The new funding deal will benefit commuters coming in and out of New York Penn Station.
Amtrak
2 min to read
The new funding deal will benefit commuters coming in and out of New York Penn Station.
Amtrak
At a press conference in New York Penn Station, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, Amtrak Board Chairman Tony Coscia, and NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Kevin Corbett announced the finalizing of a financial settlement that paves the way to ongoing and future improvements to the infrastructure, customer experience, and safety.
The press conference also shared updates on several joint projects, including Penn Station, critical infrastructure projects, and safety, showcasing a commitment to collaboration and improving the customer experience to the traveling public.
“This agreement represents a clean slate and a new era in our relationship with Amtrak,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Kevin Corbett. “In addition to continued infrastructure improvements and enhancing safety, this significant investment and strengthened partnership allows long-stalled major capital projects along the Northeast Corridor like County Yard and the Elizabeth Station Reconstruction project to advance. NJ TRANSIT will also have more input in the coordination and prioritization of these vital projects that will have a direct impact on improving the customer experience.”
Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT have jointly agreed to reinvest all of the funds that came from this — and other — agreements into existing and future joint Northeast Corridor infrastructure projects that benefit both Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT, as well as the safety and travel experience of their customers. That includes the Portal Bridge, as both organizations also highlighted that they are ready to begin full construction on Portal North as soon as federal funding is secured.
Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT also announced their plan for joint facility improvements, including the redesign of the Main (8th Avenue) Concourse, targeted for after Amtrak’s relocation of major passenger-facing facilities to Moynihan Train Hall in 2021, to provide expanded passenger facilities and customer amenities, a refreshed ticketed waiting room, better platform access, and improved street level entrances.
The announcement highlights the long-standing partnership between the Class I railroad and the commuter rail system, dating back to Metra's creation in 1983.
Crews completed a significant portion of the testing required before commissioning the new, digital signaling system, which will bring important upgrades that strengthen Red Line service reliability for riders and provide Red Line Operations the ability to route trains more quickly, turn trains around faster, and recover from unplanned disruptions more efficiently, said MBTA officials.
In addition to new projects, progress continues on a multiyear effort to upgrade track, electrical, and signal systems on the Metra Electric Line to accommodate the expansion of service on the South Shore Line.
The Maryland Transit Administration is advancing the nearly $1.4 billion Light Rail Modernization Program, which modernizes the Baltimore Central Light Rail Line from Hunt Valley to BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport with new, low-floor vehicles and upgrades to all light rail stations, systems, and maintenance facilities.
The Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board recently met for a budget workshop, during which staff outlined the significant service reductions Caltrain could be forced to make without new external funding.
Funding for the purchase of the railcars comes from the nearly $220 million in additional capital dollars Gov. Josh Shapiro allocated in November 2025 to support urgent safety upgrades and infrastructure improvements.
With major events and increased travel expected across the state this summer, the Administration is focused on making sure people have a reliable, affordable alternative to driving so we can reduce congestion, support daily commuters, and keep Massachusetts moving.
