Baltimore Belt Line pulled by horses along Pratt Street between the B&O's Camden Station and the PW&B's President Street Station. In 1884, the PW&B was purchased by the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR), a major rival of the B&O, and the PRR cut off the connection. The B&O then proceeded to build its Philadelphia Branch (formally known as the Baltimore and Philadelphia Railroad) to connect to the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad, in turn connecting with the Central Railroad of New Jersey for B&O's New York service. The combination also provided a connection to the Staten Island Railway, which served as the terminal switching company for
Reading, Pennsylvania four front-line Medic Ambulances. In 2016, fire units responded to 9,751 incidents. EMS responses totaled 19,058 calls for service. Department staffing is only two firefighters per apparatus. The Reading School District provides elementary and middle schools for the city's children. Numerous Catholic parochial schools are also available. Press reports have indicated that in 2012, about eight percent of Reading's residents have a college degree, compared to a national average of 28%. Four institutions of higher learning are located in Reading: Four high schools serve the city: Reading is known for the Reading Fightin Phils, minor league affiliate of the Philadelphia