Senator Bob Casey issued a statement yesterday urging Amtrak to expedite upgrades to 30th Street Station Station in time for both Pope Francis’ visit and the Democratic National Convention. Last week, the Democratic Party announced Philadelphia as its venue for 2016 DNC, which is estimated to draw some 35,000 visitors to the city. The World Meeting of Families, just six months away, could draw some 2 million to see the pope.

The upgrades, proposed by Amtrak in 2013, would ramp up the 30th Street Station’s retail, dining, and restroom facilities.

“This historic facility provides for many visitors the first introduction to Philadelphia, or Pennsylvania as a whole, and we need to ensure it presents the best picture of what the Commonwealth has to offer for the millions of visitors that come to Philadelphia each year,” Sen. Casey said.

Meanwhile, Amtrak has also been working with the 30th Street Station District on a long-term reconstruction of the city’s largest transit hub. 30th Street is the third largest station in Amtrak’s network up and down the northeast corridor, and transported more than 11 million Amtrak, SEPTA and NJ Transit passengers last year. And about 63,000 travellers pass through the station every day.

“Amtrak appreciates Senator Casey’s long-standing support and looks forward to welcoming the influx of passengers expected to visit Philadelphia for these major events,” Amtrak responded in its statement.

The transit company said that they’ll work on both short- and long-term improvements to the station, and they’ll work closely with all the stakeholders involved to identify funding and support for priority projects with the station’s various partners.