The Federal Railroad Administration's announcement that Amtrak will oversee the renovation of Penn Station highlights a significant disconnect with regional transportation needs. Amtrak, which does not actually operate through Penn Station, is ill-equipped to handle its complexities and infrastructure demands. The situation is aggravated by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's simplistic view that safety and cleanliness are the primary goals. The legacy of Penn Station and the way it serves the metropolitan area's economy require a more nuanced approach that goes beyond mere management of the physical space, emphasizing the need for a modern rail network integration.
The fundamental insanity of the idea that Amtrak take over rebuilding Penn Station is that Amtrak does not use Penn Station.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stating that the takeover would make the station 'safe and clean' illustrates his complete lack of comprehension of the Penn Station rebuilding task.
It is not about a building; it is about a 21st-century rail network critical to the region's economy.
While it is true that Amtrak 'owns' Penn Station, that is only because, with the bankruptcy of the Penn Central Railroad in 1970, the federal government took over almost all the railroads in the Northeast.
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