Reopening Of Long-Shuttered Station Along PATCO High Speed Line Would Cost $18 Million
By David Madden
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- There's been talk for years of reopening the PATCO high speed line station in Franklin Square, which has been closed since 1979. A new study ordered by the Delaware River Port Authority is now in hand, and being poured over by commissioners and staffers.
The idea's come up every few years, and with renewed activity in the park above the abandoned station, it was thought adding the stop could boost ridership.
"It would cost $18 million to reopen the station. The station would not, under existing conditions, probably generate a lot of new ridership but it would be a great service enhancement," said DRPA CEO John Hanson.
Hanson's not ready to commit to the project at this point, suggesting leadership at the agency needs to think about it more. By the way, even if this goes forward, it wouldn't be ready in time for the Pope's visit in September of the Democratic Convention next year.