NYP - Downstairs Boarding Stopped
Sep 27, 2012, 10:52 am
#1
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NYP - Downstairs Boarding Stopped
Week before last, on my trip from NYP-WAS, I went to board my Acela departure through the lower gates, as is my normal practice when I'm running late (it's an easier transfer from the subway). They had an Amtrak police officer watching the gate and mandating that passengers go upstairs for boarding. Is this now standard practice at NYP? Has it happened to other folks? How do they know I'm not a NJT customer when they force me upstairs?
Just curious if things have changed permanently at Penn.
Just curious if things have changed permanently at Penn.
Sep 27, 2012, 12:38 pm
#2
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I usually take the elevator down to track level. Much easier when toting luggage.
I usually take the elevator down to track level. Much easier when toting luggage.
Sep 28, 2012, 9:26 am
#5
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I've seen it several times now. (I doubt it's being done at the red caps request. I'm sure it's based on "security.") But one still can use the elevator.
Sep 28, 2012, 9:37 am
#6
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I boarded from the mezzanine level yesterday afternoon for the 4 PM southbound Acela. No police in evidence at any of the stairways. Only once in the last 14 years of doing this have I ever been stopped from boarding that way.
I imagine that there was heightened security at NYP this week due to the UN General Assembly and Clinton Global Initiative meetings. The city was a mess in general.
I imagine that there was heightened security at NYP this week due to the UN General Assembly and Clinton Global Initiative meetings. The city was a mess in general.
Sep 28, 2012, 9:56 am
#7
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I've seen it quite a few times (although not every time) over the last several weeks. While it may be (or have been) in response to a specific security concern, I don't think it was U.N. related, since I saw it well before the U.N. security kicked in elsewhere. (Also, if it were U.N. related, I would have expected it to be in place yesterday, as the U.N. security still was in full swing yesterday.) It will be interesting to see if it continues.
Sep 29, 2012, 7:32 pm
#10
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I exited a NJ Transit train today and walked through the downstairs level in Penn Station and did not see any security guards or anyone blocking access to the downstairs-level track entrances.
Sep 30, 2012, 12:17 pm
#11
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When they've done it, it's only been when they were preparing to board an Acela train. They don't keep the police officers stationed there all the time.
Oct 2, 2012, 9:29 am
#13
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Based on my last 3 trips, I have seen it twice. Those trains were 4pm or 5pm Acela trains to DC. The third time, my Acela train was "off peak" I think around 2pm and did not see an officer.
I can't seem to recall but does anyone know if these officers are Amtrak police or NYPD? Not sure if anyone has tried but I would guess that it may be easier to convince a NYPD officer to allow you to go down rather than an Amtrak police officer. But then again, maybe not.
I can't seem to recall but does anyone know if these officers are Amtrak police or NYPD? Not sure if anyone has tried but I would guess that it may be easier to convince a NYPD officer to allow you to go down rather than an Amtrak police officer. But then again, maybe not.
Oct 2, 2012, 10:34 am
#14
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Based on my last 3 trips, I have seen it twice. Those trains were 4pm or 5pm Acela trains to DC. The third time, my Acela train was "off peak" I think around 2pm and did not see an officer.
I can't seem to recall but does anyone know if these officers are Amtrak police or NYPD? Not sure if anyone has tried but I would guess that it may be easier to convince a NYPD officer to allow you to go down rather than an Amtrak police officer. But then again, maybe not.
I can't seem to recall but does anyone know if these officers are Amtrak police or NYPD? Not sure if anyone has tried but I would guess that it may be easier to convince a NYPD officer to allow you to go down rather than an Amtrak police officer. But then again, maybe not.
Oct 2, 2012, 11:02 am
#15
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I take the southbound regional daily from NYP, either at 7:17 or 8:05, and I've been stopped from boarding on the lower level maybe 8 or 9 times since January. It's always been by a uniformed officer stationed at the stairs on the lower level leading to the platform where my train is boarding; I've also seen officers stationed at another platform or just patrolling the lower level, and never been stopped by them.