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  • Reading & Northern Sues SECA-COG Joint Railway Authority

  • The Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad (reporting mark RBMN) (a.k.a. Reading and Northern Railroad) is a regional railroad operating in eastern Pennsylvania. Website: http://www.rbmnrr.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad (reporting mark RBMN) (a.k.a. Reading and Northern Railroad) is a regional railroad operating in eastern Pennsylvania. Website: http://www.rbmnrr.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 #1399523  by Jeff Smith
 
Progressive Railroading

Brief, fair-use:
...
In June 2015, R&N sued the JRA, alleging the authority illegally competes with the railroad and other for-profit businesses. R&N also alleged that the JRA failed to follow the legal requirements for competitive bidding as specified under the Pennsylvania Municipalities Authorities Act.

The railroad claims that since 1983, when JRA awarded a contract to the North Shore Railroad, the authority has not offered its operations for bid. R&N claims that, during those 30 years, the authority failed to return money to the taxpayers.
 #1399677  by one87th
 
It would appear Reading and Northern is not the only railroad fighting for a chance to bid on the North Shore contract. A Pittsburgh company is also interested in running the lines.

The following is a brief (fair use) excerpt from the following website:
http://wkok.com/pittsburgh-railroad-pit ... he-public/

Pittsburgh railroad pitches proposal to the public
Jennifer Wakeman | June 9, 2016
LEWISBURG – The fight over a new operating contract for the SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority is being taken to the court of public opinion. Carload Express of Pittsburgh sent a letter last week to media outlets across the Valley making their case to be the next operator for the JRA.
The letter, written by J. Alex Lang, Carload’s chief information officer, says they are ready to go to work for the JRA. Carload believes their proposal, which promises increased income for the authority and greater infrastructure investment is the best choice for the Valley. The 100 customers of the JRA may not agree.
 #1399688  by one87th
 
To clarify an earlier post, Reading and Northern is currently suing to run the North Shore group of railroads (six shortlines run in central Pennsylvania under contract for the SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority). Luzerne and Susquehanna Railway is a separate railroad, run for a different authority (Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority). Also, Delaware-Lackawanna is run for by Genesee Valley Transportation for yet another rail authority (Lackawanna County Rail Authority). This map shows the North Shore Railroads and the other respective systems which Reading and Northern could bid on to run.