The Texas Transportation Commission recently approved the Regional Transportation Council's decision in July to commit $3.5 million to keep the Heartland Flyer rolling. The action allows the Amtrak line linking Fort Worth and Oklahoma City to continue operating for the next year after facing the possibility of running out of funding.

The Amtrak service, which has operated since 1999, according to a release, faced the possibility of ending after the Texas Department of Transportation's funding request was not included in the state's final budget. The 206-mile route is jointly funded by TxDOT and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.

"This interim funding will help secure the future of the Heartland Flyer, which serves as a vital link for both commuters and leisure travelers between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City," NCTCOG Director of Transportation Michael Morris said. "We extend our thanks to Amtrak, the Texas Department of Transportation, the Texas Transportation Commission, and all partners involved in making this historic action happen. We look forward to working with them to build a strong future for passenger rail."

Amtrak welcomed the Texas Transportation Commission's approval of funding for the Heartland Flyer, which is good news for special events hosted in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, like the FIFA World Cup in 2026.

"We will work with the commission, TxDOT, NCTCOG, and other interested parties in Texas for a longer-term state funding solution," said Jennifer Mitchell, Amtrak Executive Vice President. "More than 80,000 passengers rode this service last year, up by 11% from the previous 12 months, on trains that are an economic benefit to both Texas and Oklahoma."

According to a release, this is the second time in recent months the RTC has stepped in with funding to keep the Heartland Flyer operating. In January, the RTC approved up to $100,000 in Regional Revenue funding to cover a potential shortfall through the end of the fiscal year.