Scranton to NYC train a 'once-in-a-generation' opportunity, leaders tell state House members

Sarah Hofius Hall, The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.
·3 min read
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Aug. 30—SCRANTON — If passenger train service between Scranton and New York City ever has a chance of happening, the time is now.

Surrounded by transportation from the region's past at the Electric City Trolley Museum, state and community leaders looked to the future during a House Majority Policy Committee hearing on Wednesday.

With widespread support, government agencies in New Jersey and Pennsylvania owning the entire railroad right of way and the possibility of federal infrastructure money to pay for it, leaders have never been so hopeful.

"It's a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make progress," said Joe Barr, director of network development-east for Amtrak. "We're very excited to bring more trains to more people."

Wednesday's hearing wrapped up a three-day tour of the Northeast, with the Democrats also visiting McLane Co.'s Jessup distribution center to discuss supply chain transportation issues and holding a hearing at Old Forge High School to gather testimony on career and technical education.

After decades of discussions and dreams about the passenger train, the federal bipartisan infrastructure bill set aside $66 billion for passenger and freight rail improvements. Over the next five years, the federal government will invest a total of $22 billion in Amtrak, including improving and expanding intercity passenger rail services nationwide. Scranton-born President Joe Biden touted his agenda, including funding for transportation, during a visit to the trolley museum two years ago.

The state Department of Transportation applied in March for the project's inclusion in the Corridor ID program, which would provide federal funding, with the Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority and New Jersey Transit as co-applicants. The Federal Railroad Administration should announce funding decisions in November, officials said.

"I can't give guarantees but I have optimism," state Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll told lawmakers. "The availability of those dollars makes a huge difference."

Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti, an Oregon native, recently learned she had family that lived in Northeast Pennsylvania in the 1800s. In 1892, her family traveled west to Montana, taking a train out of Scranton. It's time to get back to the 1890s, with passenger rail service available from Scranton, she said, laughing.

"We're really excited about it," she said.

The passenger train, which would offer food and beverages for purchase along the estimated three-hour trip, would stop at stations in Mount Pocono, East Stroudsburg and several places in New Jersey before Penn Station in Manhattan. The Newark Liberty International Airport would be a 15-minute taxi-ride away from the Newark stop in New Jersey. Once at Penn Station, the rider could also connect with trains going up and down the East Coast, and for example, could end up in Florida or Montreal the next day, said Larry Malski, Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority president.

"A lot went into where we are now," Malski said. "You can see how all the pieces are fitting together."

Reps. Bridget Kosierowski, D-114, Waverly Twp., and Kyle Donahue, D-113, Scranton, co-hosted the hearing.

"This is our moment to get this done," Donahue said.

Contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9133; @hofiushallTT on Twitter.