In the News

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) and U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-PA-8) are leading a coalition of regional partners from Pennsylvania and New Jersey in urging the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to reestablish direct passenger rail service between Scranton, PA and New York City. Rail service previously ran on the Lackawanna cut-off, but was discontinued in 1970. The 28-mile stretch of track fell into disrepair and requires significant investment to restore train service, a statement said.

Interested parties, including Cartwright, sent a letter to the FRA requesting funding from the FRA’s Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail grant program. The letter lists support from the Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Rail Authority, which owns existing track through Monroe and Lackawanna counties; the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which has invested $18.2 million in the project, and has authorized up to $125 million in state capital budget authorizations; and the state of New Jersey, which has invested $17 million.