June 1, 2021

The Honorable Pete Buttigieg 

U.S. Secretary of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Ave, SE 

Washington, DC 20590

Dear Secretary Buttigieg, 

The Metrics and Minimum Standards for Intercity Passenger Rail Service final rule set forth at 49 C.F.R. 

Part 273 and published by the Federal Railroad Administration (“FRA”) on November 16, 2020 (the 

“Final Rule”), introduces a certified schedule metric that requires Amtrak to report to the FRA the 

number of certified Amtrak schedules, uncertified schedules, and disputed schedules, by train, route, and 

host railroad. 

The Final Rule defines a “certified schedule” as a published Amtrak train schedule that Amtrak and the 

host railroad jointly certify is aligned with the customer on-time performance (“OTP”) metric and 

standard set forth in the Final Rule. The customer OTP metric is the percentage of all customers who 

arrive at their detraining point no later than fifteen (15) minutes after their published scheduled arrival 

time, reported by train and by route, and the customer OTP standard is eighty (80) percent for any two 

consecutive calendar quarters. See 49 C.F.R. 273.5(a)(1) & (2). 

As required by the Final Rule, Amtrak and Metro-North Commuter Railroad Company (MNRR) are 

transmitting this joint letter reporting the following schedules that remain uncertified as of May 17, 2021, 

as agreement has not been reached on whether the schedules are aligned with the customer OTP metric 

and standard: 

1. Acela Trains 2150, 2151, 2153, 2154, 2155, 2159, 2160, 2163, 2164, 2165, 2167, 2168, 2170, 

2171, 2172, 2173, 2175, 2190, 2249, 2250, 2251, 2252, 2253, 2254, 2255, 2256, 2257, 2258, 

2259, 2260, 2261, 2275 and 2290 

2. Adirondack Trains 68 and 69 

3. Ethan Allen Express Trains 290, 291, 292, 293, 295 and 296 

4. Maple Leaf Trains 63 and 64

5. New York – Albany Trains 230, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 250, 

252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 259, 260 and 261 

6. New York – Niagara Falls Trains 280, 281, 283, 284 and 288 

7. Northeast Regional Trains 132, 135, 136, 137, 139, 140, 141, 143, 146, 148, 149, 150, 161, 162, 

163, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 172, 173, 175, 177, 178, 179, 190 

8. Richmond/Newport News/Norfolk Trains 65, 66, 67, 82, 86, 95, 96, 157, 174 and 194 

AMTRAK

1 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20001

Email william.flynn@amtrak.com Tel 202-906-3963 

William J. Flynn

Chief Executive Officer
The Honorable Pete Buttigieg

June 1, 2021

Page 2

9. Roanoke Trains 171 and 176 

10. Vermonter Trains 54, 55, 56 and 57. 

Exhibit A details Amtrak’s position regarding the components of the train schedules upon which Amtrak 

and Metro-North have not yet agreed, signed by me. 

Exhibit B details MNRR’s position regarding the components of the train schedules upon which the 

parties have not yet agreed, signed by MNRR President Catherine Rinaldi. 

Amtrak and MNRR continue to meet regularly and hope to come to an agreement on the certification of 

all schedules. Please let us know if you have any questions regarding the information provided in this 

transmittal.

Sincerely,

William J. Flynn

Chief Executive Officer

Attachments 

cc: The Honorable Martin J. Oberman, Chairman, Surface Transportation Board 

 The Honorable Peter A. DeFazio, Chair, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. 

House of Representatives

 The Honorable Sam Graves, Ranking Member, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 

U.S. House of Representatives

 The Honorable Maria Cantwell, Chair, Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, 

U.S. Senate 

 The Honorable Roger Wicker, Ranking Member, Committee on Commerce, Science, and 

Transportation, U.S. Senate 

 The Honorable Rosa L. DeLauro, Chair, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. House of 

Representatives

 The Honorable Kay Granger, Ranking Member, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. House of 

Representatives

 The Honorable Patrick Leahy, Chair, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Senate 

 The Honorable Richard Shelby, Ranking Member, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Senate 

 The Honorable Don Beyer, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Senate 

 The Honorable Cory Booker, U.S. Senate 

 The Honorable Jamaal Bowman, U.S. House of Representatives
The Honorable Pete Buttigieg

