Group to examine Chesco train serivce

CHESTER COUNTY

Group to examine train service

WEST CHESTER A West Chester ad-hoc committee will hold its first public hearing next Wednesday to gather the community's thoughts on restoring SEPTA train service to the borough.

The Committee to Reestablish Rail Service to West Chester, which formed in March, plans to use public comment to help develop a project proposal that meets the community's needs and can gain broad support. Residents of the greater West Chester area are invited to attend.

Michael Stoll, a member of the committee, said restoring train service would alleviate traffic due to residential growth and attract people to the downtown area.

Train service used to run between West Chester and Philadelphia. Declining ridership, deteriorating track conditions that slowed trains, and the extension of Media/Elwyn Line service that offered faster and more frequent service led to the suspension of passenger train service in 1986.

According to a 2011 study by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, restored train service would attract nearly 2,000 weekday riders.

The public hearing will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Room 240 of the borough hall, 401 E. Gay St.

- Michaelle Bond