Jan. 23, 2025 -- As a six-term member of Congress, former U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright of Moosic was a prime mover in the long and arduous effort to restore passenger rail service between Scranton and New York City. To help maintain the momentum toward that goal that Cartwright helped to create, the Lackawanna County commissioners on Wednesday appointed him to the board of the Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority.

“My work to restore passenger rail service to Northeastern Pennsylvania is the prime moving factor in my wanting to be on the PNRRA board,” Cartwright told The Times-Tribune following his appointment. “It’s been a consuming passion of mine ever since those PNRRA board members approached me in the summer of 2012, and being on the board gives me an avenue to stay active in advocating for this rail project. It will be transformational for Northeastern Pennsylvania. Every single business owner in our area will benefit.”

Commissioners Bill Gaughan, Matt McGloin and Chris Chermak all voted for the appointment.

The Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority has developed freight railroad service on lines formerly operated by several railroads, and has overseen the passenger rail restoration service on behalf of Lackawanna and Monroe counties. The plan to restore passenger service for the first time since 1970 would feature at least three daily roundtrips between Scranton and the Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station in Manhattan, with Pennsylvania stops in Mount Pocono and East Stroudsburg, and in New Jersey at Blairstown, Dover, Morristown, Montclair and Newark. Amtrak has estimated that the restored service would generate $84 million a year in new economic growth on both sides of the Delaware River.

Amtrak recently announced that the project is one of five in the nation to advance to the the second step of the three-step federal process -- completion of a Service Development Plan for the proposed project.

“Matt’s continued involvement in the process is a huge advantage,” Commissioner Bill Gaughan said. “He has unquestioned credibility among all of the key players in the project, and a wealth of knowledge about the project and the process.”

“No project is more important to the economic future of Northeast Pennsylvania,” Commissioner Matt McGloin added. “Matt’s desire to remain engaged, joining a strong board that has built a solid foundation for Amtrak to build on, bodes well for its success.”

The board seat is a volunteer position. Cartwright’s term runs through 2029.