The Senate Transportation Committee took a closer look at the performance of the Heartland Flyer, the passenger rail service between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth. Senator Frank Simpson made the request to study the issue.
“I have several concerns I wanted us to look at. Texas and Oklahoma used to each pay the same amount in state contributions—it was a 50/50 split. Now it’s closer to 60/40, with Oklahoma paying more, but Texas receiving more of the economic benefits,” Simpson said. “The daily schedule really favors Texas—it’s more convenient for riders traveling south than it is for those coming north. I’m also concerned that the contract only runs a year at a time. I think when we have cities in Oklahoma making major investments a longer term contract would be tremendously helpful.”
Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce President Roy Williams testified expansion of the service could lead to economic development opportunities in the future.
“It’s really a means of aligning and linking cities all the way from Chicago to almost Mexico,” Williams said. “Eventually we could have a Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, Oklahoma City, Fort Worth system here. When you think really long range, these are huge opportunities for our city.”
Initial research indicates if the Heartland Flyer were to be expanded north to Newton, Kansas, ridership would more than double.
Simpson is concerned about the year to year contract Oklahoma and Texas signs to keep the train going, considering the investment towns along the line are making to improve rail stations.
“Oklahoma City is investing close to $30 million. My small community of Ardmore is going to make an investment of almost $2 million. I want to make sure they have a sense of security in doing that. That would come with a long-term contract, five or ten years out,” Simpson said. “The long-term agreement question was not answered, but that’s something I’ve got to pursue with ODOT and probably with Texas.”
Additionally, the Chickasaw Nation is proposing a stop in Thackerville which could lead to more Texans spending money at the WinStar Casino and other Oklahoma destinations.
