Schuylkill River Passenger Train Authority Applies For Federal Funds

PHOENIXVILLE, PA —The Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority submitted an application to the Federal Railroad Administration’s program to receive funding to restore passenger rail service in the Reading to Philadelphia corridor.

Thomas E. Frawley, the executive director, said Monday the application to participate in the Federal Rail Administration Corridor Identification and Development Program was submitted on March 20, a week earlier than the deadline.

The authority is expected to hear by late summer if the plan will move forward.

The application is for an intercity passenger rail with stops in Reading, Pottstown, Phoenixville, Philadelphia, and New York.

The authority consists of representatives from Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties working to secure federal funding and other contracts to restore passenger train service.

Amtrak and PennDOT provided information for the application, Scott France, authority member and executive member of the Montgomery County Planning Commission.

The proposal includes providing direct service from Reading to New York.

Informal committees in Reading, Pottstown, and Phoenixville have been discussing locations for train stations in the event the project moves ahead.

Jim Gerlach, president of the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance and an authority member, said that all three communities have been receptive to having train stops.

The authority has budgeted $1.3 million through 2025, with each county contributing $431,520.

More information is available on the authority's new website: www.gosrpra.com.