PATCO reopening Franklin Square Philadelphia station after 46 years out of service
PATCO's Franklin Square Station in Philadelphia, known by many as the "Ghost Station," reopened Thursday after a $29 million renovation.
For the first time in 46 years, a train pulled away from the station Thursday afternoon, which was a moment met with fanfare and celebration at the newly renovated station near 7th and Race streets.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said it is a critical link for families and commuters in the city, Camden and South Jersey suburbs.
"The revitalization of the Franklin Square Station, what it does is reinforces our commitment to reinsuring that these two great cities remain connected, thriving and are ready for the future," Parker said.
The station was originally built in 1936, but closed in 1939, with brief reopening stints in the 1950s and again in 1976 for the nation's bicentennial. It later closed in 1979 because of low ridership.
Now, ahead of the 250th Anniversary of America next year, the former ghost station is rising from the dead.
The $30-million project added modern renovations and ADA-compliant features to the station, which include elevators and ramps, and there's also an escalator to take you down to the platform.
Some classic details still remain, including the 1930s green and white subway tiles. They were coated in decades worth of grime, but they've been restored and add some charm from the original station.
As surrounding neighborhoods see significant growth, PATCO general manager John Rink says the station will provide riders with more options and cut down their commute.
"We're providing a new connection here today, a connection to all the neighborhoods around the station itself, the park itself. Since this was last open in 1979, there was not much around here back then. Now you have the Constitution Center, the Independence Visitors Center, two blocks from Chinatown, and all the residences. So we're here to connect those neighborhoods to the people that ride our train," Rink said.
"Having the station be right here with the bus stop right there and an inside place to wait is just going to be amazing," said Rose Cohen.
Franklin Square will be the new first stop in Philadelphia for travelers coming across the Delaware River from Camden, New Jersey. Before that, riders had to get off at 8th and Market streets.
