MTA project to bring Metro-North trains to Penn Station is delayed

MTA Project Pushed Back by Three Years as Penn Station Train Connection Struggles to Get Off the Ground

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has admitted that its ambitious project to bring Metro-North trains to Penn Station and introduce four new stations in the Bronx is now at least three years behind schedule. The $2.9 billion Penn Access initiative, which aims to deliver 50% of planned service by 2027, is expected to be completed no earlier than 2030.

The MTA has attributed the delays to Amtrak, citing the federal rail line's refusal to close its tracks to allow for work to proceed on schedule. This latest development adds fuel to a growing feud between the two agencies, with the MTA accusing Amtrak of stalling and failing to deliver cooperation.

The project, which would send Metro-North trains from the Bronx through Queens to Penn Station via the Hell Gate Bridge, has already sparked concerns about increased costs and disruption to services. The temporary plan proposed by the MTA would involve operating Metro-North trains on existing tracks with limited service to four new stations in the Bronx.

MTA Chair Janno Lieber has expressed frustration with Amtrak's lack of cooperation, warning that the agency's failure to comply with agreements could undermine the integrity of the project. "This is deadly serious," Lieber said, referencing a notorious MTA project that cost $11.6 billion and opened in 2023 – more than three years behind schedule.

The latest development has sparked renewed calls for transparency and accountability from the MTA. As one Amtrak spokesperson put it, "We remain committed to this critical project, and being good stewards of taxpayer investment." However, with the project's cost expected to rise due to delays and the temporary service plan, concerns are growing that the final product will not meet its promised benefits for the Bronx community.

I don’t usually comment but... I think it’s pretty wild how a project meant to improve public transportation in the city is getting pushed back by three years. The cost of delays and changes is just gonna add up, like with that $11.6 billion MTA project from 2023 that was super delayed. What really gets me though is how Amtrak is blaming everyone else for the delays. Like, can’t they just take responsibility for once? And it's not just about the money, I worry that this delay will actually make things worse for the community in the Bronx who were expecting some much-needed upgrades.

I don’t usually comment but... I think it’s pretty worrying when big projects like this get delayed like this. Three years is a long time, especially when you're talking about public transport and people's lives. The MTA is already struggling with issues and now Amtrak is throwing a spanner in the works? It just doesn’t seem right. And I don’t know about the temporary plan but if it’s going to be limited service then what’s the point, right?

I'm also not sure why the project can't move forward faster. I mean, the MTA has got all this cash for it and Amtrak is still dragging its feet? It's like they're trying to get as much money out of this as possible. The cost is already expected to rise, so at least they should be upfront about that.

I know there are a lot of people counting on this project to improve their lives but with delays like this it's hard to see how that can happen. Maybe the MTA needs to rethink its strategy and find ways to get Amtrak on board faster?

It seems like another classic case of coordination fail between two big agencies. The MTA is already dealing with a ton of pressure from taxpayers and commuters, and now this project's delay just adds to the stress. Three years behind schedule? That's just not right. I mean, who wants to wait that long for better train connections?

And what's with the blame game between the MTA and Amtrak? Can't they just agree on a plan and stick to it? It feels like we're seeing more of the same old problems from our transportation agencies. I'm not buying the "we remain committed" line from Amtrak, though - actions speak louder than words!

Ugh, I just remembered I need to book a flight to Japan in 6 months ... anyway, have you guys tried that new ramen place downtown? It's so good! I went there with friends last weekend and we had the best time chatting about nothing . So, like, back to this Penn Station thingy... it's crazy how Amtrak is being all stubborn about it. Can't they just cooperate already? And what's up with the cost going up? Like, I get it, delays happen, but can we at least have a concrete plan now?

this is a joke right? like amtrak is just gonna sit there on those tracks all day waiting for mta to finish their project? come on guys, can't they just work together? and now we're gonna be stuck with a 3 year delay and less service than promised? what's the point of even having a train connection if it's gonna be like this?

I don’t usually comment but I'm a bit surprised about this whole thing. The MTA pushing it back by three years is huge. I mean, $2.9 billion is a lot of cash and you'd think they'd have things figured out by now. But I guess when Amtrak isn't on board, things can get stuck in the slow lane . It's frustrating for anyone trying to plan their life around this project. The alternative plan doesn't sound great either, like we're just gonna be using old tracks and hoping it all works out?

