Pa. picks up $15.5M tab for cross-state trains

Pennsylvania on Tuesday reached agreement with Amtrak to assume the full $15.5 million subsidy for passenger trains operating between Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Pittsburgh.

Tuesday was the deadline for states, including Pennsylvania, to pick up the operating and capital subsidies, under a 2008 federal law.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will provide $10.9 million for operations and $4.6 million for capital costs in the next 12 months, said PennDot spokeswoman Erin Waters-Trasatt.

Amtrak currently operates 14 daily trips in each direction on the Keystone service between Philadelphia and Harrisburg, and passengers pay for about 75 percent of the cost. The Pennsylvanian operates one trip a day between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, with continuing service to Philadelphia and New York City. - Paul Nussbaum