Reading, Phoenixville, Norristown Train Restoration On Track

SOUTHEASTERN PA — Restoring passenger train service along the Schuylkill River between Reading and Philadelphia became closer to a reality Thursday when Montgomery, Berks, and Chester counties each approved advertising the formation of the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority.

The formation of an authority is required by law to proceed with the restoration of the train service, which has been a goal of all three counties.

The preliminary plan calls for stops in Reading, Birdsboro, Pottstown, Royersford, Phoenixville, Valley Forge, and Norristown. From there, passengers would connect to a train to Philadelphia.

Scott France, director of the Montgomery County planning commission, said there is a strong desire in all three counties to provide train service.

“It’s been in the works for 20 years,” he said. “The train will take the pressure off of Route 422.”

The Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority would replace an informal Tri-County Passenger Rail Committee formed in March 2021 to lay the groundwork for the train.

Each county will have three members. The next step is to provide public comment during hearings scheduled in April.

The passenger rail service would provide transportation and job opportunities to communities in the suburbs of southeastern Pennsylvania.

The committee decided the best option is to work with Amtrak and the Federal Railroad Administration, which was allocated $66 billion in the bipartisan infrastructure law passed earlier this year to restore the service.

France said Amtrak has informally agreed to provide bus service along the route until the train is ready to open.

Some of the tracks are Norfolk Southern freight train tracks. By law, Amtrak has the legal right to use the freight train lines, France said.

The committee is confident that passenger rail service through Reading, Pottstown and Phoenixville could potentially generate more than $1 billion in new property development and existing property value increases, which translates to thousands of jobs and the expansion of local and federal tax bases over the next 30 years, according to a press release provided by Chester County.

How to review the train proposals

Montgomery County: Proposed bylaws and articles of incorporation for the SRPRA are posted on the Montgomery County website at www.montcopa.org/SRPRA for public review.
A public hearing is scheduled at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 20, in the Montgomery County commissioners board room, One Montgomery Plaza, 425 Swede St., 8th floor, Norristown.

Chester County: Proposed bylaws are posted on www.chesco.org/passengerrail and comments can be submitted to ccplanning@chesco.org. A public hearing is scheduled at the board of commissioners meeting 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 27.

Berks County: The proposal is available on the Berks County website here and feedback can be submitted to passengerrail@countyofberks.com. The Berks Alliance funded a study about the benefits of passenger rail service to Berks County. The study can be found here. A public hearing is scheduled at the board of commissioners meeting at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 21.