READING, Pa. – For years, Amtrak’s Connection Bus Service has been an affordable way for travelers to get between Reading and Philadelphia. But come March 18th, that option will no longer exist.

The bus doors are closing for good, and passengers who depend on the route say they’re frustrated and uncertain about their next move.

“I was looking forward to using this bus to go home this semester, because my mom can’t bring me back and forth,” said Ashley, a Kutztown University student.

Ashley says the bus was her ride home, making it easier to travel between Reading, Pottstown and Philadelphia. Now, she’s left without a clear solution.

“I take it all the time to go home from the university, go to Philly, but it’s surprising. A lot of people use it—my friends, too,” she added.

Ashley isn’t the only one feeling the impact. Other passengers say the Reading-to-Philadelphia route was a critical transportation link in a city where public transit options are limited.

“Of course, it makes me upset. I mean, this is a way for us to get where we need to go. Reading isn’t as versatile as other cities like Philly or New York—it’s very hard to move around here,” one passenger explained.

Amtrak launched the bus service in 2022 with hopes that ridership revenue would cover operating costs. But after low demand, the company says it had no choice but to discontinue the route.

Reading Mayor Eddie Moran says while it’s unfortunate for current riders, it won’t impact efforts to bring passenger rail service back to the city.

“I won’t even dare say that I’m truly disappointed, because they assure me they’re still supporting the return of passenger rail,” Moran said. “This has nothing to do with the other—it’s different ridership from bus service to train service.”

But for now, riders like Ashley will have to find another way to get to Philadelphia.

“I don’t know… I’m gonna have to figure it out now. My mom is probably gonna have to take me back and forth, but it’s gonna be really hard because she has to work,” she said.

While the bus service is coming to an end, conversations about restoring passenger rail to Reading are still ongoing.