Live from public media studios, w VII presents studios, w VII presents Keystone, Ed.

reports a Keystone, Ed.

reports a public affairs program that public affairs program that goes beyond the headlines goes beyond the headlines to address issues in to address issues in Northeast and central Northeast and central Pennsylvania.

This is Pennsylvania.

This is Keystone addition reports.

Keystone addition reports.

And now moderator Larry And now moderator Larry Void, co 53 years ago.

Void, co 53 years ago.

That's the last time That's the last time northeastern Pennsylvania northeastern Pennsylvania saw rail service between saw rail service between Scranton and New York City.

Scranton and New York City.

But that is about to change But that is about to change recently.

Just last recently.

Just last December, Pennsylvania December, Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey and Senator Bob Casey and Congressman Matt Cartwright Congressman Matt Cartwright along with a federal along with a federal Railroad Administration and Railroad Administration and announced that rail service announced that rail service between the cities will no between the cities will no longer be a thing of the longer be a thing of the past.

but rather be part of past.

but rather be part of the region's future.

Now, the region's future.

Now, there's plenty of work to there's plenty of work to be done before we can all be done before we can all board that train in 2028. board that train in 2028.

Track improvements need to Track improvements need to be made.

Stations need to be made.

Stations need to be constructed.

And then be constructed.

And then there is the acquisition of there is the acquisition of the trains themselves.

The the trains themselves.

The project promises to benefit project promises to benefit hundreds of thousands of hundreds of thousands of people.

There'll be stops people.

There'll be stops in Stroudsburg and Mount in Stroudsburg and Mount Pocono as well.

Several Pocono as well.

Several communities in New Jersey.

communities in New Jersey.

So how will this benefit So how will this benefit our region?

Well, according our region?

Well, according to a recent Amtrak study, to a recent Amtrak study, direct rail service between direct rail service between Scranton and New York could Scranton and New York could generate up to 84 million generate up to 84 million dollars in economic dollars in economic activity each year.

Will activity each year.

Will there be opportunities for there be opportunities for area workers who want to area workers who want to find jobs in New York City?

find jobs in New York City?

And what about increased And what about increased tourism dollars for area?

tourism dollars for area?

Many questions remain to be Many questions remain to be answered.

But one thing is answered.

But one thing is a certainty come 2028.

The a certainty come 2028.

The Electric City and the Big Electric City and the Big Apple will once again be Apple will once again be linked via train service.

linked via train service.

Keystone Addition Reports Keystone Addition Reports Tom Reese takes a closer look up to 100 10 miles per look up to 100 10 miles per hour, three times a day.

hour, three times a day.

That's the proposed That's the proposed schedule for Amtrak service schedule for Amtrak service between the Electric City between the Electric City and the Big Apple.

And it and the Big Apple.

And it could be up and running as could be up and running as early as 2028.

The last early as 2028.

The last passenger train service passenger train service from Scranton to New York from Scranton to New York City ended in 1970 and talk City ended in 1970 and talk of reviving the service has of reviving the service has been ongoing for more than been ongoing for more than 40 years.

That talk has now 40 years.

That talk has now given way to reality.

The given way to reality.

The trip is estimated to take trip is estimated to take just under three hours and just under three hours and may just open a world of may just open a world of possibilities for those who possibilities for those who would utilize the service.

would utilize the service.

According to Amtrak, there According to Amtrak, there are about half a million are about half a million potential riders in the potential riders in the region who would be linked region who would be linked to 500 cities in the Amtrak to 500 cities in the Amtrak network.

area.

Officials network.

area.

Officials have dubbed a game changer have dubbed a game changer for the region broadening for the region broadening employment opportunities, employment opportunities, bringing tourism dollars, bringing tourism dollars, keeping friends and keeping friends and families closer and having families closer and having easier access to an arts easier access to an arts and culture hub.

Residents and culture hub.

Residents could also access a wider could also access a wider range of health care range of health care services.

It's an exciting services.

It's an exciting time for the region as time for the region as what's old will be new what's old will be new again.

Myriad possibilities again.

Myriad possibilities will abound in the area's will abound in the area's past and future will come past and future will come full circle for Keystone, full circle for Keystone, Ed.

reports.

I'm Tom Reese.

Thanks so much, Tom.

Well, Thanks so much, Tom.

Well, let's welcome our guests let's welcome our guests who are here to share their who are here to share their expertize on the topic and expertize on the topic and joining us here in the joining us here in the studio page.

Cognata, the studio page.

Cognata, the mayor of the city of mayor of the city of Scranton, Larry Maskey, Scranton, Larry Maskey, president of the president of the Pennsylvania Northeast Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority Regional Railroad Authority and Mr. Mike Carol, and Mr. Mike Carol, Pennsylvania, secretary of Pennsylvania, secretary of Transportation.

And joining Transportation.

And joining us via Zoome, Congressman us via Zoome, Congressman Matt Cartwright, Matt Cartwright, representing the 8th representing the 8th Congressional District, Congressional District, Pennsylvania.

Well, Welcome Pennsylvania.

Well, Welcome so much.

Welcome to you to so mu.

Welcome to you to be here.

And welcome to be here.

