The push to re-establish rail service in West Chester has been intensifying, with Mayor Jordan Norley spearheading the effort, writes Bill Rettew for the Daily Local News.

SEPTA rail service on the Media-Elwyn Line that stopped at 30th Street Station was discontinued in 1986. One of the reasons was a lack of ridership.

However, a SEPTA West Chester Line Restoration Feasibility Study conducted in 2018 showed that the return of rail service would enhance local and regional connectivity while also being a cost-effective commuter alternative.

“West Chester is a historic, beautiful town, and a rail service would drive tourism and increase business,” said Norley.

The Committee to Re-Establish Rail Service to the Borough has been working on collecting data and securing the necessary resources for the rail line over the last seven years. A major roadblock to establishing service on the existing right-of-way is its price tag of $275 million.

Currently, grant applications are in the works, and the borough recently submitted an application to the office of U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan seeking aid for funding the return of rail service to West Chester.

Read more about the push for West Chester rail service in the Daily Local News.