Berks, Chester, and Montgomery County Commissioners in Pennsylvania recently voted to create the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority, which will oversee and implement the restoration of passenger rail service between Reading and Philadelphia.
It will have the power to pursue funding opportunities and partner with rail operators and state and federal transportation agencies and formalize agreements.
In April, the three counties held individual public hearings to seek community feedback and approved resolution.
In addition, the commissioners approved the nine inaugural members of the authority. They include one commissioner from each county, Reading Mayor Eddie Moran, Phoenixville Mayor Peter Urscheler, and county officials.
The creation of the authority does not guarantee passenger rail service will return, but the commissioners are optimistic this effort will be successful.
The counties will provide equal funding, starting with a $100,000 investment. The commissioners will re-evaluate the authority in three years and decide whether it should be re-authorized.
The Tri-County Passenger Rail Committee, a nine-member group comprised of one county commissioner from each county and other local leaders, spent a year researching the most efficient way to restore passenger rail service.
The committee believes restoring service could generate more than $1 billion in new property development and property value increases.