Business leaders are sounding the alarm over the potential elimination of the Paoli/Thorndale Regional Rail Line, which are part of SEPTA’s proposed service cuts, writes Kenny Cooper for the WHYY.
“The closure of this network and this particular line would have an absolutely devastating impact on the local economy but also the regional economy,” said Ken Kearns, president of the Wayne Business Association.
SEPTA’s cuts would include eliminating around 50 bus routes, increasing fares, and shutting down the service on five Regional Rail lines, including the Paoli/Thorndale line.
The Wayne Business Association includes around 250 small business members, many of whom rely on SEPTA access, which is “extremely important as an economic driver” for the community, said Kearns, owner of 118 North and The Refectory.
Kearns organizes an annual music festival in Wayne that would suffer without rail access. He also believes that any closure of the line would significantly reduce his home’s value.
He made a point to emphasize that the line is also used by local college students to get to class and helps workers to get to and from their jobs.
Read more about the proposed SEPTA cuts that would affect Chester County and the region in the WHYY.
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