NEW YORK, NY — During a televised appearance on “The View,” New York Governor Kathy Hochul described Penn Station as akin to “the seven layers of hell” and labeled the Port Authority Bus Terminal a “hellhole,” drawing attention to growing concerns over public safety and infrastructure conditions in New York City’s busiest transit hubs. Her remarks come as incidents of violence and disorder have escalated at these key locations in recent days.
At Penn Station, the nation’s busiest train station, a person was reportedly set on fire, according to local authorities, in a shocking incident that disrupted commuters and underscored safety issues plaguing the landmark. Penn Station, which serves hundreds of thousands of passengers daily, has long been criticized for its overcrowding, disrepair, and safety concerns.
At the Port Authority Bus Terminal, cited by Governor Hochul during the same program, a female police officer was assaulted earlier this week in an encounter involving an individual who officials say had entered the U.S. unlawfully. The Port Authority, which sees tens of millions of passengers annually, has similarly been a focus of public scrutiny over crime and inadequate facilities.
Meanwhile, at Grand Central Terminal, the third-busiest train station in North America, two individuals were stabbed this week in an attack attributed to a repeat offender. The incident left a bloodied scene, prompting renewed debates about recidivism and the effectiveness of public safety measures in one of the city’s most iconic transportation hubs.
Despite these developments, Governor Hochul has continued to support a proposed congestion pricing plan, which would impose fees on drivers entering Manhattan’s central business district. Critics of the plan argue that it would penalize those seeking to avoid transit-related violence by driving, while advocates say it would reduce traffic and generate revenue for public transportation improvements.
The governor’s sharp remarks and the violent incidents highlight the ongoing challenges facing New York City’s transit systems, which are struggling to balance safety and modernization in one of the world’s busiest urban environments.