A recent public hearing held on the initiative to restore passenger rail service from Reading to Philadelphia and establish the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority drew significant public interest, writes Rachel Ravina for The Pottstown Mercury.

More than 80 people joined the meeting that was hosted by the Montgomery County Commissioners and 18 participants voiced their opinion in person and virtually.

The proposed rail route features several stops including Norristown, Pottstown, Phoenixville, and Reading.

“As a lifetime resident of Montco, I would love to see rail service come back,” said Alexandria Sasek, a Limerick Township resident.

However not everybody was excited about the possibility, as some residents expressed their concerns regarding possible noise, the environment, and the project’s feasibility.

Still, according to Scott France, executive director of the Montgomery County Planning Commission, a majority of previously submitted comments were in favor of establishing the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority.

If approved by the commissioners, this nine-member government entity would involve participation from Berks, Chester, and Montgomery counties. Commissioners from all three counties are expected to vote on whether to authorize the authority’s formation before the end of April.

Read more about the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail meeting in The Pottstown Mercury.