North Texas transportation council OKs funds for Amtrak Heartland Flyer

The North Central Texas Council of Government Regional Transportation Council (NGCOG) last week approved $3.5 million in regional toll revenue to be used to ensure another year of Amtrak Heartland Flyer rail service.

The NCGOG staff will seek reimbursement for the funding from the state of Texas, Texas Rail Advocates said in a July 9 press release. The council took action after the Texas State Legislature declined to approve the state's contribution to the intercity passenger-rail service, which is operated by Amtrak but funded by the Oklahoma and Texas departments of transportation. Without Texas state support, the service would have ended Oct. 1.

For more than than 25 years, the Heartland Flyer has transported riders between Dallas-Fort Worth and Oklahoma City along the Interstate 35 Corridor. Although the Texas DOT requested $7.05 million to keep the route running through 2027, the Texas Legislature chose not to fund the state's share of the train's operational costs beyond the current fiscal year.

Serving over 80,000 riders in fiscal-year 2024 and reaching $2.2 million in ticket revenue, the Heartland Flyer alleviates congestion on one of Texas’ busiest highways and supports workforce mobility and job access, according to Amtrak.

"It's a sad state of affairs when the Texas Department of Transportation asked for funds for this critical intercity surface transportation link between Fort Worth, Gainesville and Oklahoma City and state legislators turned TxDOT down," said Texas Rail Advocates President Peter LeCody.