Senator Phillips: Amtrak Must Include MTA in Plans to Solve Ongoing Problems at Penn Station

“Yesterday, LIRR commuters were forced to endure another nightmare at Penn Station which caused delays, cancellations and overcrowding which was so bad that the police restricted access to the station.  Amtrak must ensure that its plans to fix Penn Station do not cause LIRR riders even worse problems.

Amtrak’s in-development plan to fix the numerous infrastructure issues plaguing the station’s tracks and tunnels could potentially have major impact on service into and out of the station for the over 650,000 people who pass through it each day.  As the largest user of Penn Station, the MTA-LIRR needs to have a seat at the table and a say in the process as this plan is being put together.  Long Island commuters deserve a transparent, open and accountable process.

What LIRR riders have dealt with at Penn over the last several weeks is completely unacceptable.  MTA-LIRR is the agency best equipped to offer guidance as to how to minimize LIRR service disruptions, communicate with passengers and, ultimately, the one most concerned about the needs of LIRR commuters.  They must be part of the solution, because they’re certainly being affected by the problem.”