Amtrak recently conducted an economic impact analysis of its proposed New York-Scranton passenger rail route and discovered the line would generate $87 million annually.
The route would include stations in Scranton, Tobyhanna, Mount Pocono, and East Stroudsburg and would connect to other Amtrak services throughout the Northeast.
According to the analysis, the new route would reduce highway traffic congestion and connect smaller communities to job and educational opportunities.
Until 1970, Scranton and New York City were connected by passenger rail service.
“Those of us who have been working for years on bringing passenger rail back to Northeastern Pennsylvania are gratified that Amtrak understands the kind of economic boon this train service can be for our whole region,” U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-PA) said. “The success of this vision hangs on passage of the Build Back Better plan, which I’ll be focused on passing in the coming months in Washington.”
More than 27 million people, the majority from the New York City area, visited the Scranton area in 2019.
Four of the 25 worst highways in the country for traffic are in and around New York City, according to INRIX, and New York City ranked as the fourth most congested city in 2019.