Amtrak to suspend Heartland Flyer service by Oct. 1 if state of Texas does not secure funding for service

[marmar]

Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer service, which is operated in partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT), will have service suspended no later than Oct. 1 unless the state of Texas secures its share of funding.

“Reliable rail service provides a vital transportation option for residents and visitors alike, strengthening regional mobility, economic development and tourism,” said Amtrak President Roger Harris. “With service that supports Texas’ continued economic growth and the region’s connectivity, sustaining the Heartland Flyer is essential to maintaining momentum and ensuring long term mobility in the region.”

Serving over 80,000 customers in fiscal year 2024 and reaching $2.2 million in ticket revenue, Amtrak notes the Heartland Flyer, which has been in service for more than 25 years, alleviates congestion on one of Texas’ busiest highways by providing service between Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, and Oklahoma City, Okla., along the I-35 corridor. In Fort Worth alone, Amtrak says the $3.5 billion tourism economy benefits significantly from continued rail service. Amtrak is also investing over $63 million in ADA station improvements at 16 stations in Texas, further bolstering the state’s passenger rail network.

The Heartland Flyer links communities across Texas, Oklahoma and beyond, connecting to the Texas Eagle between Chicago, Fort Worth and San Antonio, with further connections on the Sunset Limited for travel between San Antonio, El Paso and Los Angeles. ...........(more)

https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/press-release/55295299/amtrak-amtrak-to-suspend-heartland-flyer-service-by-oct-1-if-state-of-texas-does-not-secure-funding-for-service

[Attilatheblond]

1. Past behavior indicates that GOP pols do not like people being able to move freely

Wonder how fast TX would restore funding for this rail service if they could figure out how to assure it was only used by males, and not women who might have reasons to leave the state.