NEW JERSEY — U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr., R-N.J., joined two fellow members of Congress in urging Amtrak to increase train service at the Trenton Transit Center and Metropark stations along the Northeast Corridor.
Kean, along with Reps. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., and Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., sent a letter to Amtrak President Roger Harris requesting expanded Acela and Northeast Regional service at the two stations.
In the letter, the lawmakers said both stations serve as key transportation hubs connecting communities across North, Central and South Jersey, as well as parts of southeastern Pennsylvania and Staten Island, to the Northeast Corridor rail network.
The lawmakers noted that after a September 2023 schedule update, Trenton no longer has any Acela service, making it the only state capital along the high-speed Acela route without a dedicated stop. Metropark has also experienced a reduction in daily stops by both Acela and Northeast Regional trains, they said.
“Our constituents rely on Amtrak services for regular commutes and other travel,” the lawmakers wrote.
They also cited upcoming events expected to significantly increase travel demand in the region, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup final and the United States’ semiquincentennial celebration marking the nation’s 250th anniversary.
With millions of visitors expected to travel between Philadelphia and New York City during those events, the lawmakers said restoring and expanding service at Trenton and Metropark would help accommodate anticipated ridership growth.
The letter also asked Amtrak to consider increasing stops at the stations as the company continues rolling out its next-generation Acela trainsets.
Lawmakers said ensuring strong service at both locations would help improve regional connectivity and support travelers commuting or visiting the area.
