Andy Byford

Andy Byford, with transit experience in multiple cities, is leading Amtrak's plan to rebuild Penn Station as part of the Trump administration's initiative. He has sought support along the East Coast but has not secured a meeting with MTA Chair Janno Lieber.

MTA Chair Janno Lieber accused the Trump administration of attempting to deceive the agency over the Penn Station redevelopment plan, citing a lack of MTA involvement since the project was taken over by federal authorities. Lieber criticized the Trump Department of Transportation and Amtrak's selection of a master developer and disputed the need for the MTA to sign a Memorandum of Agreement that would relinquish control over part of the station.

Amtrak senior adviser Andy Byford, previously NYC Transit President, urged the MTA to collaborate on the Penn Station rebuild. Byford resigned in 2020 during a public dispute with Andrew Cuomo and stated in a letter that the federal government will proceed with the project regardless of MTA cooperation.

The Trump administration and U.S. Department of Transportation took control of Penn Station's redevelopment, claiming the state-led effort was insufficient. The project, estimated at $7-8 billion, faces uncertainty over funding, with concerns that transit agencies may be forced to cover costs through higher fares. The editorial argues New York should not bear financial burdens for the overhaul.

Developers and Trump administration officials released renderings for a $7-8 billion Penn Station overhaul, featuring expanded space and a new entrance on Eighth Avenue. The project, led by Penn Transformation Partners, involves demolishing the Infosys Theater but does not relocate Madison Square Garden. Funding sources remain unspecified.

The Trump administration is advancing a new design for Penn Station, with Amtrak's special advisor Andy Byford expressing hope that the federal government will cover most of the project's costs.