NEWTON, KANSAS HEARTLAND FLYER EXPANSION CRITICAL TO CONTINUED OKLAHOMA/ KANSAS SERVICE

OKLAHOMA SERVICE NOT AS INTENDED:

Expansion of the Heartland Flyer to Newton, Kansas is vital to the continued operation and success of passenger rail in Oklahoma.  Today, the Heartland Flyer is a mere shell of what it could be.  It's stub end nature is simply not efficient.  For this reason, no political or constituent support has developed.  Its transportation usefulness is limited to those who need or desire to travel south.  Oklahoma is also currently missing the benefits of through rider-ship between Texas and points north.  It is doubtful that the current service is what U.S. Senator Don Nickles had in mind. 

KANSAS EXPANSION: TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS/ STRENGTHEN SW CHIEF

Expansion would aide Kansas by bolstering Southwest Chief rider-ship.  With the unstable nature of Amtrak funding, this could help Kansas retain passenger rail service if and when Amtrak's Congressional and Administration critics succeed in forcing discontinuance of selected long distance Amtrak routes.  It would also give South Central Kansas residents more transportation options.

Please write letters to the following elected individuals.  Let them know that you believe an expanded Heartland Flyer would help your state with its long term transportation needs.

Consider the following.  An expanded Heartland Flyer would do the following:

• Link points along the Chicago to Los Angeles Southwest Chief route and Texas/ Oklahoma communities including, but not limited to:

  • Kansas City

  • Wichita

  • Oklahoma City

  • Fort Worth (Dallas)

  • Austin

  • San Antonio

  • Albuquerque

  • Flagstaff

  • The Grand Canyon

  • Los Angeles

• Remove 12 hours from the current Oklahoma City to Chicago transit time. (Currently, one must backtrack to Fort Worth and use the Texas Eagle to reach Chicago.)

• Increase the usefulness of the Heartland Flyer in Oklahoma and Northern Texas

• Restore service to the following Oklahoma and Kansas communities:

  • Edmond

  • Guthrie

  • Perry (Stillwater/ Enid)

  • Ponca City

  • Arkansas City/ Winfield

  • Wichita

• Benefit the local economies of communities service

• Provide transportation options for the elderly, poor, and those who simply do not desire to drive.

• Slow the exponential increase in highway traffic and highway construction/ maintenance costs.

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