More plans for expanded rail service in Pennsylvania

(Harrisburg) — Amtrak and PennDOT are looking over proposals to expand passenger rail service in Pennsylvania. 

One plan would add two more daily trips between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh. Mark Spada, spokesman for the group Western Pennsylvanians for Passenger Rail, says the state is missing out on an opportunity to service an entire region.

“We believe there is a market for increased rail service that would service not only the Pittsburgh Metro area, but basically the entire portion of Pennsylvania between here (Pittsburgh) and Harrisburg,” he said.  

Meanwhile PennDOT Spokesman Rich Kirkpatrick says despite the demand, expansion is never easy or risk-free.

“We can’t start a service that will set us back financially and our ongoing goal of keeping what we have in good shape,” Kirkpatrick said.

More ambitious and expensive are proposals to create two new routes between New York City and Scranton and the Lehigh Valley.