Mayor Kraham Announces Rail Service Exploration

Mayor Kraham Announces City to Explore Passenger Rail Service to Binghamton Through Federal Corridor ID Program

City Seeking Firm to Lead Grant Application for $500,000 to Support Service Development Plan

(BINGHAMTON, N.Y.)-Mayor Jared M. Kraham on Thursday announced the City of Binghamton is seeking an experienced firm to assist with submission of a grant proposal to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Corridor Identification and Development (Corridor ID) Program, the first step of a long process in exploring passenger rail service to Binghamton.

Mayor Kraham said: "Passenger rail service in Binghamton could fundamentally revitalize our local economy and deliver a service residents and elected officials have been dreaming about for decades. With plans advancing to restore passenger rail service between Scranton and New York City, the time for Binghamton to act is now. We must join other communities, like Scranton, in taking advantage of new federal grants to study passenger rail. This won't happen quickly, and the City ultimately won't be the lead agency. But Binghamton must be bold and proactive to spark the process. This is the first step toward building a coalition of local, state and federal partners to support smart, sustainable rail investment that can drive economic and workforce development across the Southern Tier."

This week, the City issued a request for statements of qualifications (RFQ) from professional engineering and planning firms to lead the City's application for funding and technical assistance through Corridor ID, a federal grant program launched under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Corridor ID helps communities identify and develop high-potential passenger rail corridors, offering up to $500,000 to advance planning, scope of service development, cost estimates and timelines.

Steve Strauss, Executive Director of the Empire State Passengers Association, said: "The Empire State Passengers Association applauds Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham's decision to step up and prepare a Corridor Identification and Development program application in advance of the next round of solicitations from the Federal Railroad Administration. With Pennsylvania and Amtrak advancing a Service Development Plan for trains between Scranton and New York City, Binghamton is a logical next extension. And his action comes as New York State DOT prepares to kick off an update of our 2009 State Rail Plan. It is all very timely for more passenger train service in New York."

Stacey Duncan, CEO of the Leadership Alliance (Broome County IDA and the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce), said: "Conducting a thorough corridor study is a prudent and responsible step in evaluating the long-term feasibility of returning passenger rail service to Binghamton. This study will provide the important data, cost estimates, and partnership framework to determine how such an investment could revitalize the region. I commend Mayor Kraham's thoughtful leadership and proactive approach."

The FRA's Corridor ID Program funds early-stage planning and analysis to prepare intercity passenger rail corridors for future service implementation. It creates a pipeline of projects ready for full service development.

Earlier this month, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced it is advancing the Scranton to New York Penn Station Passenger Rail Corridor project following its Corridor ID selection and federal grant funding. The project is one of just five in the U.S. to reach this stage of federal approval.

With this week's RFQ, the City is seeking a firm with expertise in transportation infrastructure and Corridor ID programs. The selected firm will help strengthen Binghamton's bid through coordinated efforts with New York State Department of Transportation, local agencies, regional planning groups, Amtrak, host railroads and community groups.

Qualified firms are encouraged to review the full RFQ, now available on the City's Procurement Portal at https://www.binghamton-ny.gov/Home/Components/RFP/RFP/376/90.

Submissions must include statements of qualifications, project approach, team resumes, relevant experience, and references. Applications are due to the City of Binghamton's Purchasing Department by 10:30am on Wednesday, March 25.