HARRISBURG – Sen. Wayne Langerholc Jr. (R-35) successfully urged his colleagues to support Senate Resolution 76, which green-lights a study of increased passenger rail service between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg.
The resolution, which requires that a study be completed in 12 months, was adopted by a vote of 50 to 0.
“I believe in passenger rail,” Sen. Langerholc said. “I believe in its effectiveness to connect smaller cities and towns with larger urban centers. And, I believe this will be the catalyst for creating and driving economic growth and rejuvenating our smaller cities.”
As a native of Greater Johnstown, Langerholc equated Johnstown to a “smaller Pittsburgh,” and said, “more rail service would greatly enhance not only the Greater Johnstown region, but Pittsburgh as well.”
He noted that only one train travels between Pittsburgh and Johnstown each day.
“More trains equal more economic opportunity to the region,” Langerholc said. “I have talked to many business leaders in the Johnstown community and downtown Pittsburgh.
“They know the impact increased passenger rail will have on the regional economy – from an increased pool of employees, to connections between universities such as Carnegie Mellon, Duquesne and the University of Pittsburgh.
“Couple that with increased cultural, recreational and quality of life opportunities, and it is easy to see the benefits more service will bring.”