June 1, 2021

Page 3

 The Honorable Brendan Boyle, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Anthony Brown, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Ben Cardin, U.S. Senate 

The Honorable Tom Carper, U.S. Senate 

 The Honorable Bob Casey, U.S. Senate 

 The Honorable David Cicilline, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Yvette Clark, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Ben Cline, U.S. House of Representatives

 The Honorable Gerry Connolly, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Chris Coons, U.S. Senate 

 The Honorable Joe Courtney, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Madeleine Dean, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Antonio Delgado, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Adriano Espaillat, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Dwight Evans, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Brian Fitzpatrick, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. Senate 

 The Honorable Bob Good, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Morgan Griffith, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Andy Harris, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Maggie Hassan, U.S. Senate 

 The Honorable Jahana Hayes, U.S. House of Representatives

 The Honorable Brian Higgins, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Jim Himes, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Steny Hoyer, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Chris Jacobs, U.S. House of Representatives

The Honorable Hakeem Jeffries, U.S. House of Representatives

 The Honorable Mondaire Jones, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Tim Kaine, U.S. Senate 

 The Honorable John Katko, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Ann McLane Kuster, U.S. House of Representatives

 The Honorable Jim Langevin, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable John Larson, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Elaine Luria, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Stephen Lynch, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Nicole Malliotakis, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Carolyn Maloney, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Sean Patrick Maloney, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Ed Markey, U.S. Senate

 The Honorable Donald McEachin, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable James McGovern, U.S. House of Representatives 
The Honorable Pete Buttigieg

June 1, 2021

Page 4 

 The Honorable Gregory W. Meeks, U.S. House of Representatives

 The Honorable Bob Menendez, U.S. Senate 

 The Honorable Grace Meng, U.S. House of Representatives 

The Honorable Kweisi Mfume, U.S. House of Representatives

 The Honorable Joseph Morelle, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Chris Murphy, U.S. Senate 

 The Honorable Jerrold Nadler, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Richard Neal, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Donald Norcross, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton, U.S. House of Representatives

 The Honorable Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Frank Pallone, Jr., U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Donald M. Payne, Jr., U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Ayanna Pressley, U.S. House of Representatives

 The Honorable Jamie Raskin, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Jack Reed, U.S. Senate 

 The Honorable Kathleen Rice, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Lisa Blunt Rochester, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Bernie Sanders, U.S. Senate 

 The Honorable John P. Sarbanes, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Mary Gay Scanlon, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Chuck Schumer, U.S. Senate 

 The Honorable Bobby Scott, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Jeanne Shaheen, U.S. Senate 

 The Honorable Albio Sires, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Christopher H. Smith, U.S. House of Representatives

 The Honorable Abigail Spanberger, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Elise Stefanik, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Thomas Suozzi, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Claudia Tenney, U.S. House of Representatives

 The Honorable Paul Tonko, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Pat Toomey, U.S. Senate 

The Honorable Ritchie Torres, U.S. House of Representatives

 The Honorable Chris Van Hollen, U.S. Senate 

 The Honorable Nydia Velazquez, U.S. House of Representatives

 The Honorable Mark Warner, U.S. Senate 

 The Honorable Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Senate 

 The Honorable Bonnie Watson Coleman, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Peter Welch, U.S. House of Representatives 

 The Honorable Jennifer Wexton, U.S. House of Representatives 
The Honorable Pete Buttigieg

June 1, 2021

Page 5 

 The Honorable Sheldon Whitehouse, U.S. Senate 

 The Honorable Rob Wittman, U.S. House of Representatives 
Exhibit A

Amtrak’s position regarding the disagreed upon components of the train schedules.

The Final Rule defines a “certified schedule” as a published train schedule that Amtrak and the host railroad 

jointly certify is aligned with the customer on-time performance (“OTP”) metric and standard set forth in 

the Final Rule. In order to determine whether a train schedule is aligned with the customer OTP metric, 

Amtrak developed an analytical framework to review each schedule and its alignment with the customer 

OTP metric. Fundamentally, the analytical framework confirms whether the schedule works to minimize 

passenger delay while giving riders the greatest opportunity to arrive at their destinations on-time. Several 

criteria, listed below, were rigorously analyzed to determine whether the schedule was appropriately aligned 

to the customer OTP metric.

