READING, Pa. — The recently created agency to revive passenger rail service between Reading and Philadelphia has selected a consultant for the project.
Patch.com reports the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority voted to employ Washington, D.C., based Transportation for America as consultant, subject to review of the contract by the authority’s solicitor. Transportation Economics & Management Systems also sought the job.
The authority, representing three counties along the route of the proposed service, was launched in April [see “Creation of agency to pursue Reading-Philadelphia passenger service is approved,” Trains News Wire, April 28, 2022]. The proposed service on the approximately 55-mile route would include intermediate stops in Norristown, Phoenixville, and Reading.
Amtrak has included the Philadelphia-Reading route on its “Connects US” wish list of proposed corridor services.
There was no bus service between Reading and Philadelphia until June 2022. Now there are two Ambusses each way with a stop at Pottstown. They serve the former site of Franklin St. Station in Reading, which was the station for Reading Transportation Co., the highway susidiary of Reading Co.
This station is 4.3 miles from RBMN’s Reading Outer Station.
How about we if anybody rides the Ambus.
Not sure the current City of Reading has a large enough base to support this extension.
Will be interesting to review the consultants report detailing the cost-benefit ratios related to density.