Valley Flyer

New service between Greenfield and New Haven with scheduled connections to Amtrak and Metro-North at New Haven Union Station

The inaugural run of the Valley Flyer, arriving at sunrise
Northampton, MA | By Wayne Feiden | August 30, 2019

 

To book your ticket please visit the Amtrak website [amtrak.com] or use the Amtrak mobile app.
 

25% Discount on Valley Flyer Travel
Save 25% off the Amtrak rail fare when traveling on the Valley Flyer until October 31, 2019. To use this discount enter Promo Code v459 when booking your ticket.

Overview

Amtrak, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), has launched a new state supported seven day a week passenger train called the Valley Flyer.

The train travels along the Connecticut River, a region referred to as the Knowledge Corridor, with trains making station stops in Springfield, Holyoke, Northampton and Greenfield. The trains also connect with Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor at New Haven and serve stations between New Haven and Springfield.

This service is primarily designed for people in our region who wish to travel south to New York City, as example, in the morning and/or return to the region by train in the evening.

The service will be provided until the fall of 2021 on a pilot basis.

MassDOT has established a goal of 24,000 new annual riders for the new service. If the goal is not met MassDOT has said simply that the service will be discontinued.

If the goal is met the service is expected to continue. If the goal is significantly exceeded added passenger rail service north of Springfield could be considered, up to and including an extension of some Hartford Line service north to Greenfield.

 

Valley Flyer station stops

    1. transfer to/from
    2. ⤷ Amtrak | Northeast Regional
    3. ⤷ Amtrak | Acela Express
  1. ⤷ Metro-North | New Haven Line
  2. ⤷ CTrail | Shoreline Line East

 

Current timetable

A couple of thing to keep in mind…

  • The Valley Flyer is, what MassDOT likes to call, a “pilot service.” Basically its a test to see whether there is really a market here in the valley for additional rail service. We fully expect that things, like the schedule, will be adjusted a bit as we learn what works and what doesn’t.
  • The schedule is not perfect, but it does what it was meant to do — which is to provide a way for people in the Pioneer Valley to travel to New York City by train in the early morning and/or return in the evening. The last time that was possible was back in 1967!
  • If we’re successful (meaning if enough people ride the new trains) we stand a good chance at getting additional trains. If we’re not successful then MassDOT has said simply that the Valley Flyer service will be discontinued.

 

A full schedule, complete with the connections to Metro-North’s service in New Haven, will be posted as soon as possible.

 

Accommodations and amenities on board

• Coach Class seating

• Free Wi-Fi Onboard

• Take your pet with you

 

Please note that most bicycles are not be allowed onboard the Valley Flyer at this time. Further information can be found on Amtrak’s bicycle policy webpage.

 

Sample Amtrak fares and ticket information

One-way in Coach (Adult)

  • Greenfield
  • ⮂ Springfield, MA | $14 or $18
  • ⮂ Hartford, CT | $19 or $24
  • ⮂ New Haven, CT | $28 or $35
  • ⮂ Stamford, CT1 | $47 or $59
  • ⮂ New York, NY / Penn Station1 | $54 or $67
  • ⮂ Philadelphia, PA1 | $62 or $78
  • ⮂ Washington, DC1 | $74 or $99
  • Northampton
  • ⮂ Springfield, MA | $10 or $13
  • ⮂ Hartford, CT | $15 or $19
  • ⮂ New Haven, CT | $26 or $33
  • ⮂ Stamford, CT1 | $47 or $59
  • ⮂ New York, NY / Penn Station1 | $54 and $67
  • ⮂ Philadelphia, PA1 | $62 and $78
  • ⮂ Washington, DC1 | $74 or $99

1 Valley Flyer / Change trains at New Haven Union Station.

 

Important notes

    1. The higher price is the fare when a ticket is purchased less than fourteen (14) days in advance.
    2. Higher fares are possible during peak travel times and when seats are limited on a particular train.
    3. Fares listed are for travel on either the Valley Flyer or the Vermonter.
    4. Discounted fares are available for Children (12 and under), Passengers with Disabilities, Seniors (65 and­ over), Military (active and retired), and members of the Rail Passengers Association. Further details on this link | Amtrak Everyday Discounts
    5. The sample fares listed are for tickets purchased on August 23, 2019 for travel between August 30 and September 28, 2019.

 

25% Discount on Valley Flyer Travel

Save 25% off the Amtrak fare when traveling on the Valley Flyer until October 31, 2019.

To use this discount enter Promo Code v459 when booking your ticket on the Amtrak website or app.

Note that this promotion does not apply to Amtrak tickets that involve travel beyond New Haven.

Amtrak’s Terms & Condition for this promotion can be found here.

 

Amtrak tickets

Amtrak tickets should purchased in advance on the Amtrak website [Amtrak.com] or on the Amtrak mobile app.

Tickets can also be purchased by calling Amtrak (1-800-USA-RAIL) or by visiting a staffed Amtrak ticket office, for example at Springfield Union Station.

Further information is available on Amtrak’s How to Purchase Tickets webpage.

 

Sample fares and ticket information for connecting Metro-North service

One-way Metro-North fare for travel from

      • New Haven, CT / Union Station
      • ⮂ Bridgeport, CT | $3.75
      • ⮂ South Norwalk, CT | $7
      • ⮂ Stamford, CT | $8.25
      • ⮂ New Rochelle, NY | $14
      • ⮂ New York, NY / Grand Central Terminal
      • Off-Peak | $17.75
    • Peak | $23.50
    • Senior | $11.75

     

    Important notes

      1. A penalty fare of up to $6.50 is added if the ticket is purchased on board a Metro-North train.
      2. Senior may purchase a ticket on-board a Metro-North train without paying the additional penalty fare.
      3. Peak fares apply to weekday trains that arrive in Grand Central Terminal (GCT) between 6 AM and 10 AM or that depart GCT between 4 PM and 8 PM.
      4. Discounted fares are available for Children (5-11), Seniors (65 and­ over), Disabled persons, Medicare recipients, and Active duty members of the armed forces.
      5. Further details and information can be found on this page | Metro-North Fares & Ticket Information

     

    Metro-North tickets

    Tickets can be purchased on the Metro-North app or from a Metro-North ticket vending machine.

    At New Haven Union Station, ticket machines can be found in the main waiting room.

     

    Background

    The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, the Franklin Regional Council of Governments and many elected officials in the region have been advocating for additional passenger rail service north of Springfield for many years now.

    Amtrak’s existing Vermonter service, while greatly preferable to no service at all, has drawbacks that are not easily overcome.

    Simply stated — the Vermonter only operates once a day in each direction, is scheduled and priced for longer-distance travel, and departs at a time of day that makes it impossible to travel south and return in the same day.

    Efforts to expand service north of Springfield stem from the completion of the Knowledge Corridor Passenger Rail Feasibility Study (PDF) in 2009. The study assessed the feasibility of future passenger rail improvements intended to reduce travel time, maximize accessibility, and provide viable transportation alternatives within the Knowledge Corridor.

     

    See also

    Other Rail Travel Options in the Pioneer Valley

    Amtrak Vermonter

    Hartford Line

     

    Further reading

    Amtrak and MassDOT Announce Start of New Valley Flyer Train Service in Western and Northern Massachusetts
    Amtrak Press Release | August 28, 2019

    Greenfield Pilot: Update (PDF)
    Presentation by the MassDOT Rail & Transit Administrator to the MassDOT Board of Directors | July 22, 2019

     

     

    Page last updated: September 12, 2019
    Page last reviewed: July 11, 2019