1. Prior Customer OTP Schedule Modifications. If Amtrak and the host railroad previously 

agreed to modify the schedule to align with customer OTP, and no significant changes in 

passenger deboarding patterns were evident since that agreement, that schedule was determined 

to be aligned with the customer OTP metric. 

2. Strong Historical Performance. While certification directly relates to the schedule, not actual 

performance, if a train has regularly exceeded the minimum standard 80% customer OTP, that 

schedule was deemed to be aligned with the customer OTP metric. 

3. Recovery Time-Ridership Correlation. Amtrak performed a regression analysis for each 

schedule to calculate the correlation between the placement of recovery time in the schedule and 

the number of detraining riders at each station. If the regression result was strong (0.5 or more), 

the train schedule was determined to be aligned with the customer OTP metric. 

4. Recovery Time Distributed to Passenger Benefit. Amtrak developed a measurement of the 

schedule’s recovery time distribution to determine whether that time is effectively placed to help 

passengers. If the recovery time is placed in advance of detraining passengers to help them arrive 

on-time, then, based on a consistent calculation for all trains, the schedule was determined to be 

aligned with the customer OTP metric.

These criteria which Amtrak used as the basis to certify schedules were included in our December 18, 

2020 schedule certification proposal to Metro-North Commuter Railroad (MNRR). Several meetings were 

held with MNRR staff since that time to further explain the basis for our proposal to certify the schedules. 

This Exhibit A, which also includes these criteria, was provided to MNRR on May 6, 2021. 

Table 1 lists each uncertified train schedule by service and notes which criteria were met for each schedule

that led to Amtrak’s determination that the schedule is aligned with customer OTP. Amtrak looks forward 

to continuing to work with MNRR to certify the following schedules.

Sincerely,

William J. Flynn

Chief Executive Officer

Amtrak
Table 1: Amtrak Schedule Alignment Analysis Results by Train

Service Train

Train OriginDestination 

1. Prior Customer 

OTP Schedule 

Modifications

2. Strong Historical 

Performance 

3. Recovery TimeRidership 

Correlation

4. Recovery Time 

Distributed to 

Passenger Benefit 

Assessment based on 

Criteria

Acela 2150 Washington-Boston √ √ √ Aligned to Customer OTP

Acela 2151 Boston-Washington √ √ √ √ Aligned to Customer OTP

Acela 2153 Boston-Washington √ √ √ Aligned to Customer OTP

Acela 2154 Washington-Boston √ √ √ Aligned to Customer OTP

Acela 2155 Boston-Washington √ √ √ √ Aligned to Customer OTP

Acela 2159 Boston-Washington √ √ √ √ Aligned to Customer OTP

Acela 2160 Washington-Boston √ √ Aligned to Customer OTP

Acela 2163 Boston-Washington √ √ √ Aligned to Customer OTP

Acela 2164 Washington-Boston √ √ √ Aligned to Customer OTP

Acela 2165 Boston-Washington √ √ √ Aligned to Customer OTP

Acela 2167 Boston-Washington √ √ √ Aligned to Customer OTP

Acela 2168 Washington-Boston √ √ Aligned to Customer OTP

Acela 2170 Washington-Boston √ √ Aligned to Customer OTP

Acela 2171 Boston-Washington √ √ √ √ Aligned to Customer OTP

Acela 2172 Washington-Boston √ √ Aligned to Customer OTP

Acela 2173 Boston-Washington √ √ √ √ Aligned to Customer OTP

Acela 2175 Boston-Washington √ √ √ Aligned to Customer OTP

Acela 2190 New York-Boston √ √ √ Aligned to Customer OTP

Acela 2249 Boston-Washington √ √ √ √ Aligned to Customer OTP

Acela 2250 Washington-Boston √ √ √ Aligned to Customer OTP

Acela 2251 Boston-Washington √ √ √ √ Aligned to Customer OTP

Acela 2252 Washington-Boston √ √ Aligned to Customer OTP

Acela 2253 Boston-Washington √ √ √ √ Aligned to Customer OTP

Acela 2254 Washington-Boston √ √ Aligned to Customer OTP

Acela 2255 Boston-Washington √ √ √ √ Aligned to Customer OTP

Acela 2256 Washington-Boston √ √ √ Aligned to Customer OTP

Acela 2257 Boston-Washington √ √ √ √ Aligned to Customer OTP

Acela 2258 Washington-Boston √ Aligned to Customer OTP

Acela 2259 Boston-Washington √ √ √ √ Aligned to Customer OTP

Acela 2260 Washington-Boston √ √ √ Aligned to Customer OTP

Acela 2261 Boston-Washington √ √ √ Aligned to Customer OTP

Acela 2275 Boston-Washington √ √ √ √ Aligned to Customer OTP

Acela 2290 New York-Boston √ √ √ Aligned to Customer OTP

Adirondack 68 New York-Montreal √ √ √ Aligned to Customer OTP
Adirondack 69 New York

