The Federal Takeover of Penn Station: Safeguarding Taxpayers from New York Politicians’ Dubious Plans

One of the best aspects of the Trump administration removing the MTA from any revamp plans for Penn Station is that it effectively ends the Cuomo-Hochul initiatives — which would have guaranteed minimal return on investment and catered to donors and special interests.

Additionally, it liberates any project from New York laws that inflate expenses on significant public works by allowing inefficient union practices and mandatory payouts to “community” politicians.

In reality, the sole purpose of any future work at Penn, aside from possibly some track-extension projects, is to provide financial incentives for the well-connected and to serve as a justification for politicians to solicit donations from wealthy stakeholders — essentially bribes for those seeking to benefit and protection payments for those wishing to preserve their interests.

The MTA certainly has much better priorities for any funding it receives; it was merely used as a pawn in the politicians’ games.

Penn Station is currently perfectly acceptable as it stands. For the hundreds of thousands of commuters who pass through each day, recent improvements have sufficed — NJTransit and the LIRR now have well-designed new vestibules, entrances, and exits, including the Moynihan Station.

Moreover, commuters are not interested in further interruptions for projects that do not enhance train speed: No one spends more time at Penn than necessary because they are all heading somewhere else.

This proposal to spend billions transforming its central hall into an extravagant architectural wonder is pointless, especially for those merely looking to profit.

This situation is not about President Donald Trump trying to leave his mark on the city; Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is simply shielding federal taxpayers from yet another New York scheme. “The era of reckless spending and blank checks is over” was a vital part of his announcement.

Gov. Hochul is upset because it undermines her plans, but New York taxpayers (and the MTA!) can rejoice at being freed from a useless white elephant.