Northern Flyer Alliance in Action

Track to the Future

April 2010 A Red Letter Day for Kansas and the region!

In looking back on our long history of advocating for passenger rail expansion, we thought it was a big day for expanding the Heartland Flyer north to Newton, Kansas.  Little did we know that one day the removal of restrictions on KDOT to support trains would help save the Southwest Chief.

Written by Deborah Fischer Stout

10 June 2024

Legislative Developments

The 2024 Kansas legislative session has seen significant progress in supporting passenger rail services, particularly through Senate Bill No. 349 and Senate Bill No. 514.

•        Senate Bill No. 349: This bill focuses on the operational support for the Heartland Flyer

         Extension, which aims to enhance passenger rail service between Kansas City, Oklahoma

         City, and Fort Worth. The bill includes provisions for funding and operational guidelines

         to ensure the extension's success     

•        Senate Bill No. 514: This comprehensive bill includes substantial appropriations for

         transportation, with a notable focus on passenger rail. The bill allocates $41 million for

         various transportation initiatives, including $5 million in operational support for the

         passenger rail network. This funding is crucial for maintaining and expanding rail

         services, which have a significant economic impact on the region..     

Heartland Flyer Extension and Economic Impact

The Heartland Flyer Extension project continues to gain momentum with strong legislative and community support. The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) have been actively collaborating on this project. Recent studies, such as the one conducted by Cambridge Systematics, highlight the economic benefits of passenger rail services. For instance, the Missouri River Runner generates substantial tax revenue, demonstrating the potential economic benefits for Kansas with the Heartland Flyer Extension.

Rail Caucus and Community Engagement

The Kansas Rail Caucus has expanded to 68 members, reflecting growing bipartisan support for passenger rail initiatives. This caucus plays a pivotal role in advocating for the Heartland Flyer Extension and educating other legislators about its benefits. In March, a panel led by Kansas Senator Carolyn McGinn discussed the economic and community advantages of improved rail services, emphasizing the importance of continued planning and eventual construction.

Future Outlook

Looking ahead, the Kansas legislative session is expected to continue focusing on enhancing the state’s transportation infrastructure, with the new Service Development Plan providing the Road Map on expanding and improving passenger rail services. The ongoing support from both the public and private sectors, coupled with legislative backing, bodes well for the future of passenger rail in Kansas.

We would like to thank Governor Kelly of Kansas for her continued support of the Heartland Flyer Extension.

In year, 2023 we celebrated our second successful legislative session partnering with legislative leaders in Kansas and Oklahoma to continue to provide educational programming for Rail Caucus members in both states. We thank the following Rail Caucus Chairs and Co-Chairs for their leadership and vision:

Oklahoma Rail Caucus Chair,

Senator Bill Coleman

Oklahoma Rail Caucus Co-Chair,

Representative Ken Luttrell

Kansas Rail Caucus Chair,

Senator Carolyn McGinn

                Emeritus

Kansas Passenger Rail Caucus Meeting

7 February 2024