-Montreal√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Ethan Allen 

Express

290 New York-Rutland√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Ethan Allen 

Express

291 New York-Rutland√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Ethan Allen 

Express

292 New York-Rutland√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Ethan Allen 

Express

293 New York-Rutland√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Ethan Allen 

Express

295 New York-Rutland√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Ethan Allen 

Express

296 New York-Rutland√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Maple Leaf 63 New York-Toronto√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Maple Leaf 64 New York-Toronto√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

New York -

Albany

230 New York-Albany√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

New York -

Albany

232 New York-Albany√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

New York -

Albany

233 New York-Albany√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

New York -

Albany

234 New York-Albany√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

New York -

Albany

235 New York-Albany√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

New York -

Albany

236 New York-Albany√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

New York -

Albany

237 New York-Albany√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

New York -

Albany

238 New York-Albany√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

New York -

Albany

241 New York-Albany√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

New York -

Albany

242 New York-Albany√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

New York -

Albany

243 New York-Albany√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

New York -

Albany

244 New York-Albany√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP
New York 

-

Albany

245 New York-Albany√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

New York -

Albany

250 New York-Albany√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

New York -

Albany

252 New York-Albany√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

New York -

Albany

253 New York-Albany√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

New York -

Albany

254 New York-Albany√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

New York -

Albany

255 New York-Albany√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

New York -

Albany

256 New York-Albany√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

New York -

Albany

259 New York-Albany√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

New York -

Albany

260 New York-Albany√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

New York -

Albany

261 New York-Albany√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

New York -

Niagara 

Falls

280 New York-Niagara 

Falls

√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

New York -

Niagara 

Falls

281 New York-Niagara 

Falls

√ Aligned to Customer OTP

New York -

Niagara 

Falls

283 New York-Niagara 

Falls

√ Aligned to Customer OTP

New York -

Niagara 

Falls

284 New York-Niagara 

Falls

√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

New York -

Niagara 

Falls

288 New York-Niagara 

Falls

√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Northeast 

Regional

132 Washington-Boston√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Northeast 

Regional

135 Boston-Washington√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP
Northeast 

Regional

136 Washington-

Springfield

√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Northeast 

Regional

137 Boston-Washington√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Northeast 

Regional

139 Boston-Washington√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Northeast 

Regional

140 Washington-

Springfield

√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Northeast 

Regional

141 Springfield-

Washington

√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Northeast 

Regional

143 Springfield-

Washington

√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Northeast 

Regional

146 Washington-

Springfield

√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Northeast 

Regional

148 Washington-

Springfield

√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Northeast 

Regional

149 Boston-Washington√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Northeast 

Regional

150 Washington-Boston√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Northeast 

Regional

161 Boston-Washington√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Northeast 

Regional

162 Washington-Boston√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Northeast 

Regional

163 Boston-Washington√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Northeast 

Regional

166 Washington-Boston√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Northeast 

Regional

167 Boston-Washington√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Northeast 

Regional

168 Washington-Boston√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Northeast 

Regional

169 Boston-Washington√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Northeast 

Regional

170 Washington-Boston√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Northeast 

Regional

172 Washington-Boston√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Northeast 

Regional

173 Boston-Washington√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP
Northeast 

Regional

175 Boston-Washington√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Northeast 

Regional

