Amtrak Advances Reading–Philadelphia Rail Restoration

USA: Amtrak and SRPRA have formalized their partnership to advance the proposed restoration of passenger rail linking Reading, Pottstown and Phoenixville with Philadelphia and the Northeast Corridor.

Amtrak takes responsibility for forecasts and cost estimates

Under the memorandum of understanding announced on July 15, the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority confirmed its intention for Amtrak to operate the proposed service.

Amtrak has committed to prepare ridership and revenue forecasts as well as operating and maintenance cost estimates during the second step of the federal corridor-development program. The operator began that work in April 2026 and will complete the tasks at no cost to SRPRA.

The agreement also records Amtrak’s willingness to support later development work under terms that have yet to be negotiated. That work could include environmental documentation and final design.

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Initial plan calls for four to six daily round trips

SRPRA’s phased plan for the corridor calls for four to six daily round trips between Reading and Philadelphia at launch, with approximately eight or more as ridership grows. Amtrak Thruway bus connections would complement the rail service.

The first phase would serve Reading, Pottstown and Phoenixville. A later phase envisions a one-seat ride through Philadelphia to New York, but SRPRA says that option depends on completion of Gateway Program projects around 2035 and delivery of new Amtrak rolling stock.

The Federal Railroad Administration selected the Reading–Philadelphia–New York corridor for its Corridor Identification and Development Program in December 2023. Federal records show that $500,000 was obligated for the first planning step on March 18, 2024.

The project remains in the planning stage

Passenger service between Reading and Philadelphia ended in 1981 when SEPTA stopped operating on non-electrified lines. SRPRA reports that the FRA accepted all first-step deliverables in August 2025, while preliminary work on the second step began in January 2026.

Once the project formally enters the second step, planned tasks include computer-based operating simulations with Norfolk Southern, identification of required infrastructure improvements, capital cost estimates and expanded public outreach. SRPRA targets 2027 or 2028 for the initial service development plan.

The MOU does not authorize construction or establish a service opening date. It defines responsibilities for the analysis needed to determine whether the proposed operation is technically and financially viable.

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