Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
RE-ESTABLISHING RAIL SERVICE
Lawmakers, county officials call for return of train line to West Chester
WEST CHESTER >> All Aboard!
Not too long ago borough residents were able to pick up a cup of coffee and newspaper, walk to the train station in town and catch a ride to Philadelphia for work or play.
SEPTA rail service on the Media-Elwyn Line, with service to 30th Street Station, was discontinued in 1986, partly due to a lack of ridership.
A March 2018 SEPTA West Chester Line Restoration Feasibility Study showed that the project would enhance local and regional connectivity, serve as a cost-effective commuter alternative, would increase transit ridership, support economic development and was considerate of environmental effects.
Mayor Jordan Norley has spearheaded the drive to reestablish rail service.
“West Chester is a historic, beautiful town, and a rail service would drive tourism and increase business,” Norley said. “Likewise, for those interested in traveling to Philly for business or pleasure, a quick hop onto the train would take you right to the most iconic and historic locations of our country’s founding.”
The Committee to Reestablish Rail Service to the Borough, an ad-hoc borough committee, has been working since 2014 to compile data and the funding necessary to return service to the Borough. The Committee, chaired by Jo Ann Kelton, has a goal to create a coexisting partnership with the West Chester Railroad Heritage Association so that the popular tourist train using existing tracks might continue to operate on weekends and holidays once passenger rail service has been restored.
With a price tag of $275 million, securing funding is the major roadblock to reestablishing service on the existing right-of-way. The project might take decades to become reality.
Grant applications are in the works.
With President Joe Biden’s proposed infrastructure plan allocating more than $2 trillion to a wide range of services across the country, over $160 billion could go to passenger rail nationally.
In the past, U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-6th of Easttown, has pushed forward Community Project Funding, for specific projects that create sustained job growth and/or economic opportunity.
The borough recently submitted an application to Houlahan’s office seeking aid in funding the return of rail service to West Chester.
Rail restoration proponents say that new train service would offer vast economic opportunity, address preservation of the environment by providing accessible public transportation, reduce individual passenger vehicle traffic congestion, reduce the need for expensive highway widening, and promote equity by offering accessibility of transportation between West Chester and Philadelphia.
The Borough also submitted an application to the Chester County Vision Partnership Program for funding an economic impact study of the proposed service to West Chester along the MediaElwyn line.
An announcement of the grant awards are anticipated next week.
Historically, studies show an increase in property values adjacent to rail service and backers project a 70 percent increase of new passengers. Preliminary estimates show that the full ride to 30th Street Station might take 50 minutes.
Stops to be added would be: Middletown (the Wawa station has been renamed); Cheyney, a site of increased economic activity at the university; Westtown, not far from Westtown School; Nields Street, formerly used by West Chester University students; and a terminus in West Chester Borough at Market Street. In time, additional stops along the Media-Elwyn line could be reopened.
Kelton noted that both WCU and Cheyney universities serve disadvantaged communities.
“Restoration of commuter rail services would provide ease of travel to and from satellite campuses in Philadelphia for faculty, staff, and students and for recreational travel as well,” Kelton said.
Business Improvement District Executive Director John O’Brien said train service would improve the quality of life of 20,000 borough residents and for 100,000 who live within a five mile radius of the borough.
“A chain is only as strong as its weakest link and as we strive for greater equality in West Chester; we recognize the need to improve the most important and basic need — access to transportation,” O’Brien said.
West Chester University President Chris Fiorentino supports establishing new rail service.
“Investing in public transit in Chester County will cut carbon pollution that contributes to climate change by reducing traffic congestion,” Fiorentino said. “It will also reduce the need of expensive highway expansion and provide an easier way to travel to and from Philadelphia for business and pleasure.”
State Rep. Dianne Herrin, D-156th of West Chester, agrees with Fiorentino and in a letter to Houlahan wrote that bringing back train service would combat climate change and reduce traffic congestion, while making it easier to travel to Philadelphia.
In a letter to Houlahan, state Sen. Carolyn Committa, D-19th of West Chester, wrote that reestablishing rail service would align with Chester County’s proposed Climate Action Plan.
Norley suggests that proponents of the plan to sign an online public petition showing support for re-establishing rail service in the borough at http://chng.it/kJvvYqDM.