Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority takes next step
With federal funding stalled, the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority will use state grants to move forward the effort to restore rail service from Reading to Philadelphia. The project — which has brought together officials from Berks, Montgomery and Chester counties — began in 2022 with the formation of the authority. It aims to create passenger rail service with stops in Reading, Pottstown and Phoenixville. The effort has been included in the federal Corridor Identification and Development Program, which offers funding and other support. With its acceptance into the program, the authority received $500,000 to complete the first phase that included developing the scope and costs of a service plan that will examine ridership and revenue forecasts, capital programming and an operational analysis. Having completed the first phase in September 2024, the authority is now waiting for…