Amtrak Heartland Flyer Faces Suspension Without Texas Funding

Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer, a key rail service connecting Oklahoma City and Fort Worth since 1999, faces suspension by October 1, 2025, unless Texas funds its portion of the operating costs. Texas has not approved the $3.5 million share requested to maintain the service, while Oklahoma has committed its funding. The train serves over 80,000 passengers annually, generating $2.2 million in ticket revenue and supporting $23.7 million in total economic activity, including tourism, workforce mobility, and congestion relief along the I-35 corridor. Local leaders, including Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker and Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, emphasize the train’s role in regional connectivity, economic growth, and its importance ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup events in Dallas-Fort Worth. Amtrak is collaborating with state and local partners to find solutions but warns that without funding, the suspension would halt plans to extend the route to Kansas and disrupt a critical transportation link in the region. The future of the Heartland Flyer remains uncertain pending Texas legislative action.