Syracuse,
NY – August 2014 / Newsmaker Alert / Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
announced that Amtrak will continue its tradition of providing train service
to the Great New York State Fair,
with five trains dropping passengers off daily for the 12 days of the fair,
which runs from Thursday, August 21 to Monday, September 1. At the Governor’s
urging, Amtrak and CSX Corporation reached an agreement Monday to continue
the service.
“The 2014 State Fair will
be an unparalleled opportunity to experience some of the best agricultural
products and entertainment that New York has to offer, and this train service
will be a convenient and affordable travel option for visitors from all
over,” Governor Cuomo said. “I am pleased we were able to work with Amtrak
and CSX to make this service possible, and I encourage all New Yorkers
– by train, car or plane – to visit the State Fair this year.”
The Governor intervened during
negotiations over providing train service to the Fair, which were particularly
difficult this year because CSX freight traffic has increased on the Empire
Corridor west, already its busiest corridor in the nation. Because Amtrak
passenger trains travel on CSX tracks, it makes adding an additional stop
for Amtrak trains a dispatching challenge. Amtrak wanted to assure that
its passenger trains would not be unduly delayed by the addition of the
Fair stop. The Governor’s intervention helped resolve the impasse.
The Fair, which is themed
“Summer’s Best in Show,” has a train stop on the fairgrounds at Gate 11,
just outside the Horticulture building entrance.
New York State Department
of Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald said, “Governor Andrew Cuomo
knows how important a robust transportation system is for mobility and
a robust economy. Train service to the Great New York State Fair helps
ensure that this great summer tradition is available to everyone.”
The following trains will
be serving the New York State Fair:
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For reservations or information,
visit Amtrak.com or call 1-800 USA-RAIL.
The New
York State Fair, operated by the New
York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, runs from August
21 – September 1, 2014. The Fair’s mission, reflected in its 2014 theme,
“Summer’s Best in Show,” is to showcase the best of New York agriculture
while providing top-quality entertainment. This year’s tagline – “New Attractions,
Old Favorites, Timeless Fun” – highlights the more than two dozen new events
and attractions and the expansion or enhancement of several Fairgoer favorites.
In addition to the annual
New York State Fair, the Fairgrounds host dozens of agricultural events
throughout the year, including some of the Northeast’s most prestigious
horse and livestock shows.
The home of the Great New
York State Fair is a 375-acre exhibit and entertainment complex that operates
all year. A year-round schedule of events is available on the Fair’s
website.
Find The Great
New York State Fair on Facebook, follow @NYSFair
on Twitter, and enjoy photos from the Fair at Flickr.com/photos/NYSFair.
Also, New Yorkers are invited to send their ideas for the Great New York
State Fair at statefairideas@agriculture.ny.gov.
Media Contacts:
Joe
Morrissey
Public Information Officer
NYS Department of Agriculture
& Markets
518-457-0752
Dave
Bullard
Public Relations
New York State Fair
315-487-7711 x 1377 |