Oklahomans Could Lose The Famous Train Ride Between OKC & Fort Worth, Texas

Oklahoma's iconic passenger train, the Heartland Flyer, that has been running since 1999 between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, Texas could be riding the tracks for the last time soon.

According to KFOR News, Oklahomans are actually depending on Texans to save the Heartland Flyer from completely shutting down. Since the train is funded by both the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), it takes both sides to keep the program going.

Although Oklahoma has "banked in" the budget for the Heartland Flyer, Texas legislature has to specifically budget for the train each year that it's time to re-up. And, as of now, they have not designated any funds to keeping it running. There is time, however, for them to change their minds and dedicate the necessary funds.

Although Texas officials are the ones needing to make the decision, Oklahomans who don't want to lose the Heartland Flyer are encouraged to reach out to them with their concerns.

Oklahomans could be gaining more traffic on the roads, but is that a good thing?

Losing something so iconic to both states would not only have an emotional effect on both states, but it could also affect the roads between Oklahoma and Texas. The Heartland Flyer is regularly used for around 80,000 passengers. If the train is defunded and discontinued, then that will put at least 50,000 more cars on the roads, clustering an already overwhelmed traffic system.

Big plans for the Heartland Flyer if funds are dedicated back to it from TxDOT.

If Texas legislature can fund the train once more, there are bigger plans in store for the Heartland Flyer. According to the Amtrak Expansion Fact Sheet, plans had already been made to extend the track to Wichita, Kansas and connect the three states together. The train's passenger count has already been increasing steadily since COVID between OKC and Fort Worth alone; imagine just how successful it will be with three stops.