The long-awaited revival of a passenger train route between Scranton and New York City is gaining momentum, though the journey remains far from its final destination. After more than thirty years of anticipation and planning, the project now features solid funding and clearer objectives, yet many questions still linger.
Here is the latest information addressing common queries about this ambitious project.
Q: When will the Scranton to New York City passenger train commence operations?
A: A definitive start date is not yet available, but it is expected to be several years away. According to Amtrak’s March 2023 analysis, service might begin no sooner than 2028. However, the state’s Department of Transportation (PennDOT) plans to complete a service development plan by mid-2029, outlining necessary steps to launch the train line. If approved by the Federal Railroad Administration, the project will proceed through engineering, design, and construction phases, which are expected to last at least a couple of years.
“We are definitely moving aggressively through this process in order to get this over the finish line,” said Angela Watson, PennDOT’s director of rail, freight, ports, and waterways.
Q: What will the cost of a train ticket be?
A: The fare has not been finalized. During a recent webinar, PennDOT consultant Jeff Stiles mentioned that Amtrak’s fare schedules would apply. Amtrak aims to offer a competitive pricing model against buses and cars. For reference, a round-trip bus ticket from Scranton to New York City with Martz costs $130, according to their schedule. Car travel costs vary based on fuel efficiency, gas prices, and tolls, which range from $15 to $23. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey provides further details on toll costs.
Q: What is the expected travel time for the train from Scranton to New York City?
A: The objective is to offer a travel time comparable to driving, ideally under three hours, according to Angela Watson. Martz buses currently take between 2 hours, 25 minutes, and 3 hours, 5 minutes, depending on traffic and stops as per their schedules.
Q: What will be the train’s route and stops?
A: The exact stops are still under review as part of the service development plan. However, Amtrak’s 2023 analysis suggests potential stops in Mount Pocono and East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, and Blairstown, Andover, Dover, Montclair, Morristown, and Newark, New Jersey. A recent webinar presentation featured similar stops. The train will ultimately terminate at Penn Station in New York City, with a new station planned near the Electric City Trolley Museum in Scranton.
Q: How frequently will trains operate on this route?
A: Although previous studies assumed at least three round trips per weekday, the final schedule is undecided. Coordination will be necessary with existing services provided by New Jersey Transit, Amtrak, and the Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority. Jeff Stiles mentioned that the number of trips could change as planning progresses.
Q: What are the expected costs for construction and operation?
A: Estimates for construction costs have evolved over time, initially starting at $200 million, escalating to $551 million in 2006, and reaching $1.4 billion in a 2021 Amtrak study. Typically, the Federal Railroad Administration covers 80% of construction costs, with the remaining costs shared by state and local entities. Operational costs are expected to be around $5.8 million annually, as per Amtrak’s 2023 study.
Q: Is there a possibility of extending the train service to other cities?
A: While inquiries have been made about extending service to destinations like Binghamton, Allentown, or Philadelphia, officials emphasize that the focus remains on establishing the Scranton-to-New York City route first. “Right now, we are focused on getting the service to Scranton,” stated Todd Euston, PennDOT’s project manager for the train.
Q: What factors increase the likelihood of this project becoming a reality?
A: Several factors bolster the project’s feasibility:
- Funding: The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allocates $66 billion for passenger rail upgrades, including $5.1 million specifically for this service plan.
- Federal Support: The Federal Railroad Administration is actively involved, with FRA official Adam Wroblewski calling it an “important project.”
- Ownership: Public ownership of the entire route eases track access negotiations.
- Infrastructure: New Jersey Transit is working to extend its service onto the Lackawanna Cutoff, reducing restoration costs.
