10-05-2025
Heartland Flyer could shutdown, axing expansion to Kansas
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The Heartland Flyer Passenger Train could see its final ride next month, unless Texas lawmakers pony up their portion of the cost.
That would squash hopes of it ever extending to Wichita.
KSN's Derek Lytle spoke to the president of Passenger Rail Kansas and a Sedgwick County commissioner about why the train could be closed for good.
The President of Passenger Rail Kansas and Oklahoma, Evan Stair, said that a decade ago, Amtrak officials warned that if the Heartland Flyer didn't expand to Kansas, it would eventually be shut down.
He believes we may be at that point. Stair said Texas legislators are attempting to show taxpayers in their state that they are fiscally efficient, but he believes that decision will backfire and hurt Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.
The Texas legislature, leaving their four million to fund the Heartland Flyer out of the budget, with less than a month to choose whether to fund it.
'Kansas seems to be the good cop, Oklahoma seems to be quiet, and Texas seems to be the bad cop,' said Stair.
The Federal Rail Administration awarded Kansas 500 thousand in late 2023, toward expansion, which was expected to come by 2029.
Stair said this lack of Texas funding could pump the brakes on that project ever happening.
It would also take away the 5-1 return on investment the train already provided to Texas and Oklahoma.
'Losing an optional, safe transportation resource will cause the commercial impact the train has each year, on Oklahoma, North Texas, and the potential economic impact it could've had on Kansas,' said Stair.
Something that makes Sedgwick County Commissioner Pete Meitzner, who's backed the expansion for years, nervous.
'Can't sugarcoat it. 'It's an extension. 'If there's nothing to extend to, it will die its own death,' said Meitzner.
He said this is the first time funding has been questioned and believes it won't prevent Kansas from moving forward with its part of the plan.
'We're not slowing down, we're not stopping anything, KDOT is working closely with FRA, the Federal Rail Administration,' said Meitzner.
Uncertainty if the Heartland Flyer will ever go from Texas to Wichita, into Kansas City.
Stair, with Passenger Rail Kansas, said there's more to worry about down the line.
Another, the Kansas route, could soon be in jeopardy. The Southwest Chief could face problems because it is federally funded, and he believes that funding could be in question in the 2026 congressional budget.
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