Aecom and Network Rail to carry out Penn Station review

AMTRAK has selelected Aecom and Network Rail Consulting to conduct an independent review of interaction, coordination and collaboration between the passenger concourses of different railways at New York Penn Station.

The partners will also provide recommendations to improve the design, functionality, communications, and coordination at the United States’ busiest rail hub.

Penn station is owned by Amtrak with Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) individually managing their respective passenger concourses. Aecom and Network Rail will review these relationships and develop recommendations on how the three railways can work more effectively together. Amtrak has convened a working group of Amtrak, LIRR and NJ Transit staff to support the study.

The Aecom-Network Rail team will review management of daily operations within the three concourses, including during service disruptions, as well as look for opportunities to strengthen coordination between all parties to improve the passenger experience, safety and security. This analysis will be combined with national and international best practice to develop recommendations for a unified three-railway concourse operations centre.

The consultants will also provide an overall plan for improvements to Penn Station's passenger concourses that will include guidance on operations and maintenance partnerships as well as guidance on Amtrak's planned redevelopment of Penn Station in partnership with the private sector.

Work will begin on the project immediately and the team will make its recommendations early next year.