OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KOKH) — The Heartland Flyer is facing a service suspension on or before October 1, because it will not have the funding it needs to continue operating.
The Heartland Flyer train service has been helping Oklahomans travel to the Dallas-Fort Worth area for more than 25 years. According to Amtrack, the Heartland Flyer served more than 80,000 customers in fiscal year 2024 and racked up $2.2 million in ticket revenue.
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the Texas Department of Transportation, together, support the Heartland Flyer.
Amtrak says since the $7.05 million that was requested by TDOT to fund Texas’ portion for the next two years was not approved by the Texas legislature, the Heartland Flyer faces imminent service suspension no later than October 1.
“Disappointing because we were obviously supportive of that but we can’t carry that whole boat ourself and so I don’t know exactly what will happen or when the funding runs out,” Governor Kevin Stitt said. “…TXDOT they requested that funding and the Texas legislature decided not to fund it and so we’ll see what we have to do on this side but we’re not gonna pick up Texas’ boat. We’re not gonna pick up their end of that.”
State Sen. Mark Mann (D-Oklahoma City) filed Senate Concurrent Resolution 10 during Oklahoma’s legislative session to urge the Texas legislature to continue funding its share.
Mann released a statement on Friday saying, “While it was disheartening to learn that the Texas legislature failed to fund their portion of the Heartland Flyer, I am not feeling defeated. There are still other options that can and need to be explored in order to secure the funding necessary to continue service. I am currently working with the Oklahoma City Chamber to identify a coalition of interested stakeholders to explore how we can secure funding and continue the Heartland Flyer train service.”
Amtrak says the Heartland Flyer generates $5.3 million in direct economic benefits and also supports jobs that are at risk.
Amtrak President Roger Harris saying in part, “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.”
Amtrak says, “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.”
