Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some common questions about the Corridor One project.

About Corridor One

What and where is Corridor One?

Corridor One encompasses the major transportation, employment, and activity center of south central Pennsylvania, stretching from Carlisle to Harrisburg to Lancaster. Within this “corridor”, residential communities, employment centers, educational facilities, cultural amenities, arts, and recreation attractions are linked by the region’s major transportation network. Specifically for this phase of the project, Corridor One refers to the corridor between Harrisburg and Lancaster, selected as the initial leg of a regional rail system.

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What is regional rail?

Regional rail is a type of passenger train transit service that provides short-distance connections between urban cities and outlying suburban communities. Regional rail systems usually operate on the same tracks as intercity passenger (long-distance connections between major U.S. cities with few station stops) and freight rail.

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Will this be a light rail system?

No. This service will use conventional rail technology so that it can operate on the same rail lines used by freight trains.

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What is the difference between regional rail and light rail systems?

Regional Rail Systems	Light Rail Systems
Provide connections from suburban areas to urban cities	Serve trips within dense urban cities
Typical headways – 30 to 60 minutes	Typical headways – 1 to 15 minutes
Can share rail infrastructure with rail freight	Requires separation from all rail freight
Can use diesel or electric power	Generally only use electric power
Typical systems are 20 to 50 miles in length	Typical systems are 5 to 15 miles in length
Station spacing typically 2 to 10 miles	Stations spacing typically ¼ to 1 mile
Is usually accommodated on existing intercity rail facilities	Typically requires the acquisition and development of exclusive track within a metropolitan area
Riders typically utilize park and ride facilities at stations or bus connections to access system	Riders typically walk or use bus connections to access system

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Who is sponsoring the project?

The project sponsors are listed here.

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Who are: FTA, CAT, MTP, Red Rose Transit Authority, SCATA, AMTRAK, Norfolk Southern, and PennDOT?

Federal Transit Administration: The Federal Transit Administration is one of eleven modal administrations within the U.S. Department of Transportation. FTA is involved in all aspects of public transit, including buses, subways, light rail, commuter rail, monorail, passenger ferry boats, trolleys, inclined railways, and people movers. FTA provides financial assistance to develop new transit systems and improve, maintain, and operate existing systems. These grantees are responsible for managing their programs in accordance with federal requirements, and FTA is responsible for ensuring that grantees follow federal mandates along with statutory and administrative requirements.

Capital Area Transit: CAT, legally known as the Cumberland-Dauphin-Harrisburg Transit Authority, is the Harrisburg metropolitan region's provider of mass transportation services, including CAT bus service, CAT trolley service, and transit services for the elderly and disabled. Capital Area Transit is governed by a seven-member board of directors representing the counties of Cumberland and Dauphin and the city of Harrisburg.

Modern Transit Partnership: The Modern Transit Partnership (MTP) is a nonprofit organization that supports and promotes public transportation with the ultimate goal of bringing commuter rail to Central Pennsylvania. Launched in 1997 by the CAT Board of Directors, this partnership is made up of business, community, government and individual members who strive to develop a regional transportation plan that will meet tomorrow's transportation and infrastructure needs.

Red Rose Transit Authority: The Red Rose Transit Authority (RRTA) provides comprehensive public transportation services throughout Lancaster County. These include Red Rose Transit bus service; Red Rose Access providing county-wide shared ride (paratransit) service; and the Red Rose Trolley, providing shuttle and special services

South Central Area Transportation Authority (SCATA): Local governments in the region -- the city of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Cumberland County, the borough of Carlisle, the city and county of Lancaster, and the city and county of York -- are discussing the formation of the South Central Area Transportation Authority (SACTA). The new authority will serve as the owner and operator of the rail system and will begin to make key design decisions as the system evolves.

AMTRAK: Under the Rail Passenger Service Act of 1970, the National Railroad Passenger Company (AMTRAK) was created in 1971 and authorized to operate a nationwide system of passenger rail transportation. AMTRAK is a passenger railroad, whose preferred stock is primarily owned by the United States government through the United States Department of Transportation. Its principal business is to provide national rail passenger transportation service in the major intercity travel markets of the United States to the general public. AMTRAK passengers enjoy service in more than 500 communities in 46 states throughout a 22,000-mile route system. AMTRAK's Keystone Corridor Service provides daily service between Harrisburg and Philadelphia.

