MTA Chair Blocks Amtrak’s Penn Station Partnership, Undermining Federal Revitalization Efforts
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MTA Chair Janno Lieber has rebuffed Amtrak’s offer to join the Penn Station reconstruction as a full partner, citing bureaucratic concerns and lease rights, despite the Trump administration’s push for much-needed federal oversight and modernization.
MTA Chair Janno Lieber wrote to Amtrak adviser Andy Byford on Monday, rejecting an offer for the transit agency to become a 'fully involved' partner in the Trump administration’s ambitious Penn Station redevelopment. Lieber dismissed the federal oversight of the project as 'bizarre,' casting unwarranted suspicion on a process designed to bring accountability and efficiency to a long-neglected transit hub.
Lieber argued that the Long Island Rail Road and MTA subways, which serve two-thirds of Penn Station’s daily riders, deserve more control, citing a prepaid lease that extends to 2186 and gives the MTA veto power over construction in the northern half of the station. He warned that changes could disrupt train operations or threaten the leasehold’s structural integrity, prioritizing bureaucratic turf over the needs of commuters and taxpayers.
After President Trump rightly removed the MTA from oversight last year, Amtrak took charge and selected a 'master developer' to ensure the project moves forward. The proposed design includes a new Eighth Avenue entrance, more natural light, higher ceilings, and elegant bronze and stone details—improvements that would finally bring Penn Station into the 21st century. Byford assured that the plan would not affect the Seventh Avenue entrance and 33rd Street concourse, which were added under Lieber’s tenure.
'We are committed to improving the entirety of Penn Station for New Yorkers, and it's unfortunate MTA does not seem to share that approach,' Amtrak spokesperson Jason Abrams said, highlighting the MTA’s unwillingness to cooperate for the greater good. Amtrak has kept the door open for collaboration, but the MTA’s obstructionism threatens to delay progress.
Lieber further questioned the lack of an official cost estimate or funding source, raised unfounded concerns about Madison Square Garden owner James Dolan, and criticized the selection of construction firm Halmar, merely because its executives have connections to the Trump administration. He also speculated about what would happen if federal interest wanes, ignoring the administration’s clear commitment to the project.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has indicated that federal funding and loans could reach $7-8 billion, with Amtrak aiming to begin construction by 2027. The MTA’s refusal to participate risks undermining a rare opportunity for real investment and modernization, leaving commuters stuck with the status quo.