PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Friday evening, the first Amtrak Berkshire Flyer train from New York City will arrive in downtown Pittsfield.

“This is a real boost and a real shot in the arm to our third largest sector in the Berkshires, being tourism and cultural affairs,” said Berkshire state senator Adam Hinds. “And so this is a way to bring more people into the region.”

Hinds said they anticipate a couple thousand people to use the new weekend service this summer, based on steering committee studies.

Passengers will be greeted at the station by a new ‘Welcome to Pittsfield mural’. Local artist Jesse Tobin McCauley said she wanted to help visitors feel welcomed and excited about their trip.

“Just happiness that they’re here, they’ve arrived, and they’re starting their weekend with some excitement,” said McCauley about the mural’s message. “I think this gives a vibe of fun, and hopefully that will kind of propel you into a really cool, fun weekend in the Berkshires.”

The county’s only public transport system is the BRTA bus lines, so there have been questions about how people will get around once they’re here.

Hinds said the committee has arranged for plenty of options to be available.

“There will be rental cars right across the street, which you can book in advance,” said Hinds. “There will be shuttle services, a $20 flat fee to go anywhere door-to-door in the county, so one going north and one going south. We also have regular taxis and Uber and Lyft.”

Hinds hopes this new link with New York will benefit the entire county, and if all goes well, it could generate momentum to establish more rail connections to the region.

“We’ve really seen even folks in northern county and southern county recognizing that this is a nice link,” said Hinds. “It’s happening as we’re seeing more and more attention to investing in rail from Pittsfield to Boston as well, and so there’s a real excitement and we hope that this will be a strong summer.”