Heartland Flyer Faces Imminent Suspension Without Funding

While Amtrak operates the service, states are legally required to fund costs
(see Section 209 below)

WASHINGTON – For more than 25 years, the Heartland Flyer has been a vital link between Dallas-Fort Worth and Oklahoma City along the I-35 corridor. Operated in partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT), the Heartland Flyer faces imminent service suspension no later than Oct. 1 unless Texas secures its share of funding.

“Reliable rail service provides a vital transportation option for residents and visitors alike, strengthening regional mobility, economic development, and tourism,” said Amtrak President Roger Harris. “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.”

Serving over 80,000 customers in FY24 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 – key pillars of Texas’ $97.5 billion travel industry. In Fort Worth alone, the $3.5 billion tourism economy benefits significantly from continued rail service. Amtrak is also investing over $63 million in ADA station improvements at 16 stations in Texas, further bolstering the state’s passenger rail network.

• Vital Connection: The Heartland Flyer links communities across Texas, Oklahoma, and beyond, connecting to the Texas Eagle between Chicago, Fort Worth, and San Antonio, with further connections on the Sunset Limited for travel between San Antonio, El Paso, and Los Angeles. Ending this service would sever a well-established transportation network.
• Vision for the Future: Its potential reaches even further with ongoing efforts by the Kansas Department of Transportation, ODOT, and the Northern Flyer Alliance to extend the Heartland Flyer north to Newton, Kansas – creating a seamless link to the Southwest Chief between Chicago and Los Angeles.
• Economic Impact: The Heartland Flyer generates $5.3 million in direct economic benefits and an estimated $23.7 million in overall economic activity. The service also supports jobs that are at risk if funding is not restored.
• World Cup Readiness: With the Dallas-Fort Worth region set to host more 2026 World Cup matches than any other U.S. city, maintaining Heartland Flyer service will be vital for transporting fans and visitors from Oklahoma and beyond. Ending this service would weaken regional connectivity and hinder Texas’ ability to deliver a world-class experience.

TxDOT requested $7.05 million this year to support the Heartland Flyer for two years which was not approved in the legislative budget cycle. 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.

About Section 209:

State Supported trains are those operating on short corridor routes (≤ 750 miles), mostly over host freight railroad tracks, connecting communities within one or multiple regions. Amtrak operates these routes per contracts with sponsoring partners (typically state agencies).

As a State Supported route, the Heartland Flyer is operated in partnership with TxDOT and ODOT. Outside the Boston-to-Washington Northeast Corridor (NEC), Section 209 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (PRIIA) requires that short- and middle-distance Amtrak routes (i.e., those 750 miles or less in length) be State Supported; in other words, sponsoring partners fund the majority of those routes’ costs and make decisions about schedule, frequency, and other aspects of service.

Amtrak operates 30 State Supported routes in partnership with 21 agencies representing 18 states. Federal law (“Sec. 209”) requires the use of a standardized methodology, maintained by the State-Amtrak Intercity Passenger Rail Committee (SAIPRC), to fairly allocate route costs between Amtrak and these partners.

Supporting Quotes:

Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker:
“The Heartland Flyer is key to ensuring Fort Worth’s continued success as a global destination and is central to the city’s tourism industry, business community, and thriving economy. Fort Worth is the busiest Amtrak station in Texas – generating millions in economic impact annually – and as people continue to move to our region, travel reliability, mobility choices, and connectivity will be key to our competitiveness.”

Gainesville Mayor Tommy Moore:
“This is more than just trains and tracks. The Heartland Flyer supports nearly $20 million in annual economic activity and almost 30 full-time jobs. It provides a vital transportation option for Texans and Oklahomans alike – and losing it will be a major setback for mobility, our environment, and our economy. By working together, I believe we can find a solution that keeps the Heartland Flyer on track. I’ll keep the public informed every step of the way, and I’ll keep fighting to make sure this critical service stays in place for years to come.”

Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt:
“Oklahoma City has long been committed to a comprehensive, connected transportation system, and we have benefited from the Heartland Flyer’s contribution to that vision. We recognize that Texas benefits greatly from the visits of our residents via the Flyer, and we also deeply appreciate the amenity and the connection to the entire Amtrak system. The Heartland Flyer is a vital link that supports economic opportunity throughout our region.”