And welcome to those of you joining us those of you joining us through our live streams on through our live streams on Facebook and YouTube Facebook and YouTube tonight.

And remember, tonight.

And remember, we'll be answerg your we'll be answering your questions and comnts in questions and comments in our special Q a A after our special Q and A after the show that ends ateven the show that ends at seven 30.

So stick around on Facebook and YouTube and we have guests in the in the have guestsn the in t Sapone studio here.o to those of u, if you have a comnt or queson, comment or question, there's a microphone the tre's a microphone in t a aisle, mply rise.nd go aislesimply re.nd go tthe micrhone and Ie the will know tt you are ready witn a then throit to you an apprriate ti.

t let's let dove in those of who areates ofose prriate t ous who a natives of ortheastn Pennsylvia.

I've ard about is northeastn .

enewal of ain servic I've hears renal of trn servic for lital decadesAnd, you kw, they'ree've beelooking foard to that nnection bweenn lookg foro hat connecon betweve Scranton,ew York, Cy Scrann, New Yk, City forhat.

B nhing eve forhat.

Butothing ever materia, merialized.

S Larry, Vsky wi tb e diffent?

Well, that the mt asked qution that 've goenAnd we'vall gotten d I'veeally brought the awer down t bught the awedown t a vy mple respoe.

And that is the rean this a veryd te it's goingo work is 66 billiodollars.

We've never h that commitment in federafunding.

And because of the bipartisan infrastructure billthat irastructure bill, that Congressman Cartwright, Conessman Cartwright, Senator Casey and the Senator Casey and the president put forth and on president put forth and on a bypass bas was passed a bypass basis was passed y the entire Congress.

We've got a real, real.

stick funding federall stick funding federal fding stream that we funding stream that we ner had in 40 years.

And never had in 40 years.

And that was actually the that was actually the missing ingredient.

Do you missing ingredient.

Do you agree, cretary Carol?

Cometely.

We wouldn't be having this conversation if having this conversation if we're not for the passage we're not f the passage of that bill.

It's that of that bill.

It's at simple.

So and that that simple.

So and that that passage, combined with the passage, coined with the wonderful work that Larry wonderful work at Larry and h team have done and his team have done throughhe years, really through the years, really gives us a wonderful gives us a wonderful opportunityor success.

Larry, back to you.

What is this work that Secretary his work that Secretary Carroll just referred to over the years?

What haveCarroo over the years?

What have you been doing over the yearsWell, for the last 40 years, when we've first 40 years, when we've first organized the rail organized the rail last autrity's, these railfirst autrity's, these rail lines that we're going to lines that we're going to operate over, we're perate over, we're aually being abandoned actually being abandoned and in some cases ripped up and in some cases ripped up So we had a little work to So wead a little work to do.

We didn't own them.

We do.

We didn't own them.e had tgo forth and had to go forth and purchase these lines.

And, purchase these lines.

And, you know, many people back you know, many people back then said, what do you done then said, what do you done this for?

I mean, this is this for?

I mean, thiis maybe not a good use of maybe not a gd use of taxpayer ney or anybody's axpayer money or anybody's money because of the money because of the private railroads.

Abandon them.

Well, the simple fact is, once you give up these is, once you give up these rail quarters, you're given rail quarters, yore given at a tremendous economic at a tremendous economic developer, a foundation developer, a foundation that in many cases is that in many cases is almost impossible put back.

almost impossible put back.

We were fortute in We were fortunate in Pennsylvania to save the Pennsylvania to save the entire portion of this entire portion of this railroad in Pennsylvania railroad in Pennsylvania from Scranton to the from Scranton to the Delaware water gap.

And Delaware water gap.

And quite honestly, it took a quite honestly, it took a long time.

One of the long time.

One of the differences, too, in this differences, too, in this cut off, as I understand, cut off, as I understand, is that this is not shared is that this is not shared rail between passenger rail between passenger service and freight service service and freight service Is that correct?

That's a Is that correct?

That's a critical difference in the critical difference in the fact that the Amtrak is fact that the Amtrak is publicly owned from publiclowned from Scranton to New York City Scranton to New York City mak a huge difference to makes a huge difference to negotiate with a class one negotiate with a class one rural road, Norfolk rural road, Norfolk Southern or Sea Access, for Southern or Sea Access, for example, would make this example, would make this proposition much more complicated.

Kudos to Larryopoe complicated.

Kudos to Larry his team for making sure his team for making sure that that track edge was that that track edge was secured.

Monroe and secured.

Monroe and Lackawanna counties that Lackawanna counties that deserve tons of credit for deserve tons of credit for that.

And then as you that.

And then as you progressed into New Jersey, progressed into New Jersey, New Jersey Transit has New Jersey Transit has controlled track there.

So controlled track there.

So a huge advantage for this a huge advantage for this project.

Now, if let me project.

Now, if let me just interject the 60 miles just interject the 60 miles that we saved, we actually, that we saved, we actually, ironically run freight and ironically run freight and passenger service on it passenger service on it right now are afraid.

right now are afraid.

Operator has a contract Operator has a contract with us.

So that's with the with us.

So that's with the authority where the owner authority where the owner and they service the and they service the industries.

