The Maryland General Assembly passed legislation requiring the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) to negotiate with Virginia and Delaware to extend MARC train services, now Delaware is considering the partner legislation.

Maryland’s HB 1236 – Transit – Maryland Area Regional Commuter Train – Expansion of Service, made it’s way through the General Assembly and is now waiting for Governor Hogan’s signature. The bill would require MTA to reach written agreements to extend MARC train services to Virginia and Delaware and conduct a feasibility study on constructing a rail connection between Penn Station and Camden Station. The partnering legislation being considered in Delaware, House Concurrent Resolution 81, would authorize the Secretary of Transportation to expand regional rail connections.

From Delaware Business Now:

Currently, there is no commuter rail service running between Newark and Perryville, which is one of the only regional rail gaps along the Northeastern Corridor, and the only one between New York and Washington, D.C. Delawareans wishing to travel via train to Baltimore or DC are required to either take Amtrak – which is more expensive – or drive to the Perryville station to ride on a MARC train.

With the new Newark rail station under construction and slated to open next year, lawmakers want to connect  MARC and SEPTA, which runs through southeastern Pennsylvania down to Newark – at the future Newark hub.