Amtrak is planning to establish an express bus service between Reading and Philadelphia that would have Pottstown as the only stop between the two cities, writes Evan Brandt for The Pottstown Mercury.

The company has been exploring the possibility of re-establishing passenger rail between Philadelphia and Reading and has received a sizable portion of the infrastructure bill that would make this possible. But until the plans become more concrete, Amtrak wants to create an in-between solution.

The Express Bus Service news was announced during the Pottstown Borough Council meeting last week.

“Amtrak is starting a planning process with local and state officials, including PennDOT, to study the possibilities of bringing Amtrak passenger trains to Reading, Phoenixville, and Pottstown,” said Jason Abrams, Amtrak’s public relations manager. “In the interim, Amtrak is working to establish a premium ‘Thruway’ bus service connecting Reading and Pottstown to Philadelphia, with train connections throughout the country.”

The company is still looking for a partner bus company to establish the line and is already working with host communities to set up the bus stops.

Bus ridership will not determine if the train service will be reestablished, said Abrams.

Read more about Amtrak’s Express Bus Service in The Pottstown Mercury.