MTA Reaches Deal With Amtrak on Metro-North Expansion

MTA officials say there is now a deal with Amtrak to move forward on four Bronx stations for Metro-North, with the first ever Metro-North service to New York Penn Station.

The plan calls for new Metro-North stops in Co-op City, Morris Park, Parkchester/ Van Nest and Hunts Point and bring those commuters, plus those from New Rochelle, to New York Penn Station.

Despite decades of discussions, a $750 million plan to expand Metro-North approved by the MTA roughly four years ago has been slow to get off the ground. 

Amtrak did not immediately respond to NBC 4 New York's request for comment.

However, in a statement last month, Amtrak said the delay in going forward with the new stations had to do with the railroad needing to “ensure that the proposed expansion of Metro-North service does not adversely impact Amtrak intercity passenger rail operation, which will see a significant expansion in 2021 with the introduction of expanded Acela service.”

Assuming there are no major snags, service to and from the new Bronx stations could begin in late 2022.

Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

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