Rail Service: Scranton - New York URGENT! (Philadelphia, Wilkes-Barre: apartment, rental)

[Magritte25]

Originally Posted by NYRangers 2008

Magritte just doesn't get what we're saying. I have lived on Long Island and rode the train a lot to the city and have seen drug dealers on there and the like, they are there, don't be naive. I still don't see the benefits of the train. She used the example of The Crossings. Most of the NY and NJ people that frequent that have second homes up here and drive up and stop there because it is right off of I-80. I doubt many people would come up here by train just to go there, maybe some, but not enough to justify it. Again, how does this benefit the WB/Scranton area. What is around here that would lure New Yorkers here?

I get what you are saying. I simply disagree.

[olbluesguy]

Can you imagine all the day trip ski enthusiasts that will head for the poconos.
More mooola in the pockets of the locals.

[Trucker7]

Originally Posted by Magritte25

Ooops! Forgot. The undesirables will find a way to get here via the Martz bus line. I don't believe that because a train is coming into an area that all of the sudden these "undesirables" are going to say "Hey! We can ride the rails into PA now." That isn't realistic, IMO.

Drug dealers would have to make a hell of a good sale to justify paying $76 RT from NYC to Scranton in a Martz bus. And Martz doesn't stop in any major NJ cities, like Newark, Jersey City, or Paterson. On the other hand, a train will definitely stop in those cities and would probably cost around $20-25 RT. On top of that, NJ residents on welfare are provided with a NJ Transit monthly pass, courtesy of NJ taxpayers, which means that they can actually come to Scranton for free.

[Trucker7]

Also, privately owned Martz will not be able to compete with a taxpayer funded rail system. If Martz closes, then you send another 200 or 300 people, between drivers, mechanics, ticket agents, station personnel, and office staff, to the unemployment lines. I'm not sure how that will benefit the region. You bet that a NJ Transit train will employ mostly NJ residents.

[Magritte25]

Originally Posted by Trucker7

Drug dealers would have to make a hell of a good sale to justify paying $76 RT from NYC to Scranton in a Martz bus. And Martz doesn't stop in any major NJ cities, like Newark, Jersey City, or Paterson. On the other hand, a train will definitely stop in those cities and would probably cost around $20-25 RT. On top of that, NJ residents on welfare are provided with a NJ Transit monthly pass, courtesy of NJ taxpayers, which means that they can actually come to Scranton for free.

I still don't believe that there will be a huge influx of drug dealers coming into this area *simply* because there is a train. That isn't the way it works. There has to be a demand in the area and there already is...and the dealers already know how to get here and already get here just fine without a train. They are going to come either way. I do not believe that the drug dealer argument is strong enough to put a stop to public transportation development.

[Magritte25]

Originally Posted by Trucker7

Also, privately owned Martz will not be able to compete with a taxpayer funded rail system. If Martz closes, then you send another 200 or 300 people, between drivers, mechanics, ticket agents, station personnel, and office staff, to the unemployment lines. I'm not sure how that will benefit the region. You bet that a NJ Transit train will employ mostly NJ residents.

Again, I disagree. Many cities have multiple transportation modes - Philadelphia, Chicago, NYC, San Diego etc.

[MovingOutOfNJ]

Just Cant teach old dogs new tricks i guess...

what does it matter about the taxes.. if the state doesnt tax you for rail, it will tax you for something else. It'll raise the cigarette tax again( i cant wait for that)which would really cripple NEPA.. it will put a high tax on liqour.. we will always be taxed for everything. its not going to break your bank.

Having Rail is another option to travel. Lay the groundwork for real Public Transportation. wether its SWB Light Rail or NYC Trains. I'm tired of driving 2 1/2 hours to Jersey.. even a half hour drive to scranton is annoying. Why sit in Rush-Hour Traffic on the Martz Bus... Sit on a Train and relax. Read the Paper. Take a Nap. forget about gas prices.

Maybe if people stopped complaining about change, and gave it a chance - real differences could be made.

Could you imagine the benefit people would have around here if they were able to live without a car? no gas prices.. no car insurance, no car payments, etc...

That would be possible if NEPA had a Big City Quality Mass Transit system. The Cities of WB and Scranton seem to be developing some kind of night life.. who needs a drunk driver - hop on the city bus at 2 AM. Currently.. Buses for LCTA and COLT stop around 5 or 6. thats such a poor mass transit option.

How many have actually been on a train every day in NJ or NY... there will be some of your famous "undesireables" but theres also a TON of White Collar workers on those trains and buses every day.

and for everyone who thinks people from scranton wouldnt try to find a job in NYC after a train came.. i think you should re-evaluate that. I know for a fact i wouldnt mind living in SWB and taking a 3 hour Stress Free Train Ride into NYC every Morning. and for the NYC Pay Rate? definately worth it. however, a 3 hour ride on a bus or a car in stop n go traffic worrying about rear-ending /getting rear-ended would not be worth it.

stop shooting down progress and give it a try..

[Mr Yuk]

Originally Posted by Magritte25

Again, I disagree. Many cities have multiple transportation modes - Philadelphia, Chicago, NYC, San Diego etc.

Hmmmm.. which one of these does not belong?

1. New York City
2. Chicago
3. Philadelphia
4. San Diego
5. Scranton



This is small-town America, not the big city. I still do not understand why people want to bring big city life here. If you want the big city, then move there. I get it...you people want the best of both worlds, the low cost of living of NEPA along with big city life. But the problem is, if this area becomes the big city, the problems also come along with it: high cost of living, crime, high taxes, etc. So why ruin this area....if you don't like what this area is, and would rather a NYC lifestyle, this is a free country, you can move to NYC.

[W-B proud]

Originally Posted by go phillies

Hmmmm.. which one of these does not belong?

1. New York City
2. Chicago
3. Philadelphia
4. San Diego
5. Scranton



This is small-town America, not the big city. I still do not understand why people want to bring big city life here. If you want the big city, then move there. I get it...you people want the best of both worlds, the low cost of living of NEPA along with big city life. But the problem is, if this area becomes the big city, the problems also come along with it: high cost of living, crime, high taxes, etc. So why ruin this area....if you don't like what this area is, and would rather a NYC lifestyle, this is a free country, you can move to NYC.

Nicely said, and I agree 100%!

[Trucker7]

Go philles couldn't have said it better. I thought that people move to NEPA to get away from the city. Yet, some people want the city to come along with them and impose their progressive way of life on people that have lived here for generations.