Amtrak Weighs Move To Grand Central During Summer Improvement Work

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — Amtrak is considering relocating some of its train service to Grand Central Terminal during obstructive construction work planned for Penn Station this summer, according to reports and officials. Amtrak owns and operates Penn Station — which has had its fair share of troubles in recent months.

Nothing has been finalized, but moving some of the 12 daily trains Amtrak runs out of Penn Station have been discussed, Politico reported. An Amtrak spokesman told Patch that the company is "reviewing all possible options to accommodate our customers during the New York Penn Station Infrastructure Renewal Program."

An MTA spokeswoman did not specifically confirm that Amtrak may use of Grand Central Terminal this summer, but did tell Patch that "conversations on service and schedules with Amtrak continue."

The ability to move Amtrak service to Penn Station during the construction work could benefit passengers, Gary Prophet of the Empire State Passengers Association told Politico.

"To be able to have that option and alleviate some of the sheer number of trains going into Penn Station … is a good option," Prophet told POLITICO. "I’m sure there are people who would enjoy this experience, but my understanding is it’s only temporary."

This summer, Amtrak will attempt to complete two- or three-years worth of track improvement work in a matter of months, meaning construction crews will be performing disruptive work during weekday commuting hours. Amtrak CEO Wick Moorman has not yet revealed when most of the construction work will take place, or how it will affect commuters. Penn Station is owned and operated by Amtrak, but most of its passengers use New Jersey Transit or the Long Island Railroad to enter the station.

Moorman recently testified that he has been "very impressed" with how Amtrak has maintained Penn Station despite two train derailments, a police-induced panic, overcrowding and a leak that rained sewage from the station's ceiling.

Photo by m01229 via Flickr/Creative Commons