MTA Boss Accuses Amtrak Adviser Of ‘Gamesmanship’ Over Leaked Letter

NEW YORK, NY— MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber accused Amtrak adviser Andy Byford of “gamesmanship,” saying he used strategic tactics to gain an advantage after a Penn Station partnership proposal reached the press before him.

Lieber responded to Byford in a letter Monday night after Byford sent a “memorandum of agreement” proposal regarding the Penn Station project, as first reported by Streetsblog.

Lieber said Byford’s letter did not match its claims of good faith, noting that he received it at 7:31 a.m. on Monday only after news reports about its contents had already been published.

"News flash: that’s not partnership, that’s gamesmanship," Lieber wrote.

Byford had asked the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to sign a formal agreement similar to one already signed by New Jersey Transit for the federally backed Penn Station overhaul.

The MTA has instead relied on its leaseholder rights at the station following a shift in project control away from the authority.

Lieber rejected the proposal, arguing the agreement would weaken existing protections.

He said the MTA lease prevents Amtrak from making unilateral changes to Long Island Rail Road areas of Penn Station and restricts changes that would “unduly burden train operations.”

Lieber also questioned key elements of the project, including funding, cost structure and how private partners would benefit from the redevelopment.

He raised concerns about whether taxpayers would support portions of the work tied to Madison Square Garden property improvements and asked for clarity on overall project financing.

The exchange continues ongoing tension over control of the long-delayed Penn Station renovation, which federal officials have shifted toward a public-private partnership model involving Amtrak and private developers.

“We don’t need them to sign; we will proceed regardless,” Byford told Streetsblog. “Gov. Hochul gets that, the MTA does not, it would appear.”

Sean Butler, a spokesperson for Gov. Kathy Hochul, told Streetsblog that the federal government holds responsibility for the project as owner of the station and said New York State is not obligated to fund the overhaul, according to Streetsblog reporting.

Lieber said the MTA will continue to assert its lease rights as planning for the project moves forward.