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This Popular Amtrak Line Is on the Brink of Closure—What to Know
It may soon be the final call for a popular Southern train route.
Amtrak's Heartland Flyer train line, which operates daily between Fort Worth, Texas, and Oklahoma City may soon face closure. Behind the decision to end the train route is a looming $7 million budget shortfall in funding. The Texas Department of Transportation requested the $7.05 million from the state's legislative budget, but the request was not approved, according to Amtrak. The funding helps maintain the operations of the route, along with funds from Oklahoma and ticket sales. The train departs Oklahoma City at 8:25 a.m. and arrives in Fort Worth at 12:27 p.m. The four-hour, two-minute train ride is just one hour longer than if a traveler were to drive the same route. The train makes stops in Norman, Oklahoma; Gainesville, Texas; and several other towns.
'With service that supports Texas' continued economic growth and the region's connectivity, sustaining the Heartland Flyer is essential to maintaining momentum and ensuring long term mobility in the region," Amtrak President Roger Harris said in a statement.
Amtrak also points out that the service may be critical in 2026, when Dallas and Fort Worth host portions of the World Cup. The rail service says that the Heartland Flyer will provide access into the metropolitan area from surrounding communities and alleviate congestion.
'I used to work in downtown Fort Worth and we got so many customers coming in for day trips on the Flyer," one person shared in the Amtrak thread on Reddit about the service. 'Big economic hit for downtown hotels and restaurants." The Amtrak-operated service has several coach cars and amenities onboard include a cafe that serves a variety of hot breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack items. Passengers are also able to make reservations for small dogs or cats to join them on the train.
Travelers who have tickets on the service should check with Amtrak for any updates and monitor Amtrak's travel advisories for the latest news on the service. More than 80,000 people purchased tickets on the Heartland Flyer in 2024, and the service also connects the region to destinations from Chicago and Los Angeles.
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