PATCO finally has reopening date for long-shuttered Franklin Square Station

A historic Philadelphia train station shuttered for decades has gotten spruced up and is almost ready to welcome passengers again.

Late last week, PATCO released a highly-produced video showing off the sparkling upgrades made to the Franklin Square Station on the edge of Old City.

Then on March 19, 2025, the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) and PATCO announced an official date for reopening: April 3, 2025.

An official ribbon cutting will be held that Thursday at noon at the 7th and Race State Station on the corner of Franklin Square, PATCO said. Train service to the station will begin later Thursday afternoon.

“We are thrilled to celebrate the reopening of Franklin Square Station with the community,” PATCO general manager John Rink said.

The above ground portion of the station features lots of glass and even some places to sit. Underground restored classic green and white subway tiles -- dating back to the 1930s -- await as a train pulls into the station.

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“The revitalization of this station marks an exciting new chapter, offering enhanced transit access and convenience for both residents and visitors," Rink said.

The new Philly station features full ADA compliance with elevator, escalator and ramp access, PATCO said. It also had a green roof to manage stormwater runoff, bird-friendly glass and LED lighting.

PATCO's Franklin Square Station has sat as a so-called "ghost station" passed over by trains connecting Camden, New Jersey, and Philadelphia since its closure in 1979.

Originally, the station was set to reopen late last year, now it's on track for a spring 2025 reopening after three years of construction.

With the opening of the Franklin Square Station, PATCO will expand to 14 stations running from Lindenwold, New Jersey, to Center City Philadelphia. Around 5.6 million riders use PATCO annually, the transit agency says.