Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Council directs solicitor to add commuter-rail language to Westchester branch lease; tourist railroad supporters press for longer sublease
Summary
Westchester Borough committee agreed to ask the solicitor to draft lease language allowing commuter rail use on the SEPTA-owned Westchester branch and to explicitly protect the existing tourist railroad; volunteers and nonprofit operators urged a multiyear sublease so they can seek grant funding.
Westchester Borough’s Administration, Communication and Technology Committee voted to direct the borough solicitor to draft lease language that would permit additional passenger operators, including commuter rail service, on the SEPTA-owned Westchester branch while explicitly protecting the existing tourist railroad.
The committee discussion centered on proposed changes to the borough’s lease with SEPTA and a sublease to the volunteer-operated Westchester Railroad (doing business as 4 States Railway). Committee Chair Bridal Travis said the goal is to “allow the option to include commuter service” while preserving tourist-train operations. He asked the solicitor to prepare language for the work session so attorneys can revise the draft lease.
The issue prompted extended public comment from volunteers and nonprofit leaders…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
