Delaware’s political leaders are advocating for the preservation of an essential rail line that connects Newark to Philadelphia, which is currently under threat of elimination.
Wilmington City Councilman Coby Owens emphasized the significance of the daily train route that stops in Stanton, Wilmington, and Claymont, describing it as a “lifeline for thousands” of commuters.
As discussions unfold in Pennsylvania’s legislature regarding financial challenges facing the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), the future of this Delaware train line is at risk.
SEPTA has proposed cutting several bus and rail routes, including the Delaware line, if additional funding is not secured. If these plans proceed, the phase-out of the Delaware route may begin imminently, with a complete shutdown expected by January.
In a letter to SEPTA’s board sent in May, Delaware Governor Matt Meyer expressed concerns over the impact the loss of this service would have on commuters, students, and travelers who rely on the rail line to move between the two states.
“Cutting service that stops in Delaware would undercut the economies and values of both of our states,” Meyer cautioned, underscoring the importance of the line for work, education, and other travel needs.
Delaware’s two Republican senators, Minority Leader Gerald Hocker and Minority Whip Brian Pettyjohn, voiced similar concerns in a letter to their counterparts in Pennsylvania’s Senate, acknowledging SEPTA’s financial struggles yet highlighting that eliminating essential services could lead to greater decline.
Over the past decade, Delaware has invested $120 million to support rail service, including a recently completed $90 million project at the Claymont station, which is crucial for SEPTA train operations.
In 2024, Delaware planned to allocate $6.8 million for SEPTA’s rail service, supplemented by fare revenues of approximately $2.7 million, according to C.R. McLeod from the Delaware Department of Transportation.
Additionally, Delaware contributes about $5 million annually to Amtrak for the use of its tracks by SEPTA.
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, local officials assert that ridership levels are recovering. An average of 1,300 people board SEPTA trains daily in Delaware, with fiscal year 2025 reporting a total of 651,000 riders.
While this number remains significantly lower than the pre-COVID figure of 1.2 million riders in 2019, it has shown steady improvement since reaching a pandemic low of just 214,500 in 2021.
McLeod noted, “Obviously, COVID had a large impact on all public transit riderships, but we’ve been encouraged with the increases that we’ve seen.”
This recovery trend is particularly encouraging as more businesses invite employees back to the office, suggesting an ongoing demand for the rail service.
McLeod articulated the state’s reluctance to see the Delaware train line disappear, saying, “We’ve made those investments. We certainly don’t want to see the service go away.”
As the situation continues to evolve, Delaware officials remain in a state of anticipation, monitoring the developments in Harrisburg closely.
“We’re really in wait-and-see mode,” McLeod remarked, emphasizing that SEPTA leadership’s decisions are driven by financial considerations rather than a lack of appreciation for Delaware’s service needs.
The plea from Delaware’s leaders underscores the significant role this rail line plays in ensuring connectivity and supporting the economic well-being of both Delaware and Pennsylvania residents.
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