Heartland Flyer receives emergency funding to continue service

The Heartland Flyer will continue operating for another year thanks to a $3.5 million vote by the North Central Texas Council of Governments. The emergency funding prevents a shutdown of the daily Amtrak route between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth that had been scheduled to end Sept. 30. 

The future of the service had been in question after the Texas Legislature failed to approve its share of a two-year, $7 million funding match. Oklahoma committed its portion earlier this year. The Flyer, operated by Amtrak under a joint agreement between the two states, is Oklahoma’s only passenger rail line. 

The loss of service would have meant more than the end of daily trains. Without an active corridor, Oklahoma would have risked losing future federal funding for a proposed extension to Newton, Kansas, connecting the route to the national rail network. The state could also have been required to reimburse the federal government for funds already spent on the project. 

The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, along with other regional partners, has supported continued operations and will focus on securing long-term funding. 

Sens. Mark Mann, D-OKC, and Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, praised the decision. The two co-authored a resolution during the 2025 Legislative Session urging Texas to continue funding its share of the train’s operation. 

“Ending the Heartland Flyer would have been a tremendous loss for both states, especially as we’re on the verge of expanding that service in Oklahoma to Kansas and beyond,” Mann said. “That’s why I’ve continued to work with advocates in Texas in both the private sector and in government to find a way to keep the Heartland Flyer running. This vote will keep this important transportation service going.” 

Coleman also highlighted the train’s impact on Oklahoma’s travel and tourism sector, which ranks among the state’s leading industries. 

“I’m pleased the North Central Texas Council of Governments Regional Transportation Council found a solution to keep the Heartland Flyer running between Fort Worth and Oklahoma,” Coleman said. “Tourism is Oklahoma’s third-largest industry and a major economic driver for communities across the state. This Amtrak route gives Oklahomans more flexibility when planning their travel and offers Texans a convenient way to see what they’ve been missing just across the border.” 

Derek Sparks, director of government relations for the Chamber, said the Chamber supports the funding measure and will continue advocating for stable passenger rail access. 

“The Chamber applauds the actions taken by North Texas communities to advance a positive funding solution that would allow passenger rail service between Oklahoma City and Ft. Worth to remain operational beyond September,” Sparks said. “We appreciate Senator Mann, Senator Coleman, Representative Miller and ODOT’s leadership and partnership with the business community on efforts to protect this important transportation asset utilized by Oklahomans from Downtown OKC to the Red River.”  

The North Central Texas Council of Governments agenda described the item as an emergency action. According to staff, the service supports 80,000 annual trips and will be vital for transportation during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The council plans to pursue reimbursement from the state of Texas and launch a ridership campaign to reduce the need for future subsidies.