And it just industries.

And it just very quickly, you know, we very quickly, you know, we brought 50 new industries brought 50 new industries into the Commonwealth of into the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on this Pennsylvania on this abandoned portion of the abandoned portion of the rail line after we bought rail line after we bought it and rebuilt it.

So it it and rebuilt it.

So it shows you the economic shows you the economic benefit and the passenger benefit and the passenger service is the excursions service is the excursions that we run for.

Is that we run for.

Is National Park Service, National Park Service, STEAMTOWN, National STEAMTOWN, National Historic Site.

So we Historic Site.

So we actually have freight and actually have freight and passengers running on our passengers running on our line, but they're under our line, but they're under our contract now.

American contract now.

American Neddie, you are not a Neddie, you are not a native northeastern native northeastern Pennsylvania, but it wasn't Pennsylvania, but it wasn't long after you settled here long after you settled here that you heard about this that you heard about this prospect, correct?

My prospect, correct?

My mother in law used to go mother in law used to go shopping with her sisters shopping with her sisters in the city.

And you heard in the city.

And you heard about it.

You heard about about it.

You heard about the efforts to do it.

My the efforts to do it.

My father in law was a guy.

father in law was a guy.

Know if I'll ever happen Know if I'll ever happen again.

They've talked about again.

They've talked about talked about it.

And to talked about it.

And to Secretary Carol's point, to Secretary Carol's point, to Larry's point, this is Larry's point, this is transportational funding transportational funding that we have right now.

that we have right now.

There's an opportunity with There's an opportunity with President Biden's President Biden's bipartisan bipartisan infrastructurally to infrastructurally to actually get this done.

The actually get this done.

The hurdles that Larry laid out hurdles that Larry laid out the hard work that he has the hard work that he has put in for decades have set put in for decades have set the stage for this to be the stage for this to be successful.

And it's hard successful.

And it's hard to overstate what an to overstate what an exciting opportunity this exciting opportunity this is for Scranton.

You know, is for Scranton.

You know, over the 20th century, over the 20th century, Train travel has had Train travel has had diminished.

So there are diminished.

So there are probably a lot of probably a lot of northeastern Pennsylvania northeastern Pennsylvania residents that never really residents that never really rode a true passenger train rode a true passenger train Who here has written a Who here has written a passenger train?

Okay, Can passenger train?

Okay, Can you explain the difference you explain the difference experience from a passenger experience from a passenger train to writing from here train to writing from here to Scranton?

a bus?

Well, to Scranton?

a bus?

Well, the bus service is great the bus service is great and it's wonderful.

asset.

and it's wonderful.

asset.

But trains are.

I used to But trains are.

I used to live in Washington, D.C.

I live in Washington, D.C.

I would often take the would often take the regional up to Philadelphia regional up to Philadelphia or New York or even Boston.

or New York or even Boston.

It's just a larger space.

It's just a larger space.

You're able to spread out a You're able to spread out a bit more.

You can use the bit more.

You can use the restroom as you like.

restroom as you like.

There's a dining car.

It's There's a dining car.

It's a lot.

It's a lot, lot a lot.

It's a lot, lot easier to get business done easier to get business done be able to travel as a be able to travel as a group and have fun with group and have fun with your friends.

Yes, If I may your friends.

Yes, If I may have equality of travel have equality of travel experience, this type of experience, this type of Amtrak corridor train that Amtrak corridor train that we're going to have is just we're going to have is just a whole different level.

I a whole different level.

I mean, you're able to get up mean, you're able to get up as the mayor said, walk as the mayor said, walk around, stretch your leg.

around, stretch your leg.

Much more importantly, Much more importantly, you're able to have food you're able to have food service, breakfast, lunch service, breakfast, lunch and dinner, full beverage and dinner, full beverage service on these trains.

service on these trains.

Wi-Fi equipped.

It's an Wi-Fi equipped.

It's an extension of your office.

extension of your office.

It's a whole different It's a whole different quality of life.

And quality of life.

And Congressman Casey, Sara, Congressman Casey, Sara, Congressman Cartwright, how Congressman Cartwright, how about you?

How do you like about you?

How do you like train service?

and train train service?

and train travel?

Not Mike Comrade's travel?

Not Mike Comrade's could not have stated it could not have stated it better.

It's a superior way better.

It's a superior way to travel.

You can work to travel.

You can work trying to do you have Wi-Fi trying to do you have Wi-Fi You have a restaurant car.

You have a restaurant car.

You know, you can move You know, you can move around.

You go to the around.

You go to the bathroom.

It's it's a bathroom.

It's it's a delightful way to travel.

delightful way to travel.

And my position is this and And my position is this and it has been since Larry and it has been since Larry and his posse landed on me, his posse landed on me, Larry.

Larry Koski and Bob Larry.

Larry Koski and Bob Hay and Dominic Keating.

Hay and Dominic Keating.

And even before I got And even before I got elected, 2012, they brought elected, 2012, they brought home to me that this is an home to me that this is an opportunity.

It's a long opportunity.

It's a long shot, but if we work on it shot, but if we work on it and we say steadfast and we and we say steadfast and we don't take our eye off the don't take our eye off the ball, we could make this ball, we could make this happen.

