The reality is that the space that Amtrak will be leaving might not be all that useful to NJT or LIRR. I will venture to guess that the space is primarily composed of the circular Amtrak-only waiting area plus the ticket counters and the baggage checking station. None of these areas have convenient access to the typical LIRR tracks. The waiting area could be useful to NJT for expanding their waiting space on upper level, but this is NJT -- do you expect them to have the foresight and the money to pay Amtrak and get the area converted to extra waiting space (which will be especially useful during service disruptions)?
What Penn really needs is (1) more access stairs and escalators at the low numbered tracks and (2) more space on the lower level where most of the LIRR commuters wait for their train to be announced. The first thing involves spending more money that NJT does not have and the second either booting some of the existing retail or some of the railroad personnel space (and finding them space elsewhere).
What Penn really needs is (1) more access stairs and escalators at the low numbered tracks and (2) more space on the lower level where most of the LIRR commuters wait for their train to be announced. The first thing involves spending more money that NJT does not have and the second either booting some of the existing retail or some of the railroad personnel space (and finding them space elsewhere).