Agreement
allows for eventual Metro-North Commuter Rail Service to and from New York Penn
Station and for Amtrak service in Long
Island
NEW
YORK – The Amtrak Board of Directors has approved an agreement with the Metropolitan
Transportation Authority (MTA) to advance two key proposed initiatives: Metro-North
commuter rail service to and from New York Penn Station and Amtrak intercity
passenger rail service to and from Long Island.
“We are pleased to have
reached an agreement that will allow for the MTA to advance with design and
construction of improvements related to the Penn Station Access project, the
eventual operation of new Metro-North commuter rail service into New York Penn
Station and construction of four new commuter rail stations in the Bronx,” said Amtrak Senior Executive Vice
President Stephen Gardner. “We are also looking
forward to working together on advancing direct Amtrak service to and from key
population centers on Long Island. We appreciate the support we received from Senator
Schumer and Governor Cuomo in reaching this agreement.”
The
agreement will allow the parties to continue their joint commitment to the Penn
Station Access project, which will include advancing the design and eventual
construction of additional infrastructure on the Hell Gate Line. These
improvements are essential in enabling Metro-North service between New York
Penn Station, the Bronx and Southwestern Connecticut.
The Penn Station Access project includes upgrading the
right-of-way with new tracks, switches and station platforms, as well as power,
signal, communication and infrastructure modifications needed to allow new
commuter rail service. The MTA will fund all costs of this infrastructure investment
and has also agreed to share in the future costs of operation, maintenance and
recapitalization of this line.
Additionally,
Amtrak and the MTA will begin planning for the eventual operation of Amtrak
direct intercity service between Long Island and New York Penn Station. This access will allow for through
and connecting service from Long Island to other Amtrak destinations throughout
region, the Northeast Corridor and the Nation.