Residents of the East Bronx currently have limited transit options to reach jobs, education and other opportunities in midtown Manhattan, Westchester, and Connecticut. Ninety percent of East Bronx residents are minority and 25% are below the poverty level, and many spend up to 1½ hours each way on their daily commutes. The project will provide a new one-seat ride between East Bronx and Penn Station, saving riders up to approximately 50 minutes. East Bronx passengers traveling to Connecticut could save up to approximately 75 minutes. Passengers traveling from Connecticut or Westchester will also benefit from a new one-seat ride to Manhattan’s west side. With these four new stations and significant improvements to railroad infrastructure, we will deliver a much-needed transit option to underserved communities in the East Bronx, dramatically slashing commuting times and bolstering equity, regional connectivity and reliability.

Reverse commuting to the East Bronx, Westchester, and Connecticut will no longer be a hassle. With four new, convenient ADA-accessible rail stations opening in the East Bronx, commuters will finally have a reliable transit option to the suburbs. Reverse commuters will be able to seamlessly travel from Penn Station to the Hunts Point, Parkchester/Van Nest, Morris Park, Co-op City, Westchester and southern Connecticut. Not only will this expand transit options for New Yorkers, it will also substantially expand the labor pool for employers in the region and widen job opportunities for workers.

A direct link into Penn Station will provide passengers traveling from the East Bronx, Westchester, and Connecticut with seamless connections to other rail providers in the New York metropolitan area, including Amtrak, NJ TRANSIT, LIRR, PATH, and NYCT subways. This new service will greatly expand riders’ access to even more transportation systems, including ferries and airports. With numerous transportation options available, passengers will be able to reach more destinations throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.

When a train encounters a disruption, service throughout the system can be delayed and even halted. By providing Metro-North the flexibility to travel into both Grand Central Terminal and Penn Station, we are strengthening network reliability and improving recovery times for trains. This improved mobility will be advantageous to railroad travelers on a local and regional scale, especially in the event of service disruptions, severe weather events, and other emergency situations. By bringing Amtrak’s Hell Gate Line to a state of good repair, the project will improve intercity reliability and on-time performance while accommodating new Metro-North commuter service.

Implementing cost-effective rail improvements is a priority for us. We can't keep building new, costly infrastructure. Instead, we are leveraging Amtrak’s existing Hell Gate Line to deliver Metro-North service direct into Penn Station. Not only are we saving taxpayer dollars, but we are also minimizing construction impacts to surrounding communities.

The benefits of new Metro-North service go even further than commuting times and the regional rail network. With more convenient rail options, Penn Station Access will stimulate local and regional economies. New rail service from Connecticut and Westchester through the East Bronx will benefit local educational campuses, medical institutions, commercial centers, and retail corridors by improving consumers’ mobility and access to these hubs. Expanded transportation options will also substantially expand the labor pool for employers, widen job opportunities for workers, and attract new businesses and talent. Penn Station Access will make it even easier to live, work, and visit the East Bronx, Westchester, and Connecticut. The project will complement innovative economic development initiatives in the East Bronx and greater New York metropolitan region.

The project aims to meet the ENVISION v3 framework – the transportation and infrastructure industry standard for sustainability. Different than other standard sustainable guidelines such as the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, ENVISION goes beyond the physical building and structure. ENVISION engages the affected community and its leadership to collaborate on planning, economic development, and resiliency efforts. Public awareness is a core component of ENVISION, and the project team continues to explore feasible design solutions that can be implemented into the construction process. In addition to the ENVISION v3 framework, new and reliable Metro-North service through the East Bronx will decrease vehicle miles traveled for car travel. As more people switch to train travel, traffic congestion will reduce, and air quality will improve. By improving transportation options and reliability, the project will help avoid outmigration of jobs and residents and retain dense energy-efficient land use patterns that keep greenhouse gas emissions low.

Riders will also enjoy a new one-seat ride from Penn Station to other destinations in the region, including those in Westchester and Connecticut, such as:

• Parks - Hudson Park and Beach, Five Islands Park, Manor Park, Rye Nature Center, Mill River Park, Kosciuszko Park
• Institutions - The College of New Rochelle, Monroe College, University of Connecticut – Stamford Campus
• Medical Centers - Sound Shore Medical Center
• Music and Performance Venues - Emelin Theater, Capitol Theater, The Palace Theater
• And other local museums, art galleries, restaurants, and shopping districts