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(erielack) Scranton Light Rail

The following appeared in today's Scranton Times-Tribune. Last week, an 
article was published with a map that showed a combination of light rail and 
commuter bus service routes that can be established from Carbondale to 
Scranton, from Scranton to WB, from WB south and from suburbs east and west of both.
 
With renewed energy in seeing intercity passenger service from NYC to 
Scranton become a reality, to see interest in a mass transit system that 
encompasses the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area is good news. Yes, it's a vision, but the 
vision is there and it's being discussed. Before we say, "Ain't ever gonna 
happen", let's look at now and the future.
 
Part of the famed Laurel Line is in operation from downtown Scranton to PNC 
Field, home of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. S/WB are lucky in that 
there are many rights of way in existence and with proper planning, the cost 
of construction can be reduced. It's all in the planning.
 
There is one other thing that hasn't been mentioned. When intercity service 
is restored, a light rail/commuter bus system would be a convenient way for 
people to commute into Scranton and then board NJT or Amtrak to their 
destinations.
 
Every region has a hub and when we look at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 
particular, we see that Scranton is the natural transit hub.
 
Adding a lane or two to I81 will only support demand for so long. The 
combination of light rail/commuter bus with a connection to intercity rail 
service will prove to be the better bet.
 
Rick
 
Experts: Light rail is costly, but worthwhile choice
By Charles Schillinger (Staff Writer) 
Published: June 18, 2009 

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Building a light rail system costs about $46.2 million a mile on average, 
slightly more than the rough estimates local officials have thrown around for 
adding a lane to the valley's Interstate 81 corridor. 
But light rail experts say the benefits of a passenger rail system are 
worth the price tag and more cost-efficient than adding lanes to highways. 
At a meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. today at the University of Scranton's 
Brennan Hall, planning officials will seek public input on the preliminary 
draft of Lackawanna and Luzerne counties' 20-year Bi-County Comprehensive Plan 
that calls for revival of a passenger train service between Scranton and 
Wilkes-Barre to curb congestion on the region's roads. 
Looking at 400 miles of light rail lines built over the past 30 years, 
light rail expert David Dobbs, publisher of Light Rail Now, said the cost per 
mile in today's dollars comes to about $46.2 million. But he said cost varies 
greatly depending on location. 
Charlotte, N.C., for example, added 9.6 miles of light rail at a cost of 
$437.9 million in 2009 dollars, or $45.6 million per mile. But the 2007 
project included buying rights-of-way - something Lackawanna and Luzerne counties 
already have - buying vehicles, building bridges and even running the rail 
line through the city's convention center. 
In comparison, Allegheny County renovated an unused but existing 5.2-mile 
rail line at a cost of $130.7 million in 2009 dollars, or $25.1 million per 
mile. 
Based on those examples, total upfront costs to establish 18 miles of light 
rail between Scranton and Wilkes-Barre might range between $452 million and 
$821 million - an extraordinary cost, but less than the $1 billion 
estimates to expand I-81 between Nanticoke and Clarks Summit. 
It is possible another lane is needed along I-81, said Teri Ooms, executive 
director of the Wilkes-Barre-based Institute for Public Policy and Economic 
Development. But, at some point, the region needs a fresh alternative like 
the light rail concept. 
"Every time there is a problem we can't build a lane (on I-81). Otherwise 
we're just going to end up like California, with 5- to 6-lane freeways and 
multiple freeways," she said. 
An obstacle to getting such a major undertaking as light rail under way is 
convincing people it will work, said Dr. John Spychalski, professor emeritus 
of supply chain management at Penn State. 
"There's no way to test to see if it will work. That's a difficult issue," 
he said. 
Mr. Dobbs said smaller cities can tackle light rail as long as there is a 
high population density along a rail corridor, he said. 
County planners say the valley surrounding Scranton and Wilkes-Barre has 
made that possible. And a rail line that makes stops in downtown Scranton, PNC 
Field, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, Wachovia Arena and downtown 
Wilkes-Barre has potential, officials say. 
The largest challenge remains funding. PennDOT's funding stream isn't 
exactly healthy, especially with federal officials striking down efforts to toll 
Interstate 80. Press Secretary Rich Kirkpatrick said they barely can fund 
basic needs, let alone new ventures. 
"It's always good to be exploring options like this, but we have to 
remember what a critical funding situation we're in right now, without talking 
about doing anything new at all," he said. 
Contact the writer: cschillinger_@_timesshamrock.com
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