With ongoing track and switch work at New York’s busy Penn Station, delays and service interruptions are increasing.
Following a string of infrastructure-related problems at the station, Amtrak announced plans to take three tracks out of service for much of July and August to replace aging track components. Amtrak described the coming months as a challenging period and released a heavily modified schedule for trains serving the station.
“While we regret that this work requires some reduction in train service and disruption to passengers over the summer months, we believe it will ultimately be worth the investment in terms of increased reliability of passenger rail travel,” said Wick Moorman, former CEO and president of Amtrak. He added that the railroad would use measures such as lengthening trains to preserve capacity for intercity travelers to and from New York.
The plan requires the Long Island Rail Road, Penn Station’s primary tenant, to reduce rush-hour service into and out of the station by roughly 20 percent. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority unveiled a mitigation plan that includes supplementing reduced train service with bus and ferry options to help commuters.
Amtrak will cancel three daily round-trip Northeast Regional trains between New York and Washington, D.C., from July 10 through Sept. 1; service on Northeast Regional trains between New York and Boston will continue as scheduled. Amtrak’s Keystone Service between Philadelphia and Harrisburg will remain in operation, but three daily round-trip trains will begin and end in Philadelphia while one train will begin and end in Newark, N.J., instead of using Penn Station. Local commuter rail operations at Penn Station will also see reductions, affecting carriers such as New Jersey Transit and the LIRR.
Passengers traveling through Penn Station this summer should expect altered schedules, longer travel times, and the potential need to use alternate modes provided by transit agencies. Travelers are advised to check carrier websites and official service alerts for the latest schedule updates, platform information, and recommended travel alternatives before heading to the station.