Communities need to support return of rail

In the 38 years since service through the western suburbs ended, there has been talk about bringing it back.

Nevertheless, we’re pleased to see that local leaders are trying once again to make this dream a reality.

In November, the Berks Alliance and Greater Reading Chamber Alliance held a community forum to outline the first steps they plan to take toward restoring rail service.

It was encouraging to see that more than 100 people turned out for the event at Reading Area Community College. The crowd was so big that more chairs had to be brought in to accommodate all the people.

The issue has a significance that extends beyond Berks County.

The growing connection to greater Philadelphia is exemplified by Tower Health’s partnership with Drexel University to build a medical school in Wyomissing. Railroad tracks run right by the site. An official from Tower Health addressed the group and emphasized the importance of restoring rail service in helping his organization achieve its expansion goals.

The Berks Alliance and Greater Reading Chamber Alliance have funded a study by Transportation Economics and Management Systems Inc., or TEMS, a Maryland company that specializes in commuter rail projects.

Dr. Alex Metcalf, president of TEMS, said the company will work for three months to develop a study that makes clear exactly what restoring rail service will entail. It will be a comprehensive plan that, if the project moves forward, will serve as a blueprint for how to get it done.

Myers said he expects another forum will be held in the spring to review the report and see if there is reason to hope that this attempt to restore rail service will be more successful than those of the past.

The need for better transit options is felt throughout Philadelphia’s northwestern suburbs. It will take cooperation and support from communities all along the Route 422 corridor to accomplish this.

That’s why it was so important that the forum in Reading included members of a task force that has been working for about 18 months to restore rail service to Phoenixville. Mayor Peter Urscheler said the effort is intended to serve as a testing ground and model for other areas looking to reconnect to the regional rail system.

Manny DeMutis, a developer involved in the task force, offered valuable input as he explained what it is going to take to bring back passenger trains. It’s going to require strength, persistence and a refusal to take no for an answer.

It’s going to take producing strong data that prove there is sufficient demand to produce the ridership and income necessary for this to be feasible.

Most importantly, it’s going to require overcoming skepticism, particularly within the affected communities themselves. The most likely path to success is going to require a strong local investment. Depending on federal or state largesse is not going to work.

It’s noteworthy that the two prime sponsors of this latest effort represent leaders of the local business community.

They know communities that invest in rail service see their property values and attractiveness to developers increase.

They can see how the economic growth it produces could justify the considerable investment required.

They can help provide the necessary resources and persuade local government officials to do the same.

But the rest of us should not wait. Supporters of passenger rail need to start making these arguments now to their friends, relatives and neighbors.

It’s going to be an uphill climb, but with sufficient commitment, it is possible.