PHL Receives Almost $1 Million for SEPTA Train Platform Improvements Project

PHILADELPHIA – Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) received two grants from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania totaling $924,900 for a platform improvements project at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s (SEPTA) Airport Regional Rail Line stops. PHL was awarded $500,000 from the Multimodal Transportation Program (awarded in March 2019) and $424,900 from PennDOT’s Aviation Transportation Assistance Program, Aviation Development Program, and the Multimodal Fund (awarded in August 2019) for rehabilitating platforms and canopies at PHL’s four stops on SEPTA’s Airport Line.

“Our Airport serves more than 32 million passengers annually,” said PHL CEO Rochelle “Chellie” Cameron. “With departures to and from Center City every 30 minutes, SEPTA’s Airport Line provides those visitors and airline crews flying in and out of PHL with a convenient travel option to Philadelphia and the surrounding region. The rail line’s connection to many other SEPTA services, makes the train a vital transportation necessity for many of the 21,000 airport employees.”

SEPTA’s Airport Line, which began service in 1985, provides 2.1 million annual trips to and from PHL. Trains access all PHL terminals, with platforms at Terminals A, B, C/D and E/F. The funding received from the Commonwealth will provide necessary structural and aesthetic upgrades to all locations without impacting service. Work is anticipated to begin in May 2020.

“SEPTA and Philadelphia’s Division of Aviation have a vested interest in supporting and, when necessary, collaborating on, multimodal projects that help move our shared passengers to points across the Delaware Valley,” said SEPTA General Manager Jeffrey D. Knueppel. “The proposed work at the Airport Line stops will create an enhanced transit gateway for residents and visitors traveling to and from PHL.”

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