with MassDOT, NYSDOT, and CSX that gives our guests a better way to travel to the Berkshires than by car,” said Amtrak Vice President, Planning and State Partnerships Nicole Bucich. “Before enjoying the culture and charm of the local towns, Amtrak travelers can relax from our spacious seats and experience the scenery from our picturesque windows while skipping traffic along the way.”

MassDOT and NYSDOT support the service

Massachusetts rail priorities

Interim Transportation Secretary of Transportation and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng connected the service with the administration’s regional rail priorities. “The Healey-Driscoll administration has made regional rail a priority to improve and expand transportation options in Massachusetts.  At MassDOT working with our partners at Amtrak, NYSDOT and CSX to run the Berkshire Flyer yearly, we are able to offer more desirable travel times for passengers this season,”  said Interim Transportation Secretary of Transportation and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng. ”Expanding rail service options helps empower local economies, supports quality of life, and creates stronger connections between our communities and the broader Northeast Corridor.”

MassDOT Rail and Transit Administrator Meredith Slesinger said the Berkshire Flyer is part of wider work to expand intercity passenger rail in the state. “The Healey Driscoll administration is committed to expanding public transportation access in Massachusetts and has made progress by working with our rail partners, congressional delegation, and local leaders,” said MassDOT Rail and Transit Administrator Meredith Slesinger.  “We’ve been pleased to see ridership on our Amtrak services double since 2018, showing the value of the Commonwealth’s investments in our Compass Rail program. The Berkshire Flyer is one of series of initiatives to grow intercity rail service and offers more transportation options. Additional services include the Inland Route between Boston, Springfield, and New Haven scheduled to launch in 2030, funded by a Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement Program grant. MassDOT is also undertaking a service development plan, also funded by the FRA, for the entire Boston-Albany corridor.”

New York State support

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “The return of the Berkshire Flyer is great news for summer travel enthusiasts who want to experience the beauty of New York State and Massachusetts, and the addition of a second, round trip will help spur even more economic activity in both states throughout the summer. Riding the Berkshire Flyer is one of the best ways to experience the Hudson Valley region’s scenic landscape and charming communities and the New York State Department of Transportation is pleased to support this and other adventures by rail throughout the year.”

Pittsfield and New York City route details

The Amtrak Berkshire Flyer will run between Moynihan Train Hall and the Joseph Scelsi Intermodal Transportation Center at 1 Columbus Ave. in Pittsfield. The trains will serve the same intermediate stops as a typical Amtrak Empire Service train on Fridays and Sundays, including Yonkers, NY; Croton-Harmon, NY; Poughkeepsie, NY; Rhinecliff, NY; Hudson, NY; and Albany-Rensselaer Station.

Tickets are available through Amtrak.com, the Amtrak app, and 1-800-USA-RAIL. Berkshire Flyer passengers will have access to standard Amtrak onboard amenities, including free Wi-Fi, the ability to use phones and electronic devices throughout the trip without “airplane mode,” the option to travel with small pets on many trains, spacious seating with ample leg room, and no middle seat.

Amtrak, MassDOT, and NYSDOT have worked with CSX Transportation ahead of the service’s 2026 start. The preparation follows the renewal of an agreement with CSX that allows the Berkshire Flyer to use its tracks.

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