Union Station News

SPRINGFIELD -- Amtrak’s New Haven-Springfield shuttle trains carried 577,133 riders in its most recent fiscal year, a 30.6% increase from the 441,943 it carried in the 2023 fiscal year, according to ridership statistics the passenger railroad released this week.

It was nearly the biggest ridership jump by percentage across Amtrak’s system in fiscal 2024, the Pacific Surfliner in southern California jumped 30.8%.

Amtrak reports 30% growth on the New Haven-Springfield line - masslive.com

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – One of the busiest holiday travel weeks has just begun, and many are choosing to go by rail or bus to get to their Thanksgiving destination.

22News learned what travelers need to know if they plan to go by rail before and after the holiday, and these travelers arriving at Springfield Union Station did just that the Monday night before Thanksgiving—the calm before the storm of one of the busiest weeks for holiday travel.

“You have to try to leave early, try to plan, get the flex tickets if you can,” says Matt from New York City. “I got those and it helped us out.” Whether it’s by bus or rail, Union Station in Springfield is prepared for the nearly 20,000 passengers who will pass through the doors here for the holidays this year.

The two busiest travel days are expected to be November 27th—-the day before Thanksgiving, and December 1st—the Sunday after.

The property manager of Springfield Union Station Nicole Sweeney says unlike Grand Central or South Station, you don’t have to be at Union Station hours ahead. “We are pretty small and easy to navigate, so 45 minutes to a half hour is generally plenty, if you already have your ticket, to get here & get comfortable and then catch your ride.”

The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has been awarded $36.8 million from the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Fiscal Year 2024 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program.

Residents experience ‘Track or Treat’ train ride from Springfield to Hartford

August 29th was Operation Railsafe Day at Union Station. Amtrak Police Department's Railsafe program coordinates & integrates the response from Amtrak Police and their partners like the Springfield Police Department MA State Police & other first responders, to improve the security of passengers, employees, and infrastructure from acts of terrorism. So, if you're here, be sure and tell Greg the dog what a very good boy he is!

On Aug. 3 and 4, the Amherst Railway Society, CTrail and Springfield’s Union Station partnered to bring Kids On Track - a model railroad show - to Union Station.

The two-day show - held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day - featured operating model railroads set up in the Union Station concourse. In addition, families were able to enjoy a special roundtrip train ride between Springfield and Hartford provided by CTrail.

All aboard for Kids on Track at Union Station (Photos) - masslive.com

SPRINGFIELD — Recent headlines reinforce the need for the newly named Richard E. Neal Cybersecurity Center of Excellence: how a cyberattack hobbled the payment system widely used in health care, concerns over election integrity and hackers who target older adults.

“If you talk about a growth industry,” U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D- Springfield, said Tuesday during a tour of the $5 million center now under construction within the city’s rail hub Union Station. “Springfield Technical Community College is so well positioned on this very issue.”

The spirit of giving illuminated Union Station as I Found Light Against All Odds (IFLAAO) hosted its sixth annual Coach Claus Toy Giveaway, bringing joy to hundreds of children in the Springfield community.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Union Station held its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony decorated with iconic landmarks representing Springfield.

This year’s theme is “Welcome Home, Springfield”, with a 15-foot tree on display that has a bent top that resembles Whoville’s iconic “Mount Crumpit” in the book by Dr. Seuss, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” It even has Grinch’s hands poking out.

SPRINGFIELD — Imagine the main concourse of Union Station festooned with nearly 200 tiny versions of every cartoon character, Disney princess and Star Wars good guys (no one likes the bad guys) — even the smallest Springfield firefighter. The very first Track or Treat Halloween celebration hit Springfield, with a reprise just down the track in Hartford.

Amtrak and MassDOT are promising two-hour train trips to Boston from Springfield, once track improvements paid for by a $108 million federal grant are complete.

MASSLIVE: SPRINGFIELD — Chairman and CEO of Peter Pan Bus Lines Peter A. Picknelly playfully greeted driver Everett L. ‘Andy’ Anderson Monday, asking him: “You didn’t get into an accident on the way over here, did you? Because that would be bad.”

MASSLIVE: SPRINGFIELD — U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal announced a $3 million earmark Tuesday funding the Cybersecurity Center of Excellence at Springfield Union Station.

Springfield students decked the halls at Springfield Union Station, with joyful music for the second annual holiday tree lighting. The historic concourse was filled with holiday cheer as U.S. Rep. Richard Neal and Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno assisted in lighting the tree and kicking off the holiday travel season. The Sci-Tech high-school choir, under the direction of Dr. Jose Passalacqua, performed “Believe” from The Polar Express.