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Rail restoration committee seeks state funds, outlines $50M capital+5‑year operating plan
Summary
The Rail Restoration Committee presented a quarterly update proposing a phased restoration of commuter shuttle service between Westchester and Wawa, outlined a draft $50 million capital plus five‑year operating budget and asked council for letters of support and coordination with neighboring jurisdictions and SEPTA.
The Rail Restoration Committee updated Westchester Borough Council on July 16 about plans to restore passenger shuttle service (the proposed Westchester Metro) linking downtown Westchester with the Wawa SEPTA station.
Jason Levin, the committee chair, presented station schematics, travel‑time comparisons, equipment options and a draft budget that pairs capital rehabilitation with five years of operating subsidy. The committee described a $50 million combined capital and five‑year operating request and said it had proposed a $25 million state line item in Fiscal Year 2026; the committee requested local letters of support and for the borough to place the project on Chester County’s transportation priorities list.
Levin said the largest capital costs are track rehabilitation (raising the line from a current FRA class 1 rating toward class 3), bridges and the Wawa platform/connection; other items include grade crossing upgrades, station platforms, parking and contingency. The committee estimated an operating subsidy of roughly $2 million per year for initial service years, noting ticket revenue would not cover all operating costs. Levin discussed equipment strategies that prioritize conventional locomotive‑coach sets (two locomotives and four coaches with a backup set) while leaving open the possibility of battery locomotives if federal approvals and operating economics make them viable.
Committee members and several councilors raised questions about ridership assumptions, commuter value proposition, transfer timing at Wawa and the project’s business plan. Levin acknowledged the committee is updating its operating plan and business model; he said a fully refreshed plan and a break‑out of the projected public subsidy schedule will be provided in subsequent quarterly reports. Councilors also asked the committee to secure updated letters of support from neighboring municipalities and to begin outreach with Wawa site owners and Delaware County stakeholders regarding platform/bridge design.
No final commitments of local funding were made at the meeting. The committee asked for vocal support, letters and assistance adding the project to county priority lists as it pursues state RCAP and other grant opportunities.