And you know what?

happen.

And you know what?

The bottom line is The bottom line is North-Eastern Pennsylvania North-Eastern Pennsylvania people are entire to the people are entire to the very best and it's up to up very best and it's up to up to us to make sure that to us to make sure that they get it.

So sixty six they get it.

So sixty six billion dollars was a game billion dollars was a game changer from the interest changer from the interest structure, Bill.

Now, this structure, Bill.

Now, this Scranton cut off, obviously Scranton cut off, obviously this is just a portion of this is just a portion of that.

Do we have that that.

Do we have that figure at hand?

What it's figure at hand?

What it's actually going to cost?

actually going to cost?

We've but, Larry, we We've but, Larry, we thought, well, of course, thought, well, of course, we refer to the bipartisan we refer to the bipartisan infrastructure law and that infrastructure law and that became the IJA.

Hey, the became the IJA.

Hey, the infrastructure Investment infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

And when I and Jobs Act.

And when I found out that it was found out that it was actually Senator Schumer actually Senator Schumer who is writing that bill, who is writing that bill, we thought it was being we thought it was being written in the House, found written in the House, found out at a late date that it out at a late date that it was Senator Schumer's bill.

was Senator Schumer's bill.

I got a Zoome call with him I got a Zoome call with him and I asked him simply add and I asked him simply add another two billion to the another two billion to the new rail starts.

So instead new rail starts.

So instead of 64 or 66 billion doesn't of 64 or 66 billion doesn't mean we get it, but it mean we get it, but it improves our chances.

And improves our chances.

And it brought home to Senator it brought home to Senator Schumer that this is a Schumer that this is a possibility.

What has possibility.

What has really made this a success really made this a success and what has brought us to and what has brought us to the point where we're the point where we're having a show like this to having a show like this to talk about the likelihood talk about the likelihood of it happening is that we of it happening is that we have a broad coalition of have a broad coalition of civic leaders who are all civic leaders who are all on all on board.

So to on all on board.

So to speak.

All in all in favor speak.

All in all in favor of this project, because of this project, because they realize how they realize how transformational it can be transformational it can be for our area.

Back after it for our area.

Back after it was announced that we made was announced that we made it in December, we made it it in December, we made it into the corridor deep into the corridor deep program.

We had an program.

We had an announcement and I had all announcement and I had all the mayors up.

We had the the mayors up.

We had the mayor of East Stroudsburg, mayor of East Stroudsburg, Mayor Berezovsky, Mayor Mayor Berezovsky, Mayor Moran, Fromm's from Moran, Fromm's from Stroudsburg Metacognitive Stroudsburg Metacognitive from Scranton, Mayor Brown from Scranton, Mayor Brown from Wilkes-Barre, from Wilkes-Barre, America's sort from America's sort from Hazleton, Maryland, Barto Hazleton, Maryland, Barto from Pittston, people from from Pittston, people from different parties.

And of different parties.

And of course, all the state course, all the state represent some both parties represent some both parties and all kinds of and all kinds of stakeholders in our stakeholders in our community have come community have come together and brought home together and brought home the importance of this the importance of this project.

and really went project.

and really went just Shapiro I talked to on just Shapiro I talked to on two weeks into its term.

I two weeks into its term.

I had a long call with them had a long call with them and he said, Matt, I'm in.

and he said, Matt, I'm in.

This is exact.

I need what This is exact.

I need what Governor Russia posted and Governor Russia posted and how often does that happen how often does that happen in our in our political in our in our political spectrum?

today?

Well, spectrum?

today?

Well, Congressman, your friend in Congressman, your friend in the Senate, Bob Casey, has the Senate, Bob Casey, has also been an advocate for also been an advocate for the project.

And we asked the project.

And we asked him for his comments.

him for his comments.

Here's what he had to say.

Here's what he had to say.

Whether it's Lackawanna Whether it's Lackawanna County or Luzerne County, County or Luzerne County, but all the counties in our but all the counties in our region, for years, many region, for years, many people have been making people have been making that commute to New York that commute to New York City.

And obviously the bit City.

And obviously the bit the only way really now to the only way really now to do that is by bus.

I guess do that is by bus.

I guess some could drive.

But but some could drive.

But but to have the opportunity, to have the opportunity, get train every morning, get train every morning, get to work and get home in get to work and get home in a manner that can be safe.

a manner that can be safe.

I mean, one of the best I mean, one of the best features of a train you to features of a train you to do work and train.

I mean, do work and train.

I mean, if you're if you if you if you're if you if you want to relax at that's want to relax at that's something you can also do.

something you can also do.

A lot of people work on the A lot of people work on the train in ways that you train in ways that you cannot do.

Just consider cannot do.

Just consider the productivity that the productivity that people can achieve because people can achieve because they have that time to to they have that time to to read, to work on the train, read, to work on the train, to get ready for work or to to get ready for work or to do some work on the way.

So do some work on the way.

So that's another huge benefit that's another huge benefit Just productivity for Just productivity for travelers.

That was Senator travelers.

That was Senator Bob Casey.

And just a Bob Casey.

