In the News

Plan for Amtrak passenger train picks up steam

WNEP-TV

Scranton, PA, August 10, 2023

Tags: Jobs and the Economy , Local Issues , Transportation and Infrastructure Member Designated Project Requests

The head of Amtrak, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, and officials from N.J. Transit and PennDOT toured the proposed station stops on Monday.

Monday was the first time Nicole Bucich, the vice president of Network Development at Amtrak, got a good look at the rails in East Stroudsburg. The reason behind it is to one day bring back passenger rail service to northeastern Pennsylvania.

"I think it makes it real for us, and especially being in towns like this where you see clear support for future railroad service," said Bucich. "That makes all the difference in the world."

Bucich, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, and officials from N.J. Transit and PennDOT toured the proposed station stops to look at what work needs to be completed and some of the challenges they could run into.

Amtrak estimates the proposed passenger train between Scranton and New York City will bring in more than $80 million dollars a year to the local economy.

"There are already developers lining up along the travel of this route because they can see the business development that can occur," said Rep. Cartwright (D), 8th District.