named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
East–West Rail Project
Advocacy for improved rail connectivity between Albany and Boston to enhance regional mobility
Empire Corridor Service Development Plan
Advocacy for improved and expanded intercity rail service along the Empire Corridor from New York City to Niagara Falls and Albany, based on the Tier 1 Final Environmental Impact Statement
Lakeshore Rail Alliance
Founding organizational member advocating for increased and improved train service along the Lake Shore Limited route between New York City and Chicago
State-Amtrak Intercity Passenger Rail Committee (SAIPRC) Engagement
Participation in multi-state collaboration to improve cost-sharing and service standards for state-supported passenger rail routes
activities · 2 groups
What they do
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Transportation Policy Advocacy & Infrastructure Reform 6 activities
- Advocacy for enhanced rail service schedules and performanceSecured expanded Amtrak Empire Service between New York Penn Station and Albany-Rensselaer effective March 16, 2026, including restored full service and expanded daily schedules, as well as expanded evening service with the last northbound train departing NYC at 11:25pm daily. Launched the "90 Now!" campaign to advocate for 90-minute rail service along key segments of the Empire Corridor.
- Advocacy for infrastructure improvements on the Empire CorridorAdvocated for the development, funding, and completion of key rail infrastructure projects including the new Schenectady, Buffalo, Rochester, and Niagara Falls stations; Moynihan Train Hall; Rhinecliff station accessibility; and track and platform expansions at Albany-Rensselaer. Also supported the Final Tier One Environmental Impact Statement for the Empire Corridor after a 14-year process.
- Direct support for station accessibility and bicycle access improvementsSupported the installation of carry-on bicycle racks on all Empire Service trains and advocates for ADA-compliant infrastructure such as the proposed 1000-foot high-level platform with canopy coverage and safe dispersal area at Rhinecliff station, alongside accessibility and parking improvements.
- Organization and leadership of passenger rail symposiaCo-organized the 2026 'Improving Passenger Rail In The Empire Corridor' symposium in Rochester, NY, bringing together stakeholders to discuss rail improvements.
- Public transportation advocacy across New York StateOperates a volunteer network that advocates for improved and expanded Amtrak and public transit services throughout New York State, including through testimony, campaign organizing, and engagement with state agencies and legislative bodies.
- Testimony and engagement in state transportation policy processesProvides expert testimony and advocacy input before state legislative committees and budget hearings, including the New York State Senate Standing Committee on Transportation and the 2025 New York State transportation budget hearing, focusing on passenger rail improvements and high-speed rail planning.
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Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Publication of member and public outreach materialsPublishes the ESPA Express Newsletter three times per year to inform members and the public about passenger rail developments and advocacy efforts.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$24K
Contributions & grants$2K7%
Program service revenue——
Investment income$1K5%
Other revenue$5K
expenses
Total expenses$18K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$59K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$59K
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue -7.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
board members · 4
- Bruce B Becker — Communication Director
- DeWain Feller — Director Western New York
- Philip Antweiler — Director
- Steve Strauss — Executive Director
relationships · 21
Who they work with
- Amtrak Partner — Advocates for improved and expanded Amtrak services in New York State
- Amtrak Partner — Collaborates with Amtrak on advocacy for full Empire Service restoration and expanded schedules on the Hudson Valley line.
- Amtrak Partner — Collaborates with Amtrak on service improvements, station developments, and fleet modernization efforts across New York State.
- Amtrak Partner — Engages with Amtrak services and infrastructure developments, including station improvements and service advocacy along the Empire Corridor.
- Empire Corridor Network — Active advocate for improving passenger rail service along the Empire Corridor, a designated Amtrak corridor in New York State.
- Empire State Passengers Foundation Partner — Co-organized the 2026 Passenger Rail Symposium in Rochester.
- Lakeshore Rail Alliance Coalition — ESPA is a founding organizational member advocating for improved Lake Shore Limited service between NYC and Chicago.
- MTA Partner — Engaged in discussions regarding potential Metro-North service expansion and coordination on Hudson Valley rail service.
- Metro-North Railroad Partner — Works with Metro-North Railroad on infrastructure and equipment upgrades, including the procurement of new dual-mode locomotives.
- Metropolitan Transportation Authority Government — Engages with the MTA on major capital projects affecting passenger rail service in New York, such as locomotive procurement and system expansions.
- NYS Senate Government — Engaged in policy discussions regarding high-speed train proposals on the NYS Thruway.
- NYSDOT Partner — Collaborates on reviewing and advancing the Rhinecliff station rehabilitation project.
- New York State Government — Works with state government to influence rail policy and service levels on the Empire Corridor.
- New York State Department of Transportation Government — Coordinates with NYSDOT on state-level transportation policy, funding, and implementation of passenger rail improvements.
- New York State Senate Standing Committee on Transportation Government — Engaged with the committee through testimony on passenger rail policy and planning.
- Rail Passengers Association Network — ESPA is represented on the Rail Passengers Association Council of Representatives, with multiple members serving as New York State representatives.
- Saratoga Chamber Partner — Collaborates with ESPA to advocate for extension of Empire Service to Schenectady and Saratoga.
- Schenectady business community Partner — Partners with ESPA in requesting New York State DOT and Amtrak to extend Empire Service to Schenectady.
- Siemens Mobility Inc. Partner — Supports Siemens' role in manufacturing new trainsets and dual-mode locomotives for Amtrak and Metro-North services in New York State.
- State Historic Preservation Office Partner — Engaged in developing a Memorandum of Agreement on mitigation actions for historic district impacts from station improvements.
- State-Amtrak Intercity Passenger Rail Committee (SAIPRC) Coalition — ESPA references and supports the work of SAIPRC, a multi-agency body overseeing state-supported passenger rail services.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Citizen-Led Advocacy Networkmethodology: citizen-led advocacy networkBy mobilizing a volunteer-based network of citizen advocates, the organization amplifies public demand for rail improvements, because grassroots engagement increases political will and sustains pressure for systemic change in passenger rail and public transit services.
- Humor as Sustained Engagement Strategymethodology: humor-based advocacyBy using humor and satire in communications, the organization maintains supporter engagement and morale during long-term infrastructure advocacy, because levity reduces burnout and increases message shareability amid slow-moving policy processes.
- Stakeholder Coalition Buildingmethodology: stakeholder-engagementBy convening diverse stakeholders—including government officials, business leaders, and rail advocates—the organization builds consensus around investments in higher-speed passenger rail, because cross-sector alignment strengthens advocacy credibility and accelerates policy adoption in Upstate New York.