Schumer calls on railroad operator to determine course of action

ALBANY – With Chenango County running out of time to preserve a rail line that stretches between Binghamton and Utica and transform it into an engine fueling regional tourism and economic development, today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer called on the rail’s current owner to give the county more time to formulate and submit a bid to acquire ownership. New York Susquehanna & Western Railway (NYS&W), has already taken the first step towards abandoning the line by initiated the process with the United States Department of Transportation's Surface Transportation Board. Without intervention, this plan will eventually terminate the rail line as a functional route and leave county leaders without the necessary time to submit their own plan to maintain the rail’s functionality as an alternative to the congestion-plagued Route 12.

Senator Schumer has personally called on the rail line’s owner to delay submitting its application for termination for up to a year. This delay will give the county the necessary time to assess and create a business plan to obtain the property and possibly the rail line.

 “This railway could be a boon to both tourism and economic development across Chenango County, and local leaders will be missing a golden opportunity if they aren’t given the necessary time to properly formulate a plan to acquire it,” said Senator Schumer. “Today I’m calling on the railway’s current owner to hit the brakes when it comes to terminating the railway, giving local residents a fair chance to turn a sow’s ear into a silk purse.”