Lactation Pod To Be Installed At Penn Station, MTA Says

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — A private area for breastfeeding will be installed in Penn Station in the fall for mother's who have to nurse their children while commuting, MTA officials announced this week.

The MTA has purchased a "lactation pod" — made by Vermont-based company Mamava — that will be installed in the Long Island Rail Road waiting area of the busy Midtown station, MTA Long Island Rail Road President Phillip Eng said. The pod will be outfitted with seating, shelves, mirrors and lighting to provide mothers with a comfortable and private place to breastfeed.

"My approach to operating the LIRR is to put safety and customer service first," Eng said in a statement. "When customers request a change that we can accommodate, if we can do it reasonably, we will make that change. I’m glad that in this case we were able to find a way to put this in place relatively quickly. I hope it makes traveling with us easier and more pleasant. I hope it will let more New Yorkers choose the LIRR as a form of travel."

The MTA did not provide an exact installation date for the lactation pod, but said the facility should be shipped, assembled and placed in Penn Station sometime in the fall. If the facility proves a success, the MTA will explore ordering more pods for the transit system.

The Long Island Rail Road waiting area is located near Penn Station's Seventh Avenue entrance. The area is open and staffed on a 24-hours, seven days per week basis.