Re: (erielack) Port Jervis-Hawley-Honesdale

["Jim Guthrie" <jguthrie_@_pipeline.com>]

> Whoever wrote on this awhile back mentioned that MetroNorth service
> (operated by NJT) could only be extended across the border with approval 
> from PA
> and NY. I'm not 100% sure if I have that correct. Can anyone clarify this 
> for
> us?

The MTA can authorize the same arrangement for MN with Pennsylvania that it 
has with Connecticut. It is my understanding that no further NYS action 
would be needed. The original MTA deal with CR was that MN had operating 
rights to the next NY station beyond Sparrowbush -- which would be west of 
Lackawaxen, but to provide service, Sullivan County would need to join the 
MTA -- which would be highly unlikely <g>.

If the MTA and Pennsylvania did get together on this (and Pike County is one 
of the ten fastest growing counties in the United States -- and IIRC only 
one outside the Sunbelt -- see the plates on cars parked at Port Jervis and 
Middletown), I wonder if PA would insist on bar cars just like Connecticut 
<vbg>? Such service would be an instant success, I'll bet!

Those who've ridden Short Line buses to places like Middletown and Port 
Jervis know that fares are far higher on Short Line -- but service is a bit 
faster. A woman we met on the train going to an O&W Society event in 
Middletown told us her destination was Ellenville -- and the train to 
Middletown and taxi to Ellenville was cheaper than the Short Line Bus! (not 
OT, Ellenville was on the right of way of Erie subsidiary Delaware Valley 
and Kingston <g>).

Short Line also runs commuter buses to Hawley and Honesdale . Although a 
trip to Honesdale on Short Line is nice, it is disappointing that 
Honesdale-Hawley-Scranton public transportation is unavailable. Even Port 
Jervis-Scranton disappeared some years ago after the big Greyhound strike.

The MN operating rights were used one time AFAIK -- a fan trip using NJT 
equipment to Lackawaxen, where transfer was made to ride the Stourbridge 
Line to Honesdale and return.

I'm not aware if these agreements were changed when NS and the MTA 
renegotiated the Port Jervis-Suffern rights.

Cheers,
Jim Guthrie
ELHS #1296 


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