SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Former congressman Matt Cartwright is taking on a new role to keep the wheels turning on a long-awaited project, restoring passenger rail service between Scranton and New York City.
Matt Cartwright was unanimously appointed by the Lackawanna County Commissioners to serve on the Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority Board through 2029.
During his six terms in Congress, Matt Cartwright was a vocal advocate for restoring the passenger rail in NEPA. He played a key role in securing federal funding for the project,now as a board member, he will continue that work to bring the railway back.
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"Just taking a seat on that board is a natural extension to the work I've been doing for over 12 years," said Cartwright.
The service would feature three daily round trips, stopping at key locations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Per an Amtrak study, the project could generate $84 million in annual economic activity.
"Principally, it'll be Lackawanna and Monroe because that's where the line will go through, but money flowing into this area circulates throughout our entire economy in Northeastern Pennsylvania. So from here, down to southern Luzerne County, from here to Wayne and Pike counties, even into Wyoming County, people will benefit, businesses will benefit from all of this," said Cartwright.
Progress is already on track, the project recently advanced to the second phase of the Federal Corridor Identification and Development Program.
"Only five lines in nation qualify for that and we're one of them. Phase two means about 5.4 million dollars in extra money for developing what they call the service development plan, and these are engineers costing out things and figuring out what's needed and where the best places are for the terminals," said Cartwright.
Cartwright believes the restored rail service will be a big boost for local businesses, making it easier to reach bigger markets while attracting tourists and helping the area grow.
"We have to give our businesses in Northeastern Pennsylvania every advantage that we can, and this is the best way to do it, bring dollars in from New York City, tourist dollars, business dollars, investment dollars," said Cartwright.
If all goes as planned, passenger rail service could be restored by 2028 or 2029.
