New York’s Penn Station could be getting more than its proposed $8 billion redesign. Amtrak announced a timeline for the project last year, and design renderings were published in June that show what the new station could look like.
The head of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) reportedly dismissed Amtrak’s partnership offer in its “once-in-a-generation” reconstruction plan of the over 120-year-old station, which serves roughly 600,000 passengers daily. Now, federal officials appear to be looking to rename the historic station, following President Donald Trump’s suggestion to rebrand the U.S.’s busiest rail hub after him, according to a letter penned by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
DOT Appears To Seek Name Change For New York’s Penn Station
Duffy’s letter, which was obtained by the New York Daily News, states that the administration intends to “[d]irect Amtrak to rename New York Penn Station.” The July 22 note was sent to three Senate committees calling the name change an “administration priority.”
Duffy didn’t specify what the new name could be. However, in August 2025, the DOT head hinted at a possible option for Penn Station’s new name when asked by a reporter if the old name would remain.
“I imagine you’re asking, ‘Is this going to be Trump Station?’” Duffy said. “I think that has a nice ring to it.”
Trump has previously said that people suggested to him that the historic station should be renamed after him. Duffy was coy last year when asked about the possibility of a name change; now it appears that is no longer the case.
The Penn Station overhaul, estimated to cost between $7 and 8 billion, could be even more expensive. Duffy’s letter urged Congress to authorize an additional $1 billion grant for the station’s renovation.
The planned exterior of Penn Station.
In addition, Duffy asked for increased railroad funding and for legislation allowing Amtrak to collect money from developers of properties near its stations, rather than those establishments paying property taxes to local or state governments, the New York Times reports.
Two New York politicians weighed in on the news that Penn Station would get a Trump-themed rename.
Politicians React To Possibility Of Penn Station Name Change
New York Senator Chuck Schumer told the New York Daily News that Duffy “should stop scheming to flatter the president and start delivering the safe, modern station New Yorkers deserve.”
“Donald Trump may want his name plastered across every building in America, but he doesn’t get to turn New York landmarks into monuments to himself,” Schumer said in a statement. “Penn Station needs to be rebuilt for the millions of commuters who use it, not rebranded to satisfy Trump’s bottomless ego.”
New York Congressman Jerry Nadler, whose district includes Penn Station, took to X to share his grievances over the news.
“After months of hiding from the public, Sean Duffy has confirmed that the Trump administration is waging a hostile takeover of Penn Station, including delivering Trump his dream of renaming Penn Station after himself,” Nadler wrote on July 23. “I strongly oppose this ridiculous proposal and am once again demanding answers on the funding.”
He added, “New York taxpayers and transit riders must not be forced to foot the bill for a Trump vanity project.”
Penn Station’s redesign is being helmed by Penn Transformation Partners (PTP), a joint venture led by construction companies Halmar and Skanska. The project is being led by Duffy and Amtrak Special Advisor Andy Byford.
Breakdown Of Penn Station Construction To Revamp The Historic Station
Trump has ordered construction to begin in 2027, with completion date eyed for 2034, according to Penn Transformation. A June 8 press release from Amtrak says the new Penn Station concourse will be of “stone and bronze with soaring ceilings.” The Trump-led rebuild aims to channel the classic building’s design before its demolition in 1963 and to have double the floor space of Grand Central Terminal.
Amtrak outlined five major improvements that the new transformation will make:
- Construct a grand entrance on Eighth Avenue to a new train hall
- Replace cramped, decrepit walkways with open, beautiful concourses
- Expand track capacity, including the introduction of at least limited through-running on the regional rail network
- Enable new retail, better wayfinding, and other passenger experience improvements, all while maintaining the iconic Madison Square Garden with a new cladding for a classic look, and
- Improve the station’s existing subterranean structure
Duffy in the press release described the current station as “dirty” and “falling-apart.”
“The Golden Age of Transportation is coming thanks to President Trump. He had a vision to transform this dirty, falling-apart station in the middle of his hometown into a state-of-the-art transit hub that millions can enjoy for generations to come. American families deserve a safe, efficient, and clean commute to their homes, jobs, and churches,” Duffy said.
Funding for the station remains murky, however. The DOT awarded Amtrak $43 million in federal funding to accelerate the effort last year, and officials committed another $200 million toward the project. In addition, DOT is investing nearly $5 billion in Amtrak’s Northeast corridor, which will include Penn Station.
Byford has suggested that New York City taxpayers could help foot the bill in exchange for improvements to public spaces surrounding the station. For now, it remains unclear how this project will be funded and if travelers can even expect its famous name to remain.
TheTravel contacted the DOT but did not receive a response in time for publication.
