Having gained momentum after an April Fools? joke, advocates for restoring passenger rail service to the Southern Tier have initiated a grassroots campaign to fund an independent feasibility study.
Southern Tier On Track held its second meeting this past Thursday, February 23. Community members and various media outlets gathered at the Southeast Steuben County Library to discuss the potential economic benefits of bringing passenger rail service back to the Southern Tier.
Bruce Becker, Vice President of Operations for the National Association of Railroad Passengers, based in Washington, DC, spoke at the forum and announced his organization?s endorsement of the initiative. Becker said that he was impressed with the community’s grassroots approach, and reminded those in attendance that in a campaign such as this, the more individual support and financial contributions, the better.
Since launching the fundraising campaign, Southern Tier On Track has raised $122 of is goal.
To get involved, text: ONTRACK to 855-735-2437
The text will provide you with a link to a secure fundraising page, where you can donate any amount of your choosing.
Stay up-to-date with Southern Tier On Track with our Facebook page and website.
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Brianna Van Osdol
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The Southern Tier rail proposal makes a great deal of sense to me; train service NYC through NJ via the Lackawanna Cutoff to Scranton, then Binghamton, and then west – through Corning. But it ought to connect further if possible to Alfred (Alfred U and SUNY Alfred), and perhaps then Rochester or Buffalo with Amtrak. Put as many colleges as possible on the route, plus Pocono resorts, NYC commuters and more.
We need rail service in eastern Tioga County! There is no public transportation here. Lost without a car in a region (eastern Tioga County) with 800 houses against the side of a hill!