Actually, the driving force behind this bill ( House Bill 681) is the BRAC ( Federal Base Realignment and Closure) process which will result in base military base closures around the country, with many of the functions of the closed bases being relocated to Maryland's Edgewood Arsenal, Aberdeen Proving Ground ( both in Harford County, MD) and Fort Meade ( in Anne Arundel County, near the Howard County line)-- I am looking at the actual Bill as I write this.
Because of this, this bill has a much better chance of resulting in some expansion of MARC service north of Perryville than one might think. Maryland officials are expecting a large influx of new employees, both in the Edgewood-Aberdeen area and in the Northern Anne Arundel County- Eastern Howard County ( Ft. Meade) area. If Newark, Del. experiences an influx of new residents made up of people working at either of the two Harford County bases, you could see more of a reason for MD. to begin discussions with Delaware ( and Amtrak) with a goal of extending Marc Service further north, or Septa Service further south.---- And, the idea might not be dead, even if HB 681 isn't passed this year. Legislation often has to be introduced in several sessions of the Legislature before it is passed. Also remember that the Maryland General Assembly is a part time Legislature-- it is only in session from January through mid April-- so this bill might run out of time this year-- if it does, I would expect it to be re-introduced at next year's session.
BTW--- the Legislature has approved a study of extending DC Metrorail's Green Line to BWI---through Fort Meade, with a possible branch to Columbia----also prompted by the BRAC process.
Please Move to the Rear and Speed Your Ride
( Philadelphia Transportation Company)