And just a reminder, that we are live reminder, that we are live streaming this program and streaming this program and Facebook and YouTube and Facebook and YouTube and after the TV broadcast ends after the TV broadcast ends 730 will continue with a Q 730 will continue with a Q online.

So get your online.

So get your questions ready for our questions ready for our panel.

Mayor Cognata, now panel.

Mayor Cognata, now we this connection between we this connection between the Electric City and the the Electric City and the Big Apple, what are the Big Apple, what are the benefits to the residents benefits to the residents of the greater Scranton of the greater Scranton area?

So there's benefits area?

So there's benefits all along the entire court, all along the entire court, not just in Scranton.

You not just in Scranton.

You think about families that think about families that can be more flexible in can be more flexible in moving from a high cost moving from a high cost area of, say, northern New area of, say, northern New Jersey to a place like Jersey to a place like Scranton retirees who might Scranton retirees who might want to leave the New York, want to leave the New York, New Jersey area and come to New Jersey area and come to Pennsylvania where their Pennsylvania where their retirement income isn't retirement income isn't taxed.

You have taxed.

You have entrepreneurs who can't entrepreneurs who can't afford the overhead of afford the overhead of building a business in building a business in Brooklyn.

They could come Brooklyn.

They could come down to downtown Scranton, down to downtown Scranton, live downtown.

Don't need a live downtown.

Don't need a car.

They can still hop on car.

They can still hop on the train and get to those the train and get to those investor meetings.

once, investor meetings.

once, twice a week.

You have the twice a week.

You have the university not just in university not just in Scranton, but through our Scranton, but through our whole region.

that could whole region.

that could see an influx of students see an influx of students from those locations and, from those locations and, you know, students from you know, students from Scranton, from Wilkes-Barre Scranton, from Wilkes-Barre from our whole area that from our whole area that would be able to maybe would be able to maybe access those other access those other universities in those trade universities in those trade schools and other areas.

schools and other areas.

more easily.

And, of course more easily.

And, of course the tourism piece, we've the tourism piece, we've got montage, you know, got montage, you know, people skiing on montages people skiing on montages right as we speak.

Just ten right as we speak.

Just ten minutes from here.

There's minutes from here.

There's so much activity.

There's so much activity.

There's so many recreational so many recreational opportunities.

right here opportunities.

right here that people could access.

that people could access.

Have you heard a lot of Have you heard a lot of positive comments, mostly positive comments, mostly positive comments, though?

positive comments, though?

Mostly positive.

You always Mostly positive.

You always have a few naysayers, but have a few naysayers, but it's vastly positive.

Well, it's vastly positive.

Well, we have we have a couple we have we have a couple that come in via social that come in via social media and we've addressed media and we've addressed this one says, you know, this one says, you know, Larry, nobody loves, loves Larry, nobody loves, loves you guys.

Morgus talking you guys.

Morgus talking about WDIA, But we've been about WDIA, But we've been hearing about this for 30 hearing about this for 30 years.

And, you know, that years.

And, you know, that was from Cathy on Facebook.

was from Cathy on Facebook.

And Bob on Facebook.

Could And Bob on Facebook.

Could there be several years away there be several years away when hearing about it?

So when hearing about it?

So we have established.

I we have established.

I think that we're we're as think that we're we're as sure as anything can be in sure as anything can be in this sort of arena that this sort of arena that this is going to happen.

this is going to happen.

But you can never be 100 But you can never be 100 percent sure until that percent sure until that first birthday gets on first birthday gets on board.

I guess.

But here is board.

I guess.

But here is one.

You think the drug and one.

You think the drug and crime problem in crime problem in North-Eastern North-Eastern Pennsylvania's bad.

Now, Pennsylvania's bad.

Now, just wait and see how bad just wait and see how bad it's about to get, says it's about to get, says Brandon.

And we also heard Brandon.

And we also heard from Jerry a new way to get from Jerry a new way to get drugs.

Northeastern P.A.

drugs.

Northeastern P.A.

Yipee!

A little sarcasm Yipee!

A little sarcasm there.

Well, how do you there.

Well, how do you answer that, Larry?

Now, answer that, Larry?

Now, I'd be happy to answer that I'd be happy to answer that I am a frequent Amtrak I am a frequent Amtrak rider, so I've traveled rider, so I've traveled around the country on around the country on quarter trains in the long quarter trains in the long distance trains and the distance trains and the entire northeast corridor, entire northeast corridor, the InterOil to your show the InterOil to your show tonight was Moynihan tonight was Moynihan Station in New York City.

Station in New York City.

And as I ride through that And as I ride through that center, which connects to center, which connects to anywhere in the country.

anywhere in the country.

This train out of Scranton This train out of Scranton will allow you to go to 500 will allow you to go to 500 different Amtrak different Amtrak destinations across the destinations across the U.S. and Canada.

But that U.S. and Canada.

But that station, you'll see the station, you'll see the officers there, you see the officers there, you see the drug sniffing dogs, you see drug sniffing dogs, you see the plainclothesman, you the plainclothesman, you see the all of the other see the all of the other entities, federal, state entities, federal, state and local from police.

and local from police.

