Letter to Joseph H. Boardman, Amtrak Interim President and CEO

Letter

Letter to Joseph H. Boardman, Amtrak Interim President and CEO

SCHUMER URGES NEW AMTRAK PRESIDENT TO HELP BRING EFFICIENT, RELIABLE TRAIN SERVICE BETWEEN BINGO AND NYC - EXPAND RAIL SERVICE FROM SCRANTON TO BINGHAMTON

With Scranton-Hoboken Line Moving Forward, Expanding Rail Service from Scranton to Binghamton Would Provide Vital Link to NYC - Profoundly Impact Economic Development in the Region

Schumer Successfully Urged NYSDOT and Amtrak This Year to Conduct Feasibility Study, and Built Coalition of Supportive U.S. Senators to Ratchet-Up Pressure

Senator Writes Personal Letter to New Amtrak Interim President and CEO Joseph Boardman, a native New Yorker and Binghamton University Grad, Requesting His Attention to Bingo-NYC Train Service

In a boost to efforts to establish train service between Binghamton and New York City, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today urged new Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman to look into expanding rail service from Scranton to Binghamton, which would provide a vital link to New York City for Binghamton residents and aide economic development across the region. Earlier this year, Schumer announced that New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and Amtrak had agreed to conduct a feasibility study for rail service along the I-81 rail corridor. The Senator also ratcheted-up pressure by building a powerful congressional coalition, consisting of fellow New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and Pennsylvania Senators Bob Casey and Arlen Specter, to pressure Amtrak to conduct the feasibility study.

Calling more attention to the issue, Schumer, in a personal letter today, requested Boardman's attention to the efforts of bringing vital train service between Binghamton and New York City by expanding rail service from Scranton to Binghamton. Schumer also congratulated Boardman on his new appointment.

"I believe Mr. Boardman, who went to school at BU, could be a big help in our efforts to secure efficient rail train service between Binghamton and New York City," Schumer said. "Train service between Binghamton and New York City would be a huge win-win by providing critical rail service for residents and an economic boost for the region. Mr. Boardman comes into this position with a wealth of knowledge and expertise and I am confident he will make strong contributions to Amtrak."

Schumer has long stressed that an existing joint Pennsylvania- New Jersey effort to return commuter based service between Scranton and Hoboken, New Jersey, known as the New Jersey-Pennsylvania Lackawanna Cutoff Rail Restoration, holds the potential to create a rail link from Binghamton to New York City, via Scranton and Hoboken. The Lackawanna Cutoff Project will connect with existing New Jersey Transit Lines leading into New York City. The Binghamton - Scranton line would hook up to the Lackawanna Cutoff Project once it's completed for access to New York City, complementing this project by providing even more access for riders.

This passenger rail expansion would provide countless benefits to Binghamton residents who would take advantage of this new service to ultimately gain access to New York City by way of Scranton and Hoboken. Additionally, with this new service, more business and leisure travelers from New York City would be able to access the many assets—from academic facilities to businesses and cultural opportunities—that Binghamton has to offer, and tap into the local economy for new economic development opportunities.

Schumer in November of 2007 sent a letter to the NY Transportation Commissioner Astrid Glynn and Amtrak CEO Alexander Kummant urging them to conduct a feasibility study that analyzes the costs and benefits of passenger service and documents commuter patterns. The scope of the study is intended to compliment the Binghamton Based Intercity Rail Passenger Study submitted to New York State Department of Transportation in 2002. Once the state requests this study, Amtrak can move forward with the project using existing funds already budgeted for this purpose.

In January, Schumer built a powerful Congressional coalition to ratchet-up pressure on Amtrak to conduct a feasibility study for the passenger rail service. The coalition consists of fellow New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and Pennsylvania Senators Bob Casey and Arlen Specter.

Today, Schumer wrote to Boardman in his letter, "The efforts the states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey have undertaken to mitigate traffic congestion and restore commuter service into New York City as far as Scranton have created a ripe opportunity for the Southern Tier to connect to this effort. The connection out of Binghamton thru Scranton will provide a vital link for residents of the Southern Tier to New York City and at the same time profoundly impact economic development throughout this region. As a native New Yorker I know you have a strong understanding and appreciation for our great State and the many challenges it faces and certainly recognize the value that such a project could bring."

Below is a full copy of the letter:

Joseph H. Boardman
60 Massachusetts Avenue NE
Washington D.C 20002

Dear Mr. Boardman,

I write to you today to firstly congratulate you on having been named Amtrak's interim President and CEO. You bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise from your many years working in and with various facets of the transportation industry. I know you will make strong contributions to this critical component of our nation's transportation network and I look forward to working with you and seeing Amtrak continue to thrive under your tenure.

I also write to you today in regards to an effort to implement passenger rail service from Binghamton New York to Scranton, Pennsylvania to ultimately reach New York City. This is a project that I have been a strong supporter of and lobbied both the New York State Department of Transportation and Amtrak to assist with a ridership feasibility study of said route.

The efforts the states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey have undertaken to mitigate traffic congestion and restore commuter service into New York City as far as Scranton have created a ripe opportunity for the Southern Tier to connect to this effort. The connection out of Binghamton thru Scranton will provide a vital link for residents of the Southern Tier to New York City and at the same time profoundly impact economic development throughout this region. As a native New Yorker I know you have a strong understanding and appreciation for our great State and the many challenges it faces and certainly recognize the value that such a project could bring.

I appreciate the responsiveness of both the New York State Department of Transportation and Amtrak to my requests thus far. I understand that the parameters of a ridership feasibility study are under development and look forward to the commencement of this analysis. As you assume the duties and responsibilities of President and CEO of Amtrak you should be mindful of the importance this critical project holds for the entire Southern Tier Region. I ask that you do everything in your power to support this effort and see that it continues to receive the utmost attention.

Again congratulations on your appointment. I thank you for your attention to this matter and stand ready to assist you and Amtrak in any way I am able. If you have any further questions please feel free to contact my Southern Tier Regional Director Amanda Spellicy at 607.772.6792

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