Penn Station Transformation

Modernizing a Transit Hub, Enhancing Regional Rail Service

Amtrak, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), and New Jersey Transit (NJ TRANSIT)—collectively, the Railroad Partners—are working together to transform New York Penn Station (Penn Station) into a modern, world-class transportation hub with additional capacity to handle 21st century regional transportation needs. The original 1910 Penn Station facility, reconstructed in the 1960s, was designed to serve 200,000 daily passengers. The number of daily passengers is currently well above the station’s capacity and anticipated to grow in the future. Today, outdated aesthetics, accessibility, and navigation problems affect the customer experience, while antiquated and undersized systems hinder the ability to address issues of capacity, safety, and reliability.

Recent improvements such as the Moynihan Train Hall, new entrances at 32nd and 33rd Streets on 7th Avenue, and expansion of the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) Concourse, have improved accessibility, introduced more daylight to the station, relieved crowding, and improved the overall customer experience. The Railroad Partners intend to build on these recent improvements by continuing to invest in modern safety and mechanical systems, improve accessibility and egress, expand concourses, and enhance the station’s infrastructure to increase train capacity and service reliability.

The Penn Station Projects

Penn Station Reconstruction:

Amtrak, MTA, and NJ TRANSIT are jointly advancing the Penn Station Reconstruction Project, with the purpose of improving safety, railroad operations, and the customer experience within the existing station. Proposed improvements include increasing circulation space to relieve passenger crowding, increasing egress and accessibility to ease customer movement, upgrading climate control systems, and modernizing outdated and inefficient equipment and conditions. Visit the Penn Station Reconstruction page for details.

Penn Station Capacity Expansion:

The Penn Station Capacity Expansion Project will increase Penn Station rail capacity to accommodate a doubling or more of peak-hour passenger train service between New Jersey and New York. A critical component of the Gateway Program, and consistent with the long-term vision for the Northeast Corridor (NEC) established by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)’s NEC FUTURE Program, this project will support the service levels envisioned for the full Gateway Program and the provision of one-seat ride services from all 10 NJ TRANSIT rail lines that connect into the Northeast Corridor. These capacity enhancements will improve connectivity and mobility, and encourage economic growth. Visit the Penn Station Capacity Expansion page for details.

Other Initiatives

Learn about other projects and work already underway to ensure a modern transit experience for passengers traveling to and from Penn Station and along the Northeast Corridor.

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