Amtrak officials are warning that the Heartland Flyer between Dallas-Fort Worth and Oklahoma City faces “imminent service suspension” by Oct. 1 unless Texas coughs up funding.
The Heartland Flyer, which has operated for more than 25 years, is operated in partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.
“Reliable rail service provides a vital transportation option for residents and visitors alike, strengthening regional mobility, economic development, and tourism,” Amtrak President Roger Harris said in a release. “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 FY24 and reaching $2.2 million in ticket revenue, the Heartland Flyer alleviates congestion on one of Texas’ busiest highways. Officials said the train supports workforce mobility and job access, enabling Texas’ $97.5 billion travel industry.
In Fort Worth, 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.
TxDOT requested more than $7 million this year to support the Heartland Flyer for two years, which was not approved in the legislative budget cycle. Amtrak will continue to work closely with state and local partners to address the funding challenge and will provide a specific suspension date at a later time.