Position, it makes no sense Position, it makes no sense to think that this is going to think that this is going to be some conduit for to be some conduit for drugs.

It's probably the drugs.

It's probably the least likely means of doing least likely means of doing that type of nefarious that type of nefarious situation.

And Mary, do you situation.

And Mary, do you have up to that?

Do you have up to that?

Do you have a comment?

Yeah, I'd have a comment?

Yeah, I'd say we look at our highway say we look at our highway system.

We know that drugs system.

We know that drugs come here through mostly come here through mostly cars and we have incredible cars and we have incredible law enforcement at the law enforcement at the local level at the cities local level at the cities are county state level with are county state level with PSP, with the federal PSP, with the federal agents, with DEA, all of agents, with DEA, all of those law enforcement those law enforcement entities work very, very entities work very, very well together.

We've seen well together.

We've seen that in real time in the that in real time in the Scranton area.

In these Scranton area.

In these last few weeks.

So that is last few weeks.

So that is already in place.

But the already in place.

But the best way to combat gang best way to combat gang activity, drug activity is activity, drug activity is to have economic to have economic opportunity.

The more opportunity.

The more economic opportunity we economic opportunity we have, the better.

So we have, the better.

So we open this up with a train open this up with a train line.

We have people that line.

We have people that are able to have a parents are able to have a parents that makes a new city that makes a new city salary but lives in salary but lives in Scranton, the surrounding Scranton, the surrounding area.

That's opportunity, area.

That's opportunity, right?

Having more people right?

Having more people be able to come, go be able to come, go businesses that come here businesses that come here because of the low overhead because of the low overhead costs and build up jobs costs and build up jobs right here in Scranton.

right here in Scranton.

Lackawanna County, in Lackawanna County, in northeastern Pennsylvania, northeastern Pennsylvania, That's the way to to fight That's the way to to fight that in addition to our that in addition to our incredible law enforcement incredible law enforcement fabric that we already have fabric that we already have laid down.

Larry, what more laid down.

Larry, what more needs to be done before needs to be done before that first passenger gets that first passenger gets aboard?

Well, as Secretary aboard?

Well, as Secretary Carol mentioned, you know, Carol mentioned, you know, we've been accepted into we've been accepted into the federal program.

Some the federal program.

Some have been and some have not have been and some have not been.

We're fortunate to be been.

We're fortunate to be one that has we now are one that has we now are working.

We've got a great working.

We've got a great team together pendant with team together pendant with my real with the Regional my real with the Regional Rail Authority, New Jersey Rail Authority, New Jersey Transit.

And what Amtrak Transit.

And what Amtrak and these entities are and these entities are going to put this thing going to put this thing together.

But we've now got together.

But we've now got an ability to fund it with an ability to fund it with federal funds.

And the federal funds.

And the federal funds are key federal funds are key because that's really what because that's really what this is.

It's a federal this is.

It's a federal entity and that's that's entity and that's that's what was holding it up for what was holding it up for these 30, 40 years that you these 30, 40 years that you keep hearing about as Carol keep hearing about as Carol And it's important to note And it's important to note that Governor Shapiro and that Governor Shapiro and Pendent are all in with Pendent are all in with respect passenger rail here respect passenger rail here in northeastern in northeastern Pennsylvania as this Pennsylvania as this progresses.

through the FRC progresses.

through the FRC process will be a process will be a requirement for some requirement for some matching funds to pair with matching funds to pair with the federal funds.

And the the federal funds.

And the governor and pendent governor and pendent prepared to be that partner prepared to be that partner to advance this project.

to advance this project.

And it's worth noting that And it's worth noting that we have passenger rail we have passenger rail initiatives underway riding initiatives underway riding to Philadelphia and an to Philadelphia and an expanded service from expanded service from Harrisburg to Pittsburgh, Harrisburg to Pittsburgh, all because Farai and that all because Farai and that bipartisan structure, Bill.

bipartisan structure, Bill.

So there's there's a So there's there's a partnership that's partnership that's necessary here from necessary here from Commonwealth.

And we look Commonwealth.

And we look forward to being that forward to being that wonderful partner.

I want wonderful partner.

I want to I want get into how the to I want get into how the operation is going to operation is going to continue to thrive going continue to thrive going forward.

But I just want to forward.

But I just want to remind viewers that time is remind viewers that time is running out very quickly.

running out very quickly.

And so if you have a And so if you have a comment question, please do comment question, please do submit that now and that submit that now and that afterwards will.

We're afterwards will.

We're streaming this live on streaming this live on Facebook and YouTube and so Facebook and YouTube and so you can join us for some Q you can join us for some Q and a once this TV and a once this TV broadcast ends in about broadcast ends in about seven minutes.

So let's get seven minutes.

So let's get back to what is Penn DOT's back to what is Penn DOT's role going forward as the, role going forward as the, say, the train is up its say, the train is up its twenty twenty eight.

It's twenty twenty eight.

It's running, we're all on and running, we're all on and it's now 28, 28, 29, 30. it's now 28, 28, 29, 30.

What is the role that What is the role that Penshoppe plays in that?

Penshoppe plays in that?

Well, we have significant Well, we have significant role before we get the role before we get the first train, Larry.

