Due to the financial issues, the Erie merged with the Lackawanna in 1960, to form the Erie-Lackawanna Railroad, or EL. The EL immediately looked to reduce costs by eliminating redundant lines and consolidating passenger train routes. The "Erie Limited" and the "Lake Cities" were rerouted away from Paterson and instead over the Lackawanna main line through northwest New Jersey and the Poconos. Unnamed trains to Binghamton, where passengers could switch to the "Phoebe Snow" after a layover. The discontinuing of the "Phoebe Snow" (1966) and the "Atlantic Express" (1965) marked the end of long distance passenger service through Paterson.