Feds, Amtrak Take Control of Penn Station Project

The Trump administration has removed the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) from leadership of the Penn Station renovation, placing Amtrak and the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) in charge. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the shift, which includes a rescoping and reduction of federal grants and is expected to save taxpayers $120 million, utilizing a public-private partnership model. The decision comes amid federal and New York disputes over issues such as congestion pricing, with federal officials criticizing MTA's efficiency. Governor Kathy Hochul supported the move, noting significant potential savings for New York taxpayers and crediting her meetings with President Trump for federal funding. However, it remains unclear which renovation plan will be chosen and how cost savings will be realized. The change has raised questions about stakeholder involvement, as Amtrak owns Penn Station but most users are MTA and NJ Transit commuters.