U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello discusses the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act, joined by County Commissioners Michelle Kichline and Kathi Cozzone and State Rep. Harry Lewis Jr. (R-74) Tuesday.
DOWNINGTOWN — Yesterday, U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello (R-6) joined with elected officials and transportation leaders at the Downingtown Train Station to discuss the importance of the bipartisan Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act (PRRIA), which passed the House of Representatives last week.
Costello was joined by in the discussion of the legislation, which potentially could impact transit in Chester County, State Representative Harry Lewis (R-74), County Commissioner Michelle Kichline County Commissioner Kathi Cozzone, Executive Director of the Transportation Management Association of Chester County Tim Phelps, Chester County Economic Development Councilmember Mike Grigalonis and Downingtown Main Street Association Representative Steve Plaugher.
“Here in Southeastern Pennsylvania, passenger rail lines and the train stations that serve these lines are critical to moving workers and sustaining communities,” said Congressman Ryan Costello. “People got on and off trains more than 310,000 times at the three Chester County Amtrak stations in my district — Paoli, Exton and here at Downingtown — in 2014 alone. Amtrak’s Northeast and Keystone lines are a critical thread in the fabric of our region. That’s why I was proud to support the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act.”
Costello, who took office in January, said it was important for Amtrak revenues to be used to reinvest in projects in the northeast corridor it serves.
“This bipartisan bill compels Amtrak, the Federal Railroad Administration, and states to work together to develop and implement a five-year Northeast Corridor capital investment plan,” he said. “For residents of the Sixth District it also makes available more federal funding for new train stations to replace aging train stations.”
Costello said he thought the legislation was a common-sense, bipartisan way to address the transit issues in the northeast corridor.
“I voted for PRRIA because it is a smart and reasoned approach to strengthening our passenger rail networks. It’s an approach that allows transportation systems in Southeastern Pennsylvania to grow, and ensures that each dollar spent by my constituents on the Northeast Corridor stays and is reinvested in our local infrastructure,” he said.
