MARC service to continue across West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 12/23/2019 Rail News: Passenger Rail
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice announced the continued MARC service at the Martinsburg Station in West Virginia.Photo – Gov. Jim Justice Flickr

West Virginia and Maryland state officials have agreed to continue the Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) commuter-rail service to West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle in 2020, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice announced last week. 

The Maryland Department of Transportation's Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA), which operates MARC, requested $3.4 million to continue the service in West Virginia. Municipal leaders from the Eastern Panhandle communities of Shepherdstown, Ranson, Charles Town, Harpers Ferry, Bolivar and Martinsburg, along with the Jefferson County Commission and the Berkeley County Council, contributed the funds, according to a press release issued by Justice’s office. 

“Hundreds of West Virginians and several businesses use this important service every day and I’m fully committed to keeping it running in our state for many years to come," Justice said.

Justice and West Virginia leaders are in contract negotiations with the MDOT MTA to reach a multiyear agreement.

In addition, Justice directed Tourism Commissioner Chelsea Ruby to research and pursue tourism-related MARC ridership in West Virginia.