{"id":21219,"date":"2025-10-29T13:19:11","date_gmt":"2025-10-29T13:19:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/21219\/"},"modified":"2025-10-29T13:19:11","modified_gmt":"2025-10-29T13:19:11","slug":"amtrak-delay-sparks-mta-legal-action","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/21219\/","title":{"rendered":"Amtrak Delay Sparks MTA Legal Action"},"content":{"rendered":"

Amtrak faces potential legal action from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)<\/a> because its delays have pushed the $2.9 billion Penn Station Access Project<\/a> back three years, from 2027 to at least 2030.<\/p>\n

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Amtrak\"Amtrak<\/a>Photo: wikipediaAmtrak\u2019s Role in the Penn Station Access Dispute<\/p>\n

MTA leaders accuse Amtrak<\/a> of repeatedly missing scheduled track outages, which has slowed work on Metro-North\u2019s Bronx expansion. Jamie Torres-Springer<\/a>, MTA\u2019s construction chief, said Amtrak committed to 30 annual outages but rarely met that target.<\/p>\n

In 2022, only two of ten planned weekend closures occurred. By 2023, the railroad provided just five of 38 planned 55-hour shutdowns. These shortfalls, MTA claims, wasted valuable resources and extended construction timelines.<\/p>\n

Because of the mounting frustration, the MTA commissioned an independent review that blamed Amtrak for most of the disruption. The agency demanded a recovery plan by November 12 or threatened to escalate with legal proceedings.<\/p>\n

The total budget remains at $2.867 billion, though rising costs could increase risk exposure. So far, contractors have completed just 39 percent of the project, highlighting the urgency to resolve the dispute.<\/p>\n

Amtrak Responds and Defends Its Investments<\/p>\n

Amtrak<\/a> denies wrongdoing, emphasizing that it remains committed to completing the Penn Station Access Project efficiently. It claims to have invested $140 million and expanded its workforce by 190 percent to support the MTA.<\/p>\n

The company also cites more than 55-hour track closures and several long-term outages already delivered. Moreover, Amtrak says it updated worker-safety rules to help MTA contractors perform more work safely and quickly.<\/p>\n

Despite disagreements, both sides acknowledge the project\u2019s transformative value. The Penn Station Access Project will connect Metro-North riders from the Bronx to Manhattan\u2019s West Side in under 30 minutes through four ADA-accessible stations: Hunts Point, Morris Park, Parkchester\/Van Nest, and Co-op City.<\/p>\n

If completed on schedule, the expansion will ease congestion, cut travel times, and strengthen regional mobility. But further delays could undermine one of New York\u2019s largest commuter-rail investments in decades.<\/p>\n

Source: www.thetravel.com<\/a><\/p>\n

News on railway transport<\/a>, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed:<\/p>\n

Why is Amtrak facing criticism from the MTA?<\/p>\n

\nThe MTA claims Amtrak failed to provide enough track outages, slowing construction and delaying the project\u2019s opening by at least three years.<\/p>\n

What is the goal of the Penn Station Access Project?<\/p>\n

\nIt aims to connect the Bronx directly to Penn Station via four new Metro-North stations, improving access to Manhattan\u2019s West Side.<\/p>\n

Could Amtrak face legal action over the delays?<\/p>\n

\nYes. The MTA warned that if Amtrak doesn\u2019t present a revised plan by November 12, it may pursue legal steps to enforce compliance.<\/p>\n

Find the latest news of the railway industry in Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union and the rest of the world on our page on Facebook<\/a>, Twitter<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a>, read Railway Supply magazine online<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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