Amtrak is looking to make improvements to its station at Greensburg beginning in 2026, while upgrades at the Latrobe station are set to get underway this year.
The station projects, which include improved features for handicapped accessibility, come as Amtrak is planning to expand its passenger service between Pittsburgh and New York City from one daily trip each way to two trips.
The Greensburg project, which is in the design phase, includes two new restrooms and two newly designated parking spaces that will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Amtrak also plans to install ADA-compliant automatic entrance doors and to relocate an existing wheelchair lift enclosure.
“Not only will there be upgrades to the building but also to the platforms and the handicapped accessibility of the station,” Greensburg Mayor Robb Bell said. “These combined upgrades, we think, will make the station easier to access and provide for a more enjoyable experience for Greensburg residents and travelers from the surrounding communities.”
“Improvements for ADA access and upgrades are necessary for patron safety, access and comfort,” Greensburg Councilman Gregory Mertz said. “Not to mention our train station is the first part of Greensburg that visitors by train see. This is a priority improvement.”
Passengers use stairs or an elevator to get from the Greensburg station, at Ehalt Street and Harrison Avenue, to the elevated train platform. A tunnel underneath the tracks provides access to the side of the platform closest to Seton Hill Drive.
Amtrak’s Greensburg project additionally calls for constructing new concrete stairs from the platform to the tunnel level, adding new stair and elevator platform enclosures, replacing a low-level concrete platform and relocating existing platform canopy structures. New lighting is slated for the platform.
Amtrak said it’s seeking approval of the Greensburg project design from other stakeholders — including Norfolk Southern Corp., which owns the railway, the Federal Railroad Administration, Pennsylvania’s State Historic Preservation Officers and the station building owner, Chelsted Limited Family Partnership.
The Greensburg train station was constructed in 1908 and opened in 1910. It was last renovated in 1998.
The historic station has been home to a series of restaurants — including current occupant Olives & Peppers, which opened its Greensburg location in December 2020. Other tenants of the Greensburg station include Steep Mountain Tea Co., an insurance office and an office for state Rep. Eric Nelson.
Greensburg’s planning director, Alec Italiano, said the local train station project dovetails with the city’s emphasis on boosting active transportation — alternate forms of getting from one place to another that don’t involve driving a passenger car.
“It will make public transportation more accessible,” he said, noting the station is “a gateway to Greensburg. It’s a good way to travel and get in and out of Greensburg. That extra access is really important.”
At the Latrobe station, Amtrak plans to install a new ADA-compliant ramp, with canopy, to provide improved access from the parking area along McKinley Avenue to the platform.
Existing concrete stairs, currently the only way to access the platform, will be replaced with new stairs.
A concrete platform will replace the existing surface of brick pavers, and the adjacent passenger shelter will see improvements.
New lighting will be installed, along with accessible walkways, and the parking area will be repaved.
“The vital role rails have played in the development of Latrobe elevates the need for the updates that are coming around the bend,” said Latrobe Mayor Eric Bartels.
Latrobe’s historic original Pennsylvania Railroad station, a Victorian-style brick building on McKinley Avenue, was constructed in 1903. It previously was preserved and now houses DiSalvo’s Station Restaurant.
“This is great news for our historic train stations in Westmoreland County,” said state Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward. “We look forward to working with Amtrak to ensure safety through modernization as ridership continues to hit record highs at the Greensburg and Latrobe stations, and as we continue to explore ways to increase the use of rail services and routes.”
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Mark Spada, president of Western Pennsylvanians for Passenger Rail, said progress on the two Westmoreland station projects is “good news for travelers. With the additional (Amtrak) service planned for late next year, we’re anticipating an uptick in ridership. The upgrades to the stations couldn’t come at a better time.”
PennDOT has committed $200 million for rail corridor upgrades by Norfolk Southern that will allow for expanded Amtrak service between Pittsburgh and New York City, via Harrisburg. The rail improvements are meant to ensure passenger trains can run on time and don’t have wait for freight traffic.
Amtrak’s Pennsylvanian route between Pittsburgh and New York City — which receives PennDOT funding — attracted 233,942 riders last fiscal year, up from 192,724 in 2023.
About 11,500 Amtrak travelers used the Greensburg station in 2024, generating $781,708 in ticket revenue. Ridership there increased from about 10,000 in 2023 and 8,300 in 2022.
Ridership figures at Latrobe increased from 2,796 in 2022 to 3,177 in 2023 — sitting at 3,404 in 2024, with $220,247 in ticket revenue.