Valley Flyer Train to Return to Pre-Pandemic Service Levels In Late July

Western Massachusetts train service that was cut back because of the COVID-19 pandemic is scheduled to resume in a few weeks.

The Valley Flyer began running in 2019 between Greenfield and Springfield with stops in Northampton and Holyoke.

There were two trains a day in both directions with service continuing on to New Haven on weekdays. The state-funded pilot program was supposed to run two years and assess if there was enough demand.

But in March of 2020, Amtrak eliminated one round trip. Spokesperson Jason Abrams said it will be restored on July 26.

"Now that vaccination rates have been increased and numbers have been dropping in terms of positive cases, we're able to provide this service back to residents and visitors of western Mass.," he said.

The state Department of Transportation said the Valley Flyer pilot will now run through September of next year.

Amtrak is also restoring its Vermonter train service which runs between St. Albans, Vermont, and Washington, DC, later this month.