At a recent House Democratic Policy hearing on the Progress of the Passenger Rail Restoration Project, legislative members explored that topic. The hearing was chaired by Policy Chairman Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie, and state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery. As a policy committee member, I welcomed Lawrence C. Malski, president of the Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority, who testified about the restoration of passenger rail service, currently under construction in northeastern Pennsylvania. Malski testified that over 20,000 Pennsylvania residents currently reside in northeastern Pennsylvania and commute to workplaces in northern New Jersey and New York City by bus and car. He said the dire daily and increasing congestion these commuters face on Interstate 80 threatens their ability to get to work. The commuter rail aspect of the rail restoration project would provide a safe, secure, all-weather, and reliable transportation alternative for Pennsylvania’s commuter residents and will help relieve congestion on I-80 for New Jersey residents traveling this route during rush hour.