177 Boston-Washington√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Northeast 

Regional

178 Washington-Boston√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Northeast 

Regional

179 Boston-New York√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Northeast 

Regional

190 Washington-Boston√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Richmond / 

Newport 

News / 

Norfolk

65 Boston-Newport 

News

√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Richmond / 

Newport 

News / 

Norfolk

66 Newport News-

Boston

√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Richmond / 

Newport 

News / 

Norfolk

67 Boston-Newport 

News

√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Richmond / 

Newport 

News / 

Norfolk

82 Richmond-Boston√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Richmond / 

Newport 

News / 

Norfolk

86 Richmond-Boston√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Richmond / 

Newport 

News / 

Norfolk

95 Boston-Norfolk√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Richmond / 

Newport 

News / 

Norfolk

96 Newport News-

Boston

√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Richmond / 

Newport 

157 Springfield-Norfolk√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP
News / 

Norfolk

Richmond / 

Newport 

News / 

Norfolk

174 Newport News-

Boston

√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Richmond / 

Newport 

News / 

Norfolk

194 Newport News-

Boston

√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Roanoke 171 Boston-Roanoke√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Roanoke 176 Roanoke-Boston√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Vermonter 54 Washington DC-St. 

Albans

√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Vermonter 55 Washington DC-St. 

Albans

√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Vermonter 56 Washington DC-St. 

Albans

√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP

Vermonter 57 Washington DC-St. 

Albans

√√√√ Aligned to Customer OTP
Page 1 of 2

Exhibit B 

Metro-North Commuter Railroad Company’s (“Metro-North”) position on the disagreedupon components of Amtrak’s train schedules. 

Metro-North, a New York State public benefit corporation and subsidiary of the Metropolitan 

Transportation Authority (“MTA”), operates the second-busiest commuter railroad in the country. 

Pre-COVID, Metro-North operated 713 weekday revenue trains carrying an average of 289,000 

weekday riders. Pursuant to certain Trackage Rights Agreements between Metro-North and 

Amtrak, Amtrak operates over Metro-North’s New Haven and Hudson Lines (Metro-North’s 

“territory”). Amtrak enters Metro-North’s New Haven Line territory in New Haven, CT and leaves 

the New Haven Line in New Rochelle, NY, continuing on to Penn Station in midtown Manhattan. 

Amtrak enters Metro-North’s Hudson Line territory in Poughkeepsie, NY and exits near Riverdale 

in the Bronx, NY, again continuing on to Penn Station. 

The Metrics and Minimum Standards for Intercity Passenger Rail Service, 49 C.F.R. Part 273, 

published by the Federal Railroad Administration (“FRA”) on November 16, 2020 (the “Final 

Rule”) defines a “certified schedule” as a published train schedule for Amtrak trains that Amtrak 

and the host railroad jointly certify is aligned with the Customer On-Time Performance (“OTP”) 

metric and standard set forth in the Final Rule. To ensure Amtrak’s train schedules meet the 

Customer OTP metric and standard, Metro-North needs to confirm that Amtrak trains have the 

necessary running time to traverse Metro-North’s territory without incurring delays. Amtrak’s 

trains traverse long distances; Metro-North has no control over events outside of its territory and 

must account for such unknowns in its review and certification of Amtrak’s schedules. 

All of the schedules Amtrak has asked Metro-North to certify were set prior to the COVID-19 

pandemic, and several of these pre-COVID trains have not been operating through the pandemic. 

Additionally, many schedules Amtrak has requested Metro-North to certify have not been provided 

by Amtrak to Metro-North for review. It is Metro-North’s position that certifying schedules (1) 

for Amtrak trains that have not been operating for over a year and/or (2) have not been reviewed 

or adjusted to account for pre and post-COVID-19 realities and ridership changes is premature. 

Amtrak has not provided Metro-North with information about how it developed its framework to 

review each schedule and its alignment with the Customer OTP metric. As such, Metro-North 

used the framework outlined below to analyze Amtrak’s schedules to determine whether the 

Amtrak schedules meet the Customer OTP metric and standard and can be certified. 

1. Does the Amtrak train currently operate? Due to COVID-19, in Spring 2020 Amtrak 

reduced the number of trains operating on Metro-North’s territory. Amtrak has returned a few 

trains to service, but many pre-COVID trains remain suspended. Metro-North is unaware of 

Amtrak’s plans to resume suspended services. 

2. Does Metro-North have a schedule for this Amtrak train? Train schedules provided to 

Metro-North of currently operating trains since May 2020 have been reviewed for certification. 

Train schedules not provided to Metro-North or that have been suspended since May 2020 were 

not analyzed for certification as Metro-North has no schedule to reference. 
Page 2 of 2

3. What actions has Metro-North taken? Metro-North has either analyzed schedules that 

Amtrak has provided to determine whether they can be certified, or Metro-North is awaiting a 

schedule proposal from Amtrak to review for certification. 

