(The following story by Brian Liberatore appeared on the Press & Sun-Bulletin website on January 26.)
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — At the state’s behest, Amtrak will study the possibility of reinstating passenger rail service from Binghamton to Scranton. The route would allow Binghamton to hook into a rail line planned from Scranton to the New York City area.
“Establishing a consistent link to New York City for Binghamton residents will not only provide more transportation options for upstate travelers but will also boost economic prospects throughout the region,” said U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D- N.Y. Schumer in November sent a letter to the state and Amtrak CEO Alexander Kummant urging them to conduct the study.
Amtrak Friday announced its intention to complete the study. Amtrak officials did not offer an estimate on the cost of the study, but said it could start within the next few weeks.
The route would have added significance as officials in Pennsylvania and New Jersey push to provide passenger rail service between Scranton, Pa., and Hoboken, N.J. The project, known as the New Jersey-Pennsylvania Lackawanna Cutoff Rail Restoration, is still in the planning stages.
If completed, the line would mark the first time in more than three decades that commuters would have a rail link from the Southern Tier to the Big Apple.
The project is especially important, Schumer said, given Delta’s decision in July to terminate air service from the Greater Binghamton Airport, eliminating the direct flight from Binghamton to JFK International Airport in New York City.