Oklahoma DOT issues RFQ for Heartland Flyer

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) last week issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) for passenger-rail service providers interested in running the Heartland Flyer route between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, Texas.

The ODOT and Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) currently contract with Amtrak to provide intercity passenger-rail service on the route. The daily service departs Oklahoma City at 8:25 a.m. and arrives at Fort Worth mid-day.

In Fort Worth, the Heartland Flyer provides a connection to the Amtrak Texas Eagle route. The Flyer has been running the route since June 1999. TxDOT became a co-sponsor of the service in 2006.

The two departments are seeking responses from entities that provide services such as train crews, rolling stock, train maintenance, on-board food and beverage, ticketing, and support personnel for passenger trains that could provide service for the Heartland Flyer, according to the RFQ.

Issuance of the RFQ doesn't necessarily mean the departments will proceed with a request for proposals, however.

The RFQ responses are due at noon June 22.