The Trump administration has fired the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in its efforts to revamp the Penn Station in New York City and has said that the federal government will be taking on the project.
In an announcement from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Amtrak will lead the renovation in a “public-private partnership model.”
“President Trump has made it clear: the days of reckless spending and blank checks are over,” Duffy said in a press release. “New York City deserves a Penn Station that reflects America’s greatness and is safe and clean. The MTA’s history of inefficiency, waste, and mismanagement also meant that a new approach is needed. By putting taxpayers first, we’re ensuring every dollar is spent wisely to create a transit hub all Americans can take pride in.”
The project will be backed by the US Department of Transportation. According to the New York Post, Governor Kathy Hochul has been in contentious talks with the Trump administration over the project of Penn Station.
Governor Hochul responded with some sarcasm as she framed as Trump’s takeover of the long-stalled Penn Station project, saying that Trump is going to sink funds while New York state saves cash that was allocated to the project.
“In multiple meetings with President Trump, I requested that the federal government fund the long-overdue overhaul of Penn Station. Clearly that effort has been successful, and I want to thank the President and Secretary Duffy for taking on the sole responsibility to deliver the beautiful new $7 billion station that New Yorkers deserve,” she said in a statement.
She also signaled her unwillingness to provide the $1.3 billion in funding that New York lawmakers committed to the project four years ago.
“This is a major victory for New Yorkers, and the use of federal funds will save New York taxpayers $1.3 billion that would have otherwise been necessary for this project,” she said.
Duffy took the opportunity to slam the MTA, as well as tout how the Trump administration would be saving taxpayer funds by taking over the project.
