Quote Originally Posted by Plutonic Panda View Post
I can’t give you specifics because I’m unaware of them but just speaking in generality that there are usually economic benefits that come with trains. I think it would help immensely if upgraded the line, extended it Tulsa and Newton, and had better frequencies running at least 4 trains a day. As Dan said, a stop in Denton would be prudent along with a stop in Thackerville at the casino.

If we double tracked the line, added 4 daily trains each way, maintained an average speed around 90-100MPH, I bet many riders would be induced. That also comes with new trains and again, extended service to Tulsa(and eventually connecting Tulsa to Kansas City and STL) and Newton
Based on their current direction, It would be OKC-Newton, not Tulsa-Newton.

I think much of what you want won't be doable until we are operational to Newton and ridership proves the investment is worthy, which I think it will be.

Personally I'd be happy to start with if they would just come back and go down at least one more time per day to give some flexibility. In other words when it gets down to FTW, it loads up and comes back. Then takes another load down. I realize this would require another train because of the timing. But right now once the train is down there, it stays until the 5:30 return.


If I were in charge I’d do this

Phase 1(2023-2025):

New Siemens diesel trains(I don’t know the model but I believe they are manufactured in Sacramento)

Revamped stations throughout the state

Added station at Winstar

Daily increase of trains to 4 each way

Double tracked in certain places along 60 percent of the line

Phase two(2025-2029):

Extension to Newton

New train line running to Tulsa down I-44 ROW

Heartland Flyer average speed 100MPH

Double tracked the entire route

Phase 3(2030s)

Extension from Tulsa to Missouri

Couple that with improvements to active transportation and improvements to local alternative transportation and I guarantee ridership increases. I don’t think any of that is unreasonable or unrealistic. Even all of that still doesn’t compare to Europe or the NE but provides for a decent alternative to car transportation.
You may or may not realize that the flyer is 100% Oklahoma-Texas funded. Unlike some other routes, we don't get any federal assistance. This is based on a map I've seen that shows 100% federally funded lines, lines that are fed/state funded, and lines that are state only, and we were the latter. I'll see if I can find that map. Point is, I don't see the states of Oklahoma or Texas doing any of what you're asking for (maybe Texas would be interested after the high speed train is in place, who knows). Now what I _could_ see is getting some federal funds to help us get online to Newton, and once we're online there, if it were going well, I could see the FTW-Newton full line becoming partially federal funded. But we've got such a long way to go. Again, I want everything you want. But there are fiscal realities to face.