Amtrak, MTA, and New Jersey Transit say they have completed an “exhaustive study” and concluded that the only way to expand service is to destroy two blocks of Midtown Manhattan and build a $16 billion dead-end, underground terminal for New Jersey Transit.
Re-Think Penn Station NYC says their through-running plan would greatly increase capacity, help the entire region, and prevent the demolition of historic homes, businesses, and a lovely 150-year-old church.
The Conservancy and colleague groups have been calling for an independent study of through-running. Our petition has already garnered some 1,800 signatures.
Penn Station was created with through-running for Amtrak trains, which continue to other destinations. But the railroads claim that expanding through-running wouldn’t meet the goal of doubling the number of trains in and out of Penn.
We still believe an independent study is needed. It wouldn’t take long, and it would settle any temptation to conclude that the railroads got the answer they wanted. It’s hard to believe the elected officials involved aren’t questioning the railroads’ conclusion.
This project will require billions in public money. The electeds should ensure it will be well spent.
Along with this study, the MTA has proposed some scaled-back improvements at Penn itself. Our airports will be world-class. Our new bus station is expected to be first-class without destroying its neighborhood. Only Penn seems to be headed for some “ok” upgrades. There’s no mention of the wonderful 21st-century station the Governor once envisioned.
There is still time. There still could be, and should be, an independent review of through-running.
We deserve a first-class Penn Station. We don’t deserve the bulldozing of blocks of Midtown.
Please add your name to our petition asking Governor Hochul for an independent review.