What to Know
- Amtrak is making extensive repairs to tracks and signals in Penn Station, which it owns and operates
- Gov. Cuomo predicted it would be a "summer of hell" for commuters, but one week in, all appears to be running smoothly
- Authorities credit careful planning and commuter outreach with the smooth start to the overhaul, but much remains to be seen
A Roman Catholic bishop is offering prayers to New York-area commuters facing what's been billed as a "summer of hell" amid extensive Amtrak repair work at the aging Penn Station.
Long Island Bishop John Barres is posting daily one-minute spiritual messages on a video blog.
Maybe it's working. So far, few widespread problems have been reported following Gov. Andrew Cuomo's initial "hell" prediction.
The Diocese of Rockville Centre says the bishop is aware that commuters are facing challenges getting to and from New York City this summer. Earlier this week, an infrastructure project began at Penn Station.
Travelers began using alternate stations, buses and ferries as schedules were altered on the Long Island Rail Road, New Jersey Transit and Amtrak.
The diocese is the country's sixth-largest with more than 1.4 million Catholics.
