Passenger rail authority selects leadership team
3 new members join board
The Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority finalized the leadership of its board for 2024 at a meeting Monday, Feb. 26.
Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties formed the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority in 2022 to establish the groundwork for the proposed plan to restore passenger rail service between Reading and Philadelphia.
The board elected a vice chairman, treasurer, vice treasurer, secretary and vice secretary. The position of chairman, currently held by Berks County Commissioner Christian Leinbach, was not up for election because it is a two-year term.
Chester County Commissioner Marian Moskowitz was reelected as vice chairman.
Phoenixville Mayor Peter Urscheler was selected to serve as the new treasurer, and Scott France, director of the Montgomery County Planning Commission, will continue to serve as secretary.
The nine-member board remains largely intact for 2024, however there are a couple new faces: Thomas DiBello, Montgomery County commissioner; Stephanie Henrick, Pottstown mayor; and David Hunter, director of the Berks County Planning Commission.
The following are the rest of the authority members:
• Leinbach
• Moskowitz
• France
• Urscheler
• Brian O’Leary, director of the Chester County Planning Commission
• Eddie Moran, Reading mayor
In December, the authority was admitted into the federal Corridor Identification and Development Program and officials said that will significantly increase the likelihood that service will be successfully implemented.
With its acceptance into the program, the authority will receive $500,000 to develop the scope and cost estimate for completing a service plan that will examine ridership and revenue forecasts, capital programming and provide an operational analysis.
The authority has hired AECOM, an international infrastructure consulting firm, to craft the service plan.
The authority meets on the fourth Monday of each month, except in situations when it interferes with holidays. The meetings are held virtually unless otherwise noted. Those interested in viewing the meetings can find a link at gosrpra.com.