The Times Leader
May 07, 2014 – 12:00 AM
By JENNIFER LEARN-ANDES
The regional authority that oversees train service in Lackawanna and Monroe counties is open to the possibility of merging with Luzerne County’s rail system, an official said.
Luzerne County Councilman Rick Williams has proposed forming a committee to explore putting the Luzerne County Rail Corp.’s 56 miles of track under the Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Rail Authority, saying the move could improve the chances of bringing passenger rail to Wilkes-Barre.
The Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Rail Authority, which covers Lackawanna and Monroe, owns 100 miles of rail and is spearheading plans for passenger rail service linking Scranton to a New Jersey line that connects to New York City.
A merger could put Luzerne County at the head table in passenger rail plans, Williams said.
Pennsylvania Northeast representatives are willing to review merger options and had unsuccessfully discussed the possibility of combining operations with Luzerne County officials when the regional authority formed in 2006, said authority President Lawrence Malski.