Ugh this is getting ridiculous ... I mean, I get it Amtrak has a lot on their plate but three years behind schedule? That's just too long! The MTA needs to take control of this project and make sure it gets done right, not just push the problem down the line. And now the cost is gonna go up even more? It's gonna be interesting to see how this all plays out...

omg u wont bliev wht's happnin w/ the MTA they're pushin back the penn access proj by 3 yrs like wat r they even doin over there? Amtrak is just makin it hard for them and now ppl r worried bout the cost & disruption to services lolol i feel bad 4 da bronx community tho, dey need dis proj janno lieber sounds so frustrated though can't blame him

I'm so annoyed by this news! Three years is a long time, especially when we're talkin' about transportin' people 'round the city. The MTA's got enough on their plate with the usual stuff, and now they gotta deal with Amtrak's lack of cooperation? It just doesn't make sense.

And I feel for the Bronx community, man... they were countin' on this project to bring some life to the area. Now it sounds like we're gonna have limited service at best, and that's just not fair. The cost is goin' up too, so it's like we're gettin' ripped off .

I'm not sure what's goin' on with these projects, but somethin's gotta change. We need transparency and accountability, for real. Can't have the MTA and Amtrak playin' games with our tax dollars. It's time to get it together, y'all!

Three more years? That's ages in transit time! I'm getting worried about the delays and the impact on commuters. The MTA needs to get a grip on this project ASAP ️.

What's up with Amtrak not cooperating? They're just stalling for time, right? It's frustrating when two agencies can't work together. We need transparency and accountability from both sides

The temporary plan proposed by the MTA sounds like a Band-Aid solution at best . What's wrong with the original plan to have Metro-North trains use the new tracks?

Janno Lieber is right; this project's integrity is at stake . We need it to be done on time, or else we'll just end up with a bigger bill and more headaches .

I don't think the MTA should have taken on this massive project in the first place . It's like they're playing with fire . What were they thinking?!

ugh, another massive infrastructure project getting derailed it's like they're trying to make penn station a nightmare even before we get there . three years behind schedule is a big deal, what if it ends up taking five or six? all this for $2.9 billion? that's like buying a brand new train every year and people are still worried about disruption to services? aren't they more worried about getting anywhere on time these days the temp plan sounds half-baked to me, just pushing trains through existing tracks with limited service... it's gonna be a mess

so like... mta is trying to do this huge thing with penn station and metro north trains but it's getting super delayed amtrak is being all slow about it which is super annoying mta chair is like "hey amtrak what's good?" but they just keep saying "we're on it"... meanwhile mta is over here trying to figure out how to get the train connection off the ground and the cost is going up because of all these delays

okay so like... i drew a little diagram to show what's going on:

+---------------+
| Penn Station |
| (new trains) |
+---------------+
|
|
v
+---------------+
| Hell Gate Bridge|
| (tracks for trains) |
+---------------+
|
|
v
+---------------+
| Bronx stations |
| (4 new ones) |
+---------------+

like... this is where the delays are happening and mta needs to figure out how to work around amtrak's stuff

OMG!!! I'm so disappointed to hear that Penn Station train connection is struggling . Three years behind schedule?!?! That's just crazy talk! What's going on with Amtrak, though? Can't they just work together with the MTA already?!? I get it, delays happen, but this one feels like a total mess . We need transparency and accountability from both agencies ASAP ! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we can still see progress by 2027 . And, omg, the temporary plan is so confusing . What does it even mean for the Bronx community?!? Let's keep following this and hope for the best !

Ugh , three more years? That's a long time! I'm starting to think this $2.9 billion project is going to be like all those other MTA projects where they just keep adding on new costs and delays... When are we gonna see some real progress around here? And can't Amtrak just get its act together already?!

omg I'm so boooed by this news ! 3 whole years?!? how can u even push back a project like that?!? it's already gonna cause such disruption to services and cost so much more than planned... what's Amtrak even doing?!? they need 2 step up their game ASAP. I feel bad for the Bronx community tho, they deserve good trains and reliable services . maybe mta should re-evaluate their plan or work w/ amtrak to find a solution that works

Ugh, I'm so frustrated with all these delays! I was literally counting down till the new train connection at Penn Station would be up and running, but now it's gonna take three more years? That's like, forever! I know the MTA is trying to do something amazing for the Bronx community, but how are they supposed to do that when Amtrak is holding them back? It's just so annoying. And the cost is already going to be super high... what if it ends up even more expensive than the $11.6 billion debacle a few years ago? That would be, like, ridiculous!

I mean, come on MTA... 3 whole years behind schedule? What's going on here? The delays keep piling up and it's all because of Amtrak refusing to cooperate. It's like they're trying to make us wait even longer. And now the cost is expected to rise even more? That's just great. I'm not sure how much more of this I can take, but I guess that's what happens when you have a project with so many moving parts .