It's first train, Larry.

It's worth noting that, you know worth noting that, you know the the the authority and the the the authority and penned out in the FRC and penned out in the FRC and Amtrak have to bring this Amtrak have to bring this to fruition.

And so in so to fruition.

And so in so many ways, Penn Dot in our many ways, Penn Dot in our consultant partners will consultant partners will help advance the various help advance the various documents that flow to the documents that flow to the F.R.

Right.

To advance this F.R.

Right.

To advance this project to completion.

And project to completion.

And then there'll be a then there'll be a financial support necessary financial support necessary with respect to the with respect to the matching funds as this matching funds as this advances, we have a advances, we have a question from the audience.

question from the audience.

Please state your name Please state your name where you're from and then where you're from and then proceed to your question.

proceed to your question.

My name is Eric Sigmon.

I'm My name is Eric Sigmon.

I'm the mayor of Eastside the mayor of Eastside Berwin Carbon County and Berwin Carbon County and I'm a big supporter of this I'm a big supporter of this because I worked for a because I worked for a company that has an office company that has an office in New York and I currently in New York and I currently go to New York once a month go to New York once a month to go work out of the to go work out of the office.

But currently after office.

But currently after drive to Dover, New Jersey, drive to Dover, New Jersey, to catch the train.

So I to catch the train.

So I would be much happier to would be much happier to catch the train in Mount catch the train in Mount Pocono.

Mike, how long a Pocono.

Mike, how long a trip would that before?

You trip would that before?

You know, it's an hour over?

know, it's an hour over?

It's about a little over an It's about a little over an hour to drive from my house hour to drive from my house in side to Dover, New in side to Dover, New Jersey.

And then about an Jersey.

And then about an hour and 10 minutes on the hour and 10 minutes on the train from Dover to New train from Dover to New York City.

So it's about a York City.

So it's about a two and a half hour commute two and a half hour commute One way, if I drive and One way, if I drive and take the train and let's take the train and let's save you time, this would save you time, this would save me time because I only save me time because I only have to drive 20 miles up have to drive 20 miles up the road as opposed to an the road as opposed to an hour up the road.

So Mayor hour up the road.

So Mayor Carbonetti in Scranton, we Carbonetti in Scranton, we have to establish a train have to establish a train station.

So is that the station.

So is that the responsibility city?

No, it responsibility city?

No, it doesn't.

lie on the city doesn't.

lie on the city will certainly work with will certainly work with our partners at Amtrak and our partners at Amtrak and at the other levels of at the other levels of government to make sure government to make sure that we've done our part that we've done our part for the footprint and the for the footprint and the surrounding area where surrounding area where we'll be really focused not we'll be really focused not just on helping make sure just on helping make sure that we're we're a good that we're we're a good partner in that way, but partner in that way, but working on the academic working on the academic development pieces and the development pieces and the transit pieces that we transit pieces that we already are working on with already are working on with Secretary Carol's team to Secretary Carol's team to make our whole downtown, make our whole downtown, but especially that west but especially that west end of our downtown really end of our downtown really inviting place for people inviting place for people to come for tourism and a to come for tourism and a place that's much more place that's much more walkable so that if you walkable so that if you live downtown or you want live downtown or you want to park somewhere downtown, to park somewhere downtown, you can get there without you can get there without having to park right at the having to park right at the station.

So we want to make station.

So we want to make sure that everything's more sure that everything's more walkable.

And that'll be a walkable.

And that'll be a really exciting addition to really exciting addition to the entire city.

which.

The the entire city.

which.

The whole region.

Right.

You whole region.

Right.

You can just be able to drive can just be able to drive right into Scranton and right into Scranton and then get, like Larry said, then get, like Larry said, five hundred destinations five hundred destinations with Amtrak.

It's, again, with Amtrak.

It's, again, hard to overstate how hard to overstate how exciting that is.

I exciting that is.

I apologize.

I, I must cut apologize.

I, I must cut you off a little bit early.

you off a little bit early.

So you had a question.

Well So you had a question.

Well that's good, because the that's good, because the mayor kind of led into my mayor kind of led into my question in our area.

We question in our area.

We have a lot of tourist have a lot of tourist destinations and we have a destinations and we have a lot of people coming and lot of people coming and going for that part, not going for that part, not just people like me.

who just people like me.

who would use ifor commuting.

would use it for commuting.

So my question is, are So my question is, are there provisions in the there provisions in the plan to improve regional plan to improve regional trans to get people to and trans to get people to and from the train stations?

from the train stations?

Because that's the problem Because that's the problem we have with the airport we have with the airport today.

We don't have good today.

We don't have good regional transit, regional transit, especially in the rural especially in the rural areas like where we are to areas like where we are to get people to and from the get people to and from the train.

And I'm just train.

And I'm just wondering what kind of wondering what kind of plans are in the works for plans are in the works for that, like.

Yes, of that, like.

Yes, of actually there.

And it's actually there.

And it's been discussed for years, been discussed for years, but the county but the county commissioners, Lackawanna commissioners, Lackawanna County have put together an County have put together an initial concept of bringing initial concept of bringing all the local transit all the local transit providers together in an providers together in an informal coalition to informal coalition to address the kind of address the kind of activity of the Amtrak activity of the Amtrak service and the extra service and the extra quarter trains with each quarter trains with each station.

