Train From Philadelphia To Reading Is On Track

READING, PA – Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority submitted a letter of intent to the Federal Railroad Administration to restore passenger rail from Reading to Philadelphia, officials said Tuesday.

This initial step indicates the authority’s intent to advance passenger rail to Reading as part of Amtrak’s New York-Philadelphia-Reading corridor and the Federal Railroad Administration Corridor Identification and Development Program.

The authority is a newly created board of representatives from three counties overseeing a project to restore passenger train service from Reading to Philadelphia with connections to New York and Washington D.C.

The preliminary plan calls for stops along the Schuylkill River in Norristown, Phoenixville, Pottstown and Reading.

“The creation of a new authority, with initial operating funds of $100,000 per county, demonstrates the commitment and public support for the restoration of this passenger rail service,” Christain Leinbach, authority chairman, said.

Leinbach said the authority is hopeful that the Federal Railroad Administration will notify the authority to proceed with a formal proposal.

The administration is expected to notify the authority in May 2023.

The Corridor ID Program is funded by President Biden’s Infrastructure and Jobs Act.

Amtrak’s vision for the corridor is to increase mobility for Reading and Philadelphia residents to and from the broader northeast region with daily multi-frequency service.

Amtrak specifically cites corridor growth, environment and transportation equity, and connections to higher education as reasons to restore passenger rail to Reading.

More information is available at www.srpra.net.