Schuylkill River Train On Track; New “Conductor” On Board

SOUTHEASTERN, PA — Schuylkill River Passenger Train Authority announced Tuesday its members unanimously voted to appoint Berwyn-based Thomas E. Frawley as interim director, effective immediately.

The authority is a newly created board with representatives of three counties, Berks, Montgomery and Chester, overseeing a project to restore passenger train service from Philadelphia to Reading, with stops in Norristown, Phoenixville, Pottstown and Reading.

The project envisions passengers being able to connect from Philadelphia to New York and Washington, D.C.

During its third meeting, the authority on Monday also adopted an annual operating budget for the next four years, set up a website and hired a project consultant.

As interim executive director will lead efforts to formalize agreements, pursue funding and partner with rail operators and federal transportation agencies.

Frawley has over 40 years of experience in planning, engineering, procurement, operation, and management of transportation systems.

As principal and founder of Thomas E. Frawley Consulting, LLC, he has focused on transportation systems, primarily in public transit and passenger rail, as well as highways, airports, and bus systems.

He has worked with organizations, including Virginia Railway Express, Amtrak, California High Speed Rail Authority, and Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Frawley has a law degree from Temple University, an MBA from Pepperdine University, and a bachelor’s of science from Lehigh University.

Berks County Commissioner Christian Leinbach, chairman of the authority, said Frawley will lead the authority as it navigates the many steps it will take to restore train service.

“Tom brings to the role his immense professional expertise, as well as a personal interest as a resident of the region who understands the value a Reading to Philadelphia rail service will mean for the economy, and for everyone who lives here,” Leinbach said.

Frawley worked with Phoenixville’s Mayor’s Task Force on a study for potential restoration of passenger rail service between Phoenixville and Philadelphia, giving him current insights regarding potential regional rail ridership and operational considerations, as well as an understanding of institutional issues.

On June 30, 1981, passenger rail service between Reading and Philadelphia ended.

Other developments include:

• PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian notified the authority that the state agency supports the project.
• Amtrak officials agreed to meet regularly with the authority to discuss the project.
• Transportation for America was picked as the consultant, but a contract has yet been reached.
• The authority also adopted a budget that calls for salaries for an executive director, consultants, and overhead costs for the next three years.
• The budget projects expenses for October to December this year at $82,630. The projected expenses are $378,140 for 2023, $410,734 for 2024 and $423, 056 for 2025.
• The expenses are primarily to pay for an executive director, support staff and consultant.