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What's Happening
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The Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority (SRPRA) has taken the next big step toward restoring intercity passenger rail service between Reading and Philadelphia by submitting an application for the Federal Railroad Administration's Corridor Identification and Development Program. View Press Release
In the News
Track the coverage of our progress as we work to restore passenger rail. View News Articles
Doing Business with SRPRA
The proposals received in response to the SRPRA Request for Proposals (RFP) for a Social Media Consultant are currently under review. A selection is anticipated to be made sometime in May 2023.
SRPRA is considering one or more solicitations in the coming months for professional services including but not necessarily limited to planning, environmental documentation, design and engineering. As decisions are made regarding what types of services will be needed and the extent to which they are packaged together or procured separately, updates will be posted on the Authority website to provide interested parties advance notice of upcoming contracting opportunities.
Amtrak Bus Service
Amtrak launched Thruway Connection bus service between Reading and Philadelphia on June 6, 2022, as a precursor to restoration of passenger rail service in the Schuylkill River corridor. This service consists of two daily trips in each direction, and is one of many Amtrak Thruway Connection bus routes that Amtrak operates as an integrated part of its Northeast Corridor and National Network. In addition to the stations at Reading and Philadelphia, the bus serves intermediate stations at Pottstown and Phoenixville, and provides safe, comfortable, economical public transportation that connects communities in the Schuylkill River Valley with metropolitan areas in the Northeast Corridor and beyond.
Visit Amtrak's website for more information or to book travel.
Get Involved
The authority is currently developing opportunities to become involved and learn more. In the meantime, if you wish to share your thoughts about the authority please contact us at Info@GoSRPRA.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority (SRPRA) was created to serve as the regional coordinating body between Berks, Chester, and Montgomery Counties, with equal representation from each county. Membership of the SRPRA can be found here.
The SRPRA oversees and approves the execution of necessary contracts, the selection of the service operators, and seeks out federal funding to support the passenger rail service.
The proposed route for the new passenger rail service will be from Reading to Philadelphia, with stops in Pottstown, Phoenixville, King of Prussia, and Norristown.
Source: AMTRAK's Vision For Improving Transportation Across America
Amtrak has publicly expressed interest in operating this service and included this in its 2035 plan. However, the SRPRA will be empowered to select the operator.
The operating cost for the first two years of the Authority is estimated to be under $700,000, with the three counties equally splitting the costs. The SRPRA will also be required to focus efforts on sourcing state and federal funding FIRST, and required to use funds from any of the counties LAST.
In addition to the passenger fare, the federal infrastructure bill passed in 2021 changed how Amtrak passenger rail is funded, with the majority of the first six years of non-fare operating expenses being covered by the federal government.
The impacts on all communities that will be served by a Reading to Philadelphia train line are immense. Over 30 years, this line is estimated to create economic and environmental benefits including:
- $1.4 billion of income generation for residents;
- More than $1 billion in new property development;
- 28,000 additional person-years of work;
- Reduction in vehicle congestion with an estimated 1.5-1.8 million rail riders on the train and off the road.
Upcoming Meetings
Meetings are held virtually at 3:00pm on the following dates.
May 22, 2023
View Agenda
Register to join meeting via Zoom.
June 26, 2023
July 24, 2023
August 28, 2023
September 18, 2023
October 23, 2023
November 27, 2023
December 18, 2023