Amtrak Heartland Flyer serves 1 million riders

Amtrak, Oklahoma and Texas officials marked a milestone last week when the 1 millionth passenger rode the Heartland Flyer route between the two states.

Rooke Jackson, a university student from Oklahoma City, was identified to represent the 1 million passengers who have ridden the route since it was launched in 1999, Amtrak officials said in a press release. The Heartland Flyer is jointly sponsored by the Oklahoma and Texas departments of transportation.

"We are pleased with the positive impact the Heartland Flyer has had in both the economy and the region, [and in] mobility and the associated environmental benefits," said Erik Steavens, the Texas Department of Transportation Rail Division's director.