Passengers Get Early Warning on Rail Travel

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

The New York Sun

Long Island Rail Road commuters taking their seats yesterday found a harbinger of headaches to come: a pamphlet detailing scheduled disruptions in and around Penn Station during next week’s Republican National Convention.


The pamphlet – featuring station maps, safety tips, and train service information – comes complete with a detachable card for passengers to keep on hand for future reference.


An LIRR spokesman, Brian Dolan, said “normal service” is expected.


The size of next week’s disruptions could be considered, in a word, elephantine. Plans call for all but two entrances to Penn Station to be closed off, with passengers allowed entry only at 32nd and 34th streets on Seventh Avenue. Security checks will be substantially increased, with some carry-on luggage subject to search and police officers expected to conduct sweeps of trains and subways.


“There are very, very big concerns,” said an Amtrak spokesman, Cliff Black. “It’s going to be challenging, no question about it. But we’re confident that this will work.”


Sealing off entrances could snarl foot traffic in the station, delaying passengers.


“Those exits will be a chokepoint at certain times of day. We’re asking people to exercise patience,” Mr. Black said. “We’re hopeful that this being a peak summer vacation season, a lot of people will opt to take their vacation around now anyway.”


Amtrak expects a 10% dip in Penn Station’s average daily traffic of 600,000 travelers.


Despite security fears, LIRR trains are to run on a normal schedule and MTA subway service will be uninterrupted. Amtrak trains will run on normal schedules, but passengers must make reservations for all trips into the city.


“In Boston they shut down South Station entirely. They didn’t have any train service at all, for a week. They’re not doing that at Penn, and we’re grateful for that,” Mr. Black said.


For all the potential headaches, train riders seem unfazed.


“I think the disruption and inconveniences will be pretty minor, and I’m much more concerned for people who have the need for buses in the area,” said Jerome Shagam of the LIRR Commuters Council, a watchdog group for LIRR passengers.


Foot traffic was light at Penn Station at noontime yesterday, but a ubiquitous police presence suggested a calm before the storm. Security was noticeably heavy in the station yesterday, with clusters of NYPD officers gathered at station entrances and escalators. Amtrak police and MTA officers were also on hand.


Still, some city-goers are optimistic.


“People understand what they have to do,” said Neil Cowan, a writer who commutes to the city. “New Yorkers are amazingly adaptable organisms.”


The New York Sun

© 2025 The New York Sun Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The material on this site is protected by copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used.

The New York Sun

Sign in or  Create a free account

or
By continuing you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use