Reactivation of Newtown-Fox Chase Commuter Rail Service

To:  PA State Legislature, PennDOT, Montgomery and Bucks County, SEPTA

Whereas:
• It is established that the population along the Newtown-Fox Chase corridor has risen 20% since 1990.
• Population in Newtown Township has increased 230% in since 1980 and 30% since 2000.
• Demand for commuter rail within the Newtown corridor ridership shed has increased 400% on the West Trenton line and 300% on the Warminster line since 1990.
• Parking facilities at substitute stations for Newtown line passengers are filled close to 100%
• Existing parking facilities on R2/R3 line stations lack real estate for significant expansion
• The rise in gasoline prices in 2007 indicated that our current rail system does not have the capacity to meet ridership demand
• Restoration of Newtown-Fox Chase rail service is essential to meet continued growth in Bucks and Montgomery Counties
• Reactivation of Newtown rail service benefits three counties: Philadelphia, Montgomery and Bucks. Philadelphians will benefit from a new reverse-commute corridor. Montgomery County commuters will benefit with the reopening of Huntingdon Valley Station and a proposed Bethayers Transportation Center, and reduced congestion on the R2/R3 lines. Bucks commuters benefit by having improved and closer access to commuter rail.
• Reactivating Newtown rail service will reduce road congestion on routes PA 232, PA 132, PA63 and I-95, and local roads in Newtown Township and Northampton Township
• Newtown Rail service will reduce air pollution
• Restoring commuter rail on the R8 Newtown line is a long term investment in our townships, communities and local infrastructure which makes these communities sustainable.
• Past studies on the re-opening the Newtown line has shown that significant amounts of riders would use the service, thereby making it a feasible corridor.
• Upper Southampton, Newtown Township and Newtown Borough all have passed resolutions calling for reactivation of commuter rail service
• Legislators from Montgomery county support Newtown rail service because it benefits their constituents
• Reopening the Newtown Branch helps our region contribute to the national security of our county by reducing our local demand in oil consumption.
• Reopening the Newtown branch would reduce the number of vehicle trip miles used by commuters currently accessing alternate rail stations
• Reactivating the Newtown line saves energy, increases efficiency, and creates additional parking at stations on the Warminster and West Trenton lines without constructing new facilities
We the undersigned urge all of you to act as quickly as possible to restore regular, frequent and convenient rail service on the Newtown-Fox Chase segment of the R8 Newtown Branch.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Reactivation of Newtown-Fox Chase Commuter Rail Service Petition to PA State Legislature, PennDOT, Montgomery and Bucks County, SEPTA was created by Citizens for R8 newtown service and written by Jon Frey (jfrey40535@gmail.com).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.