Passenger rail service on the Oklahoma-Texas route may be suspended by June if Texas lawmakers fail to secure the necessary funding for operations. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Passenger rail service on the Oklahoma-Texas route may be suspended by June if Texas lawmakers fail to secure the necessary funding for operations
The Heartland Flyer pulls into the Norman Station, Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. (Photo by Kyle Phillips/For Oklahoma Voice)

The Heartland Flyer, which connects Oklahoma City to Fort Worth, relies on joint support from both states. Oklahoma has pledged $4.5 million for 2025, but Texas has yet to confirm its share.

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Tim Gatz, director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, expressed concern. He said discussions in Texas are ongoing, and Oklahoma continues to monitor the situation carefully.

Despite previous funding delays, Texas has historically come through. Gatz remains cautiously optimistic but acknowledged the growing urgency as deadlines approach.

Oklahoma-Texas Service Vital for Connectivity and Growth

The Oklahoma-Texas train service offers a crucial link between growing urban centers, providing alternatives to driving or flying for residents of Oklahoma City and surrounding towns.

The route covers 206 miles and stops in Norman, Purcell, Pauls Valley, Ardmore, Gainesville, and Fort Worth. Last year, ridership totaled 81,918 passengers.

A weekend round trip between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth typically costs around $64. The service remains a cost-effective option for regional travel.

Loss of Oklahoma-Texas Route Could Halt Expansion Plans

Ending the Oklahoma-Texas rail connection would undermine efforts to expand northward to Kansas. This future link would integrate with national rail lines through Newton.

Gatz emphasized that without the southern leg into Fort Worth, the entire vision for regional rail development would collapse. Years of planning would be rendered obsolete.

The Heartland Flyer, restored in 1999 after a 20-year gap, remains essential to the region’s long-term transit goals. However, its fate now rests with decisions in the Texas legislature.

As Oklahoma stands ready to fund its share, regional stakeholders await Texas’s commitment to preserve this critical transportation corridor.

Source: oklahomavoice.com

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