The city says it will keep an open line of communication as it launches a Bronx Metro-North station area study. 

An area study group, led by the Bronx borough president and Department of City Planning Director Marisa Lago, convened for the first time Monday. They will start in the areas surrounding the anticipated stations, assessing the needs and priorities of each neighborhood.

Those priorities so far include ensuring that people who come to and from the stations can access them safely and easily. The group is also focused on providing transportation connections, improved sidewalks and enhanced amenities near the stations, which are set to be in Hunts Point, Parkchester, Morris Park and Co-op City.

The new Bronx stations are part of a multibillion-dollar plan to bring Metro-North service into Penn Station. Official dates for project completion have not yet been set.