So that's actually station.

So that's actually underway now.

we've talked underway now.

we've talked about over the years, but about over the years, but without the Amtrak corridor without the Amtrak corridor train, which really wasn't train, which really wasn't the genesis to do it.

But the genesis to do it.

But we're discussing that as we we're discussing that as we speak, Mr. Carol.

I think speak, Mr. Carol.

I think you said and Carbon County you said and Carbon County in the it did the the port in the it did the the port note here is that this is note here is that this is not just a lack want county not just a lack want county Monroe County proposition.

Monroe County proposition.

This is an entire This is an enre northeastern central northeastern central Pennsylvania proposition.

Pennsylvania proposition.

And it'd be my expectation And it'd be my expectation that there'd be a level of that there'd be a level of coordination with the coordination with the various leaders in these various leaders in these various counties, including various counties, including carbon, to make sure that carbon, to make sure that access to to the stations access to to the stations that happen to be closest that happen to be closest were a little bit away from were a little bit away from that now.

But that has to that now.

But that has to be in the mix.

I would be in the mix.

I would think that this would think that this would encourage, say, bus encourage, say, bus companies and the like to companies and the like to put in more lines, more in put in more lines, more in the schedules just just to the schedules just just to have that.

Wouldn't you have that.

Wouldn't you think that that would think that that would encourage them to do that?

encourage them to do that?

Right.

Often in Right.

Often in conversations, people from conversations, people from Wilkes-Barre are students Wilkes-Barre are students at Welcome Kings will say, at Welcome Kings will say, well, what about us?

What well, what about us?

What about.

Not going to say about.

Not going to say that we're gonna get a rail that we're gonna get a rail link directly from link directly from Wilkes-Barre up.

But I do Wilkes-Barre up.

But I do think that there will be think that there will be money to be made from more money to be made from more bus service and more mass bus service and more mass transit between cities like transit between cities like Wilkes-Barre and throughout Wilkes-Barre and throughout the entire.

Now, where the entire.

Now, where you've been working on this you've been working on this for decades and making sure for decades and making sure all those rail lines are all those rail lines are acquired, preserved and acquired, preserved and persuading many of the persuading many of the benefits of this.

So this benefits of this.

So this must be a dream come true.

must be a dream come true.

for you.

It is, but it goes for you.

It is, but it goes to one of my guiding to one of my guiding principles, which is principles, which is perseverance.

And that's perseverance.

And that's what it takes to save these what it takes to save these real quarters.

And it takes real quarters.

And it takes a lot of time, too, and a lot of time, too, and money.

And finally, we have money.

And finally, we have that last piece, which is that last piece, which is the federal portion, which the federal portion, which we never had over the last we never had over the last 30 years.

And that's that's 30 years.

And that's that's the game changer, right.

the game changer, right.

This this money, the sixty This this money, the sixty six billion dollars we six billion dollars we didn't estaba about how didn't estaba about how much that it's going to much that it's going to cost for this.

What we're cost for this.

What we're setting aside, what portion setting aside, what portion of that?

Sixty six billion of that?

Sixty six billion dollars.

I think I saw a dollars.

I think I saw a figure of 80 million or figure of 80 million or something like that.

Seems something like that.

Seems like that's just a Funke like that's just a Funke had to be much more than had to be much more than that.

excess to me was that that.

excess to me was that far in excess.

Yeah, We're far in excess.

Yeah, We're talking about probably talking about probably somewhere between 800 somewhere between 800 million and maybe one point million and maybe one point two billion, which, you two billion, which, you know, which is why I I know, which is why I I talked to Senator Shriver talked to Senator Shriver about that.

But I will tell about that.

But I will tell you this, Larry.

I would be you this, Larry.

I would be remiss if I didn't bring remiss if I didn't bring home the point that Secrett home the point that Secrett Jerry, Mike Carroll and Jerry, Mike Carroll and Governor Josh Shapiro, them Governor Josh Shapiro, them throwing themselves into throwing themselves into this project, you could this project, you could have all the federal money have all the federal money in the world.

You want 80 in the world.

You want 80 percent of it was picked up percent of it was picked up by the federal government.

by the federal government.

But if you don't have the But if you don't have the local match, you're out to local match, you're out to lunch.

Right.

And if it lunch.

Right.

And if it weren't for Mike Carroll weren't for Mike Carroll and Josh Shapiro, oh, it and Josh Shapiro, oh, it would have been the Matt would have been the Matt and Larry application today and Larry application today Their own railroad Their own railroad administrator.

And that administrator.

And that wasn't going it very *, wasn't going it very *, Congressman.

We'll have to Congressman.

We'll have to leave it there right now leave it there right now for the TV broadcast.

But for the TV broadcast.

But the conversation continues the conversation continues with our lives streams on with our lives streams on Facebook and YouTube.

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And thank participating.

And thank you for joining us.

For you for joining us.

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I'm Larry Vojtko.

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I'm Larry Vojtko.

Thanks so much for watching Thanks so much for watching