4. What is the definition of Metro-North’s calculated running time for Amtrak trains on 

Metro-North territory? This is Metro-North’s calculated schedule of pure running time, station 

stops, acceleration, braking, diverting movements and recovery time for Amtrak trains on MetroNorth territory in order for the schedule to be reliable and certifiable. 

5. What is the definition of Amtrak’s current running time? This is the current Amtrak 

schedule for the Amtrak train on Metro-North’s territory. 

6. What is the definition of running-time deficiency? This is the delta between Metro-North’s 

calculated running times and the current Amtrak schedule. 

The attached Table 1 lists each Amtrak train that Metro-North has not certified to date based on 

the framework and analysis identified above. The columns for Table 1 conform to the above steps. 

Metro-North is committed to working with Amtrak to certify its schedules and ensure its customers 

have the best possible ridership experience, and looks forward to working with Amtrak to resolve 

these differences. Metro-North proposes that the parties meet in June 2021, prior to the due date 

for the next letter. 

Very truly yours, 

Catherine A. Rinaldi 

President, Metro-North 
Train

(1) Train is Currently

Operating as of May

2021

(2) Schedule Provided to

Metro‐North between

May 2020 and May 2021

(3) Metro‐North Action

Taken

(4) MNR‐Calculated

Running Time (Minutes)

(5) Current Amtrak

Running Time (Minutes)

(6) Running Time

Deficiency

2150 Yes Yes Review for Certification 73 70 3

2151 No No Waiting for Schedule

2153 No No Waiting for Schedule

2154 Yes Yes Review for Certification 75 68 7

2155 Yes Yes Review for Certification 73 68 5

2159 Yes Yes Review for Certification 73 69 4

2160 No No Waiting for Schedule

2163 Yes Yes Review for Certification 73 70 3

2164 No No Waiting for Schedule

2165 No No Waiting for Schedule

2167 No Yes Waiting for Schedule

2168 No Yes Waiting for Schedule

2169 Yes Yes Review for Certification 73 72 1

2170 Yes Yes Review for Certification 73 67 6

2171 No No Waiting for Schedule

2172 No No Waiting for Schedule

2173 Yes Yes Review for Certification 73 72 1

2175 No No Waiting for Schedule

2190 No No Waiting for Schedule

2249 Yes Yes Review for Certification 73 71 2

2250 Yes Yes Review for Certification 73 71 2

2251 Yes Yes Review for Certification 75 73 2

2252 Yes Yes Review for Certification 73 72 1

2253 Yes Yes Review for Certification 75 72 3

2254 Yes Yes Review for Certification 73 70 3

2255 Yes Yes Review for Certification 73 72 1

2256 Yes Yes Review for Certification 73 72 1

2257 Yes Yes Review for Certification 73 72 1

2258 No No Waiting for Schedule

2259 Yes Yes Review for Certification 75 71 4

2260 No No Waiting for Schedule

2261 No Yes Waiting for Schedule
Train

(1) Train is Currently

Operating as of May

2021

(2) Schedule Provided to

Metro‐North between

May 2020 and May 2021

(3) Metro‐North Action

Taken

(4) MNR‐Calculated

Running Time (Minutes)

(5) Current Amtrak

Running Time (Minutes)

(6) Running Time

Deficiency

2275 No No Waiting for Schedule

2290 No No Waiting for Schedule

68 No No Waiting for Schedule

69 No No Waiting for Schedule

290 Yes Yes Review for Certification 75 70 5

291 Yes Yes Review for Certification 75 70 5

292 Yes Yes Review for Certification 75 70 5
Train

(1) Train is Currently

Operating as of May

2021

(2) Schedule Provided to

Metro‐North between

May 2020 and May 2021

(3) Metro‐North Action

Taken

(4) MNR‐Calculated

Running Time (Minutes)

(5) Current Amtrak

Running Time (Minutes)

