Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority Gets Quick Start

SOUTHEASTERN, PA - The newly created Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority is moving rapidly to restore passenger train service between Philadelphia and Reading.

The authority, consisting of nine members representing Montgomery, Chester and Berks counties, met for the second time Monday afternoon in a two-hour virtual meeting.

The 60-mile route will have stops in Norristown, Phoenixville, Pottstown and Reading, and possibly other locations. The train would then connect to New York and Washington, D.C.

The train will run on some existing Norfolk Southern tracks, along with new tracks and updated stations.

The first goal is for the authority to get approval from the Federal Railroad Administration to participate in the passenger train corridor program, which provides federal funding to restore passenger train service nationwide.

Consultants proposals

The primary topic discussed Monday was providing a transportation consultant to lead the project.

Representative of two firms, Transportation for America, based in Washington D.C., and Transportation & Management Inc., Frederick Md., provided brief presentations.

The board plans to meet in a private session to discuss the proposals and have a decision at its next meeting in August.

John Roberts Smith, chairman of Transportation of America, said his company is connected to the Federal Railroad Commission in Washington, D.C. and would be ready to prepare the authority to compete for funding.

Alex Metcalfe, president of TEMS, prepared a recent prior study on the project for Greater Reading Chamber Alliance in July 2020. He said that his company is familiar with the route and has provided consulting for eight passenger rail projects nationwide.

“We regard the Reading to Philadelphia northeast corridor as a great opportunity,” Metcalfe said.
He said the company would provide ongoing management, direction in selecting an executive director and a five-year plan.

He said using Amtrak is key for the project. Norfolk Southern is also part of the project.

The authority also address these issues:

• Selected Victory Bank, Limerick Township, as the financial institution
• Selected Kozloff Stoudt Attorneys, Wyomissing, as the interim solicitor.
• Selected gosrpra.com as the website.
• Meeting date is the fourth Monday of each month, except September and December, when they will meet on the third Monday of the month.