MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP, DELAWARE COUNTY— The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has completed construction of Wawa Station—the new terminus of the Media/Wawa Regional Rail Line. Wawa Station is the first extension of SEPTA’s rail service since 1985.
Wawa purchased the naming rights to the station in July for $5.4 million. The station, which is fully ADA accessible with a 600-space parking deck, will be named Wawa Station for the next 10 years. The building and tunnel feature artwork installations that show Wawa’s rich history of transporting milk from the dairy farm to the city via Wawa Station.
“We are proud to partner with our friends at SEPTA on the return of the line located just across from the same Wawa Dairy that has continued to bottle and distribute trusted quality products for more than 100 years and counting,” said Wawa President and CEO Chris Gheysens. “The new Wawa Station features elements that connect the rail and the surrounding area to our rich history, as well as some fun, brand elements that will greet commuters entering and exiting the station. We look forward to hosting a Community Day on August 22 to celebrate commuters and commemorate the first trains to once again depart from the Wawa station.”
SEPTA will run high-frequency service to and from Wawa Station, including early-morning inbound, late- night outbound, and express trips. Service at the station begins Sunday, August 21.
“Restoring service to Wawa has long been part of SEPTA’s service plans,” said SEPTA Board Chairman Pasquale T. Deon Sr. “We are grateful to Wawa for their partnership and for supporting our vision for service to this vibrant part of Delaware County.”
In restoring the track segment to service, SEPTA replaced 3.5 miles of trackbed and track, four rail bridges and the overhead catenary power system, plus performed slope stabilization and installed Positive Train Control.
“Wawa the area, Wawa the train station and Wawa the company have a linked history that goes back over 100 years,” said Chester Heights Borough Mayor Ginamarie Ellis. “Being here today is fitting in so many ways, and I know our SEPTA riding residents are very much looking forward to starting their commute close to home at Wawa Station.”
To celebrate the first weekday of service, the public is invited to Wawa Station for Community Day on Monday, August 22, which includes free Wawa coffee from 5:30 to 10 a.m. and free Wawa iced teas from 4 to 6:30 p.m., along with Wawa Station t-shirts to the first 100 commuters departing in the morning and returning in the afternoon.