Wichita Passenger Rail Service Moves Closer to Completion

Passenger rail service through Wichita, a project championed by the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce’s South Central Kansas Transportation Coalition, took a major step forward today after being awarded a $500,000 grant by the Federal Railroad Administration.

The proposed corridor would extend the Amtrak Heartland Flyer passenger rail service north and connect Wichita to existing service between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, Texas.

“This is a monumental step forward in making this project a reality,” said John Rolfe, President and CEO of the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce. “As we connect cities and industries, we are not merely laying tracks. We are building a pathway for economic growth and ensuring our region remains a hub of opportunity.”

The Kansas Department of Transportation submitted the Corridor ID Program proposal in partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the Texas Department of Transportation.

K-DOT has already completed a scope, schedule, cost estimate and other preliminary staging needed for the Heartland Flyer expansion. This work, combined with ongoing support from state and local governments, significantly strengthened the three-state application, advancing the Heartland Flyer extension into the FRA funding pipeline.

“Passenger rail is not just a mode of transportation. It links businesses and propels our region forward,” Rolfe said. “Thank you to all the elected officials at the local, state and federal level who made this project a priority.”

The SCK Transportation Coalition advocates for funding and policies to address regionally significant transportation infrastructure needs, like the Heartland Flyer expansion. This effort brings industry and government together to educate the Kansas Legislature, K-DOT, the Kansas Congressional Delegation, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the business community and members of the public about transportation issues that impact the region’s growth.

For more on the SCK Transportation Coalition, click here.