Schuylkill River Passenger Train Funding Decision Delayed

PHOENIXVILLE, PA —The Federal Railroad Administration delayed a decision regarding an application from the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority for funding to restore passenger rail service in the Reading to Philadelphia corridor for at least two months, officials said.

Scott France, chair of the authority's planning committee, said Monday during a meeting that there is no definite time frame for the decision, noting November is the earliest decision date.

“This is not a shock and not a surprise,” he said.

The federal government originally promised a decision in September.

France said that he was notified that the federal government received 90 applications for the corridor program, which focuses on the northeast United States.

He also said there will be future rounds of funding for transportation projects after 2024. The authority application for the corridor project was submitted on March 20.

“We hope we get accepted in the first round,” France said.

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

In the meantime, the authority already has a $750,000 federal grant that can be used for the development of the project.

Christian Y. Leinbach, authority chairman, suggested the authority begin using some of the $750,000 to work on a service plan.

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