Norfolk Southern: Norfolk Southern is a Virginia-based holding company with headquarters in Norfolk. It controls a major freight railroad, the Norfolk Southern Railway Company, which operates 21,500 route miles in 22 eastern states, the District of Columbia and the Canadian province of Ontario. It serves 20 ports and connects with rail partners in the West and Canada, linking customers to markets around the world. Norfolk Southern provides comprehensive logistics services and offers the most extensive intermodal network in the East.

PennDOT: The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation owns and operates the nation's fifth largest state-owned highway system and administers one of the nation's largest grant programs for mass transit, rail freight and aviation.

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Will the existing rail line need to be modified to accommodate Corridor One?

Yes - existing track will be replaced and/or relocated where necessary, within the existing rail line right-of-way, to accommodate Corridor One service.

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Why does the proposed Corridor One rail service no longer go to Cumberland County?

Early in 2006, the scope of the project changed, no longer providing service between a new East Mechanicsburg station and Lancaster. The Cumberland County portion of the project was to have three new stations. Additionally, two new stations, on City Island and at Harrisburg Hospital, were part of the project. Due to lack of support from the Cumberland County commissioners, the Cumberland County portion, and the two new stations in Harrisburg have been removed from the project. In the future, with support from Cumberland County, Corridor One may extend into the county, providing a valuable link between communities on both shores of the Susquehanna River.

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About Funding

How will this project be funded?: Construction of the Corridor One regional rail service will use federal and state funding in combination with local private investment. Operational and maintenance funding will be provided by government funding sources and through revenue generated by the system.
Is the RAD (regional asset district) tax still being considered as a source of local funding?: No.

About the Trains

How often will the trains run?

A conceptual schedule for Corridor One service would provide trains approximately every one-half hour during the morning and evening peak commuter times, and hourly service during other weekday hours and weekends. Service may be offered between 18-20 hours a day.

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What will the trains look like?

A decision on the type of train to be used has not been made, but it is anticipated that the Corridor One trains would be similar to passenger trains used by AMTRAK. They would not be light rail trains. Regional rail trains can be electric or diesel and can be composed of coaches hauled by locomotives or self-propelled coaches. They are typically staffed with an engineer to operate the train and one or more additional employees to collect or check fares and assist passengers.

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How much will it cost to ride the trains?

The fare structure for Corridor One has not been developed, but CAT and MTP are working to provide an affordable and attractive transportation alternative. At this time, it appears that fares for a trip would be between $1 and $4.

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How will I get tickets?

Although the ticketing program is still under study, it is envisioned that riders would purchase a ticket from either a vendor or a ticket machine to legally board a Corridor One train. Tickets would be available at each station and possibly at other private retail centers. The availability of multi-ride tickets and monthly passes is being investigated.

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What do headway, peak period, and off-peak period refer to?

Headway: The scheduled time interval between trains or buses operating on a particular transit route (e.g., the interval between the scheduled times a train or bus is planned to stop at a location to pick-up or deliver passengers.)

Peak period: The period during which the maximum amount of travel (e.g. highest demand for passenger service) occurs. It may be specified as a morning (a.m.) or evening (p.m.) peak period. The peak period generally corresponds with the morning and evening commuter traveling periods as employees travel to and from their places of employment.

Off-peak period: The time period outside of the morning (a.m.) and evening (p.m.) peak period. Passenger service demand at this time is less than experienced during the peak period(s).

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About the Stations

How many stations will there be?

The project will provide regional rail service to five stations between Harrisburg and Lancaster, PA.

Harrisburg Transportation Center (HTC)
Middletown
Elizabethtown
Mount Joy
Lancaster

Additional stops may be available at the Harrisburg International Airport, and at a new, privately-funded station west of Lancaster in the future.

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How do I get to the stations?

CAT and RRTA bus routes will be revised to provide timely service to the stations along Corridor One. Many of the stations will include parking lots for rider use. Additionally, many of the stations are within walking distance from nearby communities.

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How will I get to my job from a station?

Each of the stations will be supported by other connecting transit service provided by CAT or RRTA. Typical bus service and possible special shuttles will be used to transport rail riders to employment centers. Some of the stations are also within walking distance of major employers or shopping and recreation destinations.

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Will the trains and stations be ADA compliant?

No changes to the existing stations or platforms are proposed for the existing AMTRAK stations east of the Harrisburg Transportation Center. No additional improvements to further accommodate access for individuals with physical disabilities are planned.

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