The fact that SEPTA does not provide any bus or Regional Rail service to Quakertown is, in my opinion, totally unacceptable.
However, with this petition (https://chng.it/xcVGt6dp2N), I hope to resolve that issue, and also resolve traffic congestion issues on Pennsylvania Route 309 as well as Interstate 476, better known as the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s Northeast Extension.
Traffic congestion on highways is an omnipresent problem throughout America, and it is high time we resolve it. My petition proposes a plan for SEPTA to restore train service to Quakertown by using multi-level push-pull railcars with restrooms on board hauled by ALP-45DP (dual-power) locomotives similar to those used by NJ Transit.
The tracks between Lansdale and Quakertown need restoration work, the stations along the right-of-way need to be made wheelchair accessible, and if catenary could be strung, then trains could be hauled by ACS-64 electric locomotives.
Believe it or not, the entire right-of-way of the former Reading Company’s Bethlehem Branch is still entirely owned by SEPTA. The portion between Quakertown and Bethlehem has been converted to a rail trail, however, the tracks between Lansdale and Quakertown are still in place and leased to a local freight railroad based out of Kennett Square known as the East Penn Railroad. But, as mentioned earlier, the entire ROW is owned by SEPTA.
Unfortunately, getting signatures on this petition is a constant struggle for me. I started it roughly four years ago, and I only have 79 signatures on it, but at this point, I should have at least 1,000 signatures. And yet somehow, I don’t. I welcome all of you to sign and share my petition.
Let’s take action today to bring commuter train service to Quakertown.
Dante Medori, Jenkintown
Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.
