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Recently there has been much excitement over the hyperloop technology that would zap someone from Wilkes-Barre to Pittsburgh in 30 minutes. This project reminds me of wasted money on feasibility studies, politics and ultimately nothing more than an increase in taxes with nothing to show for the $2 million.
State Rep. Aaron Kaufer made a good point that his entire lifetime, we have been hearing about rail service to New York City, without one track being laid. As a former commuter, I always dreamed of a direct Amtrak link from Wilkes-Barre to Penn Station. Unfortunately, the former proposals had rail service originate in Wilkes-Barre, traverse to Scranton, the Poconos, northern New Jersey and finally Hoboken, N.J., in a cool 3 hours, 45 minutes! Once in Hoboken, you still have to cross the Hudson River into Manhattan. Not exactly a commuter’s dream four or five days a week.
Since our area now has many public transportation options for the NYC commuter, I would propose a new twist: Why not a direct rail link between Scranton, Wilkes-Barre and 30th Street Station in Philadelphia? When I say direct, I mean a two-hour train ride to Philadelphia. Much of the rail track is already in place along the same northeast extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Once in Philadelphia, I can travel north, south, east or west by rail. But please, no taxpayer money for feasibility studies.
John Minetola
Luzerne