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At an event to mark a new and improved Acela in Boston, a Trump administration official said plans include improving stations along the Northeast corridor.
During a Wednesday event unveiling new Acela trains at South Station, a Trump administration official suggested the federal government may take over the station — similar to its move with Union Station in Washington, D.C.
“Here in South Boston, we need to address the cleanliness, the crime, the safety, and security of the station for the rail workers, for the passengers, because the people of Boston deserve that,” Deputy Director of Transportation Steven Bradbury said, The Boston Globe reported.
He continued, “All the people up and down the Northeast corridor and Americans who travel on these trains, they need and deserve beautiful rail facilities.”
The remarks echoed what officials said earlier at events marking the trains’ departure from Union Station and later at a stop at Penn Station in New York.
In a press release on Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced it is reclaiming management of Union Station, saying “strong direction is needed to restore this federal asset to its former glory.”
“Instead of being a point of pride, Washington’s Union Station has fallen into disrepair,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Puffy, in a statement. “By reclaiming the station management, we will help make this city safe and beautiful.”
At a stop at Penn Station, Secretary Duffy spoke of USDOT’s “Transformation” project of Penn Station, saying construction will begin by the end of 2027.
According to a press release, USDOT and Amtrak took control of the Penn Station overhaul project from the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority in April, withdrawing $73 million in grant funding. USDOT appointed a new project director in May, and awarded a $43 million grant to begin work.
“Crumbling infrastructure, bleak and dirty architecture, unnavigable hallways, and no inviting spaces for families with kids — the current state of Penn Station is unacceptable,” said Duffy in a statement. “Under President Trump’s direction, we will transform Penn Station.”
The efforts are part of a broader initiative outlined in President Donald Trump’s executive order to promote “beautification” in the capital.
According to its website, USDOT is renegotiating a 2024 agreement with Amtrak and the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation.
Unlike Union Station, which is owned by USDOT and run by the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation, South Station is run and overseen by the MBTA, which might make a federal takeover more difficult.
It is the first time since Amtrak’s debut in 2000 that new trainsets are operating on the Northeast corridor. Dubbed NextGen Acela, the premium ride will run between major cities from Washington, D.C., to New York and Boston.
Amtrak boasts that the train can reach a maximum speed of 160 mph, has ergonomic, comfortable seats, and has 5G Wi-Fi.
Trains will begin with select departures on Aug. 28.
Should the federal government take over South Station to fix crime and cleanliness issues?
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