METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Amtrak officials say Penn Station repairs ahead of schedule

COO Scot Naparstek “absolutely” expects full service to be returned by the day after Labor Day, adding that commuters should expect an on-time service of more than 90%.

August 21, 2017
Amtrak officials say Penn Station repairs ahead of schedule

Earlier this month, Amtrak said this summer’s overhaul was going so well that the agency is more likely than ever to push for future repairs next year.

Photo courtesy Amtrak

1 min to read


Earlier this month, Amtrak said this summer’s overhaul was going so well that the agency is more likely than ever to push for future repairs next year.

Photo courtesy Amtrak

NEW YORK — With just two weeks to go until a deadline for major repairs at Penn Station, Amtrak’s COO Scot Naparstek told NBC 4 New York the agency is ahead of schedule and “absolutely” expects full service to be returned by the day after Labor Day, adding that commuters should expect an on-time service of more than 90%.

It’s been six weeks since Amtrak started repairs on track infrastructure below Penn Station, America’s busiest rail hub. Naparstek said week six concluded without any significant issues and that crews spent time reassembling the interlocking at Interlocking A in the western part of the station. He added that there is a possibility Amtrak might finish the work a couple of days early, on Labor Day weekend.

Ad Loading...

Earlier this month, Amtrak said this summer’s overhaul was going so well that the agency is more likely than ever to push for future repairs next year. Amtrak is only fixing a small portion of the station this summer. In addition to a possible similar disruption in 2018, there’s also the possibility of several extended service outages sometime in the future. For the full story, click here.


More Rail

A New York MTA subway car with an open gangway
Railby Staff and News ReportsSeptember 16, 2026

New York MTA Advances Final Contract for Second Avenue Subway Expansion

Contract Four is the largest in the Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 project and includes construction of station infrastructure, tracks, and signals for the subway expansion, MTA officials said. Work on Contract Four will begin in 2027.

Read More →
A San Diego MTS Copper Line vehicle
Railby Staff and News ReportsSeptember 15, 2026

San Diego MTS Breaks Monthly Trolley Ridership Record

Agency officials said July’s ridership indicates MTS’s continued recovery from the pandemic.

Read More →
NJ TRANSIT's new Multilevel III commuter railcar manufactured by Alstom
Railby Alex RomanSeptember 14, 2026

Report Examines NJ TRANSIT Reliability, Funding Challenges

The Garden State Initiative analysis examines the roles of Amtrak infrastructure, fleet management, and agency operations while recommending a more performance-based approach to improving reliability.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A CapMetro commuter rail train provided by Stadler
Railby Staff and News ReportsSeptember 11, 2026

Stadler, CapMetro Sign Long-Term Rail Fleet Support Agreement

Beginning in 2027, Stadler will provide on-site technical expertise, spare parts support, training, and obsolescence management to help extend the reliability and longevity of CapMetro’s GTW fleet.

Read More →
Rendering of an Alstom train in a VIA Rail Station
Technologyby Alex RomanSeptember 10, 2026

Biz Briefs: Alstom Lands Canadian Contract, LYT to Supply California TSP, and More

In METRO's latest installment, we take a look at recent news from Complete Coach Works, Beep, FlixBus, and more partnerships making headlines across the transportation sector.

Read More →
The CATS Gold Line in service with the city skyline in the background.
Railby Staff and News ReportsSeptember 3, 2026

CATS Gold Line Marks 5 Years of Service, 2.8M Passenger Trips

With a six-mile expansion planned, the Charlotte streetcar is positioned to connect more neighborhoods and major transit hubs across the region.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Designing Stations Around the Passenger
RailSeptember 2, 2026

Why Simulating Pedestrian Movement Has Become Essential for Modern Rail Stations

Pedestrian microsimulation is helping rail planners identify bottlenecks, test station designs, and prepare complex transit hubs for growing passenger volumes.

Read More →
Amtrak Sunnyside Groundbreaking
Railby Staff and News ReportsSeptember 2, 2026

Amtrak Begins Major Construction at New York’s Sunnyside Yard

The new maintenance facility will support Amtrak’s Airo trainsets while improving maintenance efficiency and turnaround times in New York.

Read More →
O'Hare Flyer Rendering
Railby Staff and News ReportsAugust 27, 2026

Chicago Leaders Unveil Plans for O’Hare Airport Express Train

The privately developed project would offer a 15-minute trip between downtown and O’Hare’s Terminal 2, with trains operating every 15 minutes on a dedicated track. The service would use battery-electric trains and three existing freight rail rights-of-way.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
An OCTA coastal rail line train.
Railby Staff and News ReportsAugust 27, 2026

OCTA Maps Out 30-Year Strategy to Protect Coastal Rail Corridor

The draft feasibility report identifies strategies to protect the coastal rail line for decades as the agency continues near-term stabilization and sand placement efforts.

Read More →