Train From Philadelphia To Reading Moves Closer To Reality

SOUTHEASTERN, PA —The newly formed Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority unanimously voted Monday to grant preliminary approval for Transportation for America, Washington, D.C., to serve as the project consultant.

The approval is contingent on a review of the contract by the authority’s solicitor.

The authority is a newly created board with representatives of three counties 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 or Washington, D.C.

The vote followed an executive session on a Zoom to discuss proposals for the consultant for the project.

Transportation for America and Maryland-based Transportation Economics & Management Systems, Inc. provided proposals for the consultant job.

John Robert Smith, chairman of Transportation for America, said at a July meeting that the company has connections to the key transportation players in Washington, D.C.

In a prior transportation study, Amtrak said its goal is to increase mobility for Reading and Philadelphia residents to and from the broader northeast region with daily multi-frequency service.

Scott France, board member and executive director of the Montgomery County Planning Commission, said Amtrak recently started providing bus service from Reading to Philadelphia, for an average of 24 passengers daily.

The authority selected gosrpra.com as its website name.