(6) Running Time

Deficiency

293 No No Waiting for Schedule

295 No No Waiting for Schedule

296 No No Waiting for Schedule

63 Yes Yes Review for Certification 75 70 5

64 Yes Yes Review for Certification 75 71 4

230 No No Waiting for Schedule

232 Yes Yes Review for Certification 73 70 3

233 Yes Yes Review for Certification 75 70 5

234 Yes Yes Review for Certification 73 68 5

235 No No Waiting for Schedule

236 Yes Yes Review for Certification 75 70 5

237 Yes Yes Review for Certification 73 67 6

238 Yes Yes Review for Certification 75 70 5

241 Yes Yes Review for Certification 75 70 5

242 No No Waiting for Schedule

243 Yes Yes Review for Certification 75 70 5

244 Yes Yes Review for Certification 73 68 5

245 No No Waiting for Schedule

250 Yes Yes Review for Certification 75 70 5

252 No No Waiting for Schedule

253 Yes Yes Review for Certification 75 70 5

254 No No Waiting for Schedule

255 No No Waiting for Schedule

256 No No Waiting for Schedule

259 Yes Yes Review for Certification 75 70 5

260 Yes Yes Review for Certification 75 70 5

261 No No Waiting for Schedule

280 Yes Yes Review for Certification 73 68 5

281 Yes Yes Review for Certification 73 68 5

283 Yes Yes Review for Certification 75 70 5

284 Yes Yes Review for Certification 75 70 5

288 No No Waiting for Schedule
Train

(1) Train is Currently

Operating as of May

2021

(2) Schedule Provided to

Metro‐North between

May 2020 and May 2021

(3) Metro‐North Action

Taken

(4) MNR‐Calculated

Running Time (Minutes)

(5) Current Amtrak

Running Time (Minutes)

(6) Running Time

Deficiency

132 No No Waiting for Schedule

135 Yes Yes Review for Certification 79 78 1

136 Yes Yes Review for Certification 79 77 2

137 Yes Yes Review for Certification 79 71 8

139 Yes Yes Review for Certification 79 77 2

140 Yes Yes Review for Certification 79 75 4
Train

(1) Train is Currently

Operating as of May

2021

(2) Schedule Provided to

Metro‐North between

May 2020 and May 2021

(3) Metro‐North Action

Taken

(4) MNR‐Calculated

Running Time (Minutes)

(5) Current Amtrak

Running Time (Minutes)

(6) Running Time

Deficiency

141 Yes Yes Review for Certification 79 75 4

143 Yes Yes Review for Certification 79 77 2

146 Yes Yes Review for Certification 77 73 4

148 Yes Yes Review for Certification 79 76 3

149 No Yes Waiting for Schedule

150 Yes Yes Review for Certification 79 74 5

161 Yes Yes Review for Certification 79 77 2

162 Yes Yes Review for Certification 79 78 1

163 No Yes Waiting for Schedule

166 Yes Yes Review for Certification 79 78 1

167 Yes Yes Review for Certification 79 74 5

168 Yes Yes Review for Certification 79 76 3

169 Yes Yes Review for Certification 79 78 1

170 Yes Yes Review for Certification 79 78 1

172 Yes Yes Review for Certification 79 77 2

173 Yes Yes Review for Certification 79 77 2

175 Yes Yes Review for Certification 75 73 2

177 Yes Yes Review for Certification 79 75 4

178 Yes Yes Review for Certification 79 76 3

179 No Yes Waiting for Schedule

190 Yes Yes Review for Certification 79 77 2

65 Yes Yes Review for Certification 79 72 7

66 Yes Yes Review for Certification 79 76 3

67 Yes Yes Review for Certification 79 72 7

82 No Yes Waiting for Schedule

86 No No Waiting for Schedule

95 Yes Yes Review for Certification 75 70 5

96 Yes Yes Review for Certification 79 74 5

157 Yes Yes Review for Certification 79 78 1

174 Yes Yes Review for Certification 79 76 3

194 Yes Yes Review for Certification 79 76 3

171 Yes Yes Review for Certification 77 74 3
Train

(1) Train is Currently

Operating as of May

2021

(2) Schedule Provided to

Metro‐North between

May 2020 and May 2021

(3) Metro‐North Action

Taken

(4) MNR‐Calculated

Running Time (Minutes)

(5) Current Amtrak

Running Time (Minutes)

(6) Running Time

Deficiency

176 Yes Yes Review for Certification 79 76 3

54 No Yes Waiting for Schedule

55 No Yes Waiting for Schedule

56 No Yes Waiting for Schedule

57 No Yes Waiting for Schedule