Kansas Moves Forward with Plan to Restore Passenger Rail Service
Efforts to expand passenger rail service from Oklahoma City to Newton, Kansas, are gaining traction, with an estimated project cost of $573 million. The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) has committed to funding approximately a third of the expense, amounting to $175 million.
Expanding the Heartland Flyer Route
KDOT’s ambitious plan involves extending Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer route, which currently runs from Fort Worth, Texas, to Oklahoma City. The proposed expansion would add service from Oklahoma City to Newton, Kansas, with a key stop in Wichita. This would provide passengers with seamless connections to long-distance routes to Chicago and Los Angeles.
Funding and Support
The project has garnered strong backing from local leaders, federal lawmakers, and transportation advocates. However, it still requires approval from the Kansas state legislature to secure matching funds.
Cory Davis, KDOT’s Director of Multimodal Transportation and Innovation, expressed confidence in the project’s progress. “From the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) perspective, we are continuing through the process under the Corridor ID program. We have no concerns at this point but will monitor and adapt to any future changes,” Davis said.
The upcoming Trump administration’s policies could also influence the project, and KDOT is keeping a close eye on potential impacts.
Schedule and Ridership Expectations
If approved, the Heartland Flyer extension would operate daily, with the train continuing its tradition of departing Newton at 3 a.m. The estimated travel time to Oklahoma City is 3.5 hours, while the full route to Fort Worth would take approximately 7.5 hours.
Once the service launches, projected for 2029, KDOT expects ridership to start at more than 16,000 passengers annually.
A Step Forward for Regional Connectivity
This project represents a significant investment in Kansas’s transportation infrastructure and regional connectivity. The expanded rail service aims to provide residents with more travel options, reduce road congestion, and boost economic activity in the region. If successful, the Heartland Flyer extension will link Kansas communities to major cities in the Midwest and beyond, offering a convenient and eco-friendly mode of transportation for years to come.
