We need to implement Express Service between OKC and Ft Worth, add it to the current schedule but change the times. Here is my stab at it.

Weekday
OKC-FTW: 5am - 7am EXPRESS
FTW-OKC: 8am - 10am EXPRESS
OKC-FTW: 12n - 4pm LOCAL
FTW-OKC: 7pm-10pm LOCAL

Weekend
OKC-FTW: 8am - 12n LOCAL
FTW-OKC: 5pm - 9pm LOCAL

We could continue with this schedule using the existing train. The Express Service would run from OKC Santa Fe train station to FTW train station non-stop. Local service would be like it is currently.

The addition of Express Service would be attractive for business clientel, as they could quickly get to FTW/Dallas and OKC at the beginning of the day to conduct business then stick around to shop/eat and take the train back (except FTW-OKC business pax would need to stay the night - even BETTER!!! support our downtown hotels!!! or leave by noon). The Express Service also provides other options for Oklahomans, especially since we are subsidizing the train. It is MUCH too underutilized currently!

The Express Service may also add additional revenue, as the price would be a bit higher than the local service. Business pax would surely pay the price, as would other pax as the price would be cheaper than flying and easier than driving.

Additional revenue (sustaining the train service) could be achieved with a gasoline/diesel tax. Such a tax may only need to be a statewide assessment of $0.001 per gallon, but may be enough to not only sustain the existing service but could also add staff to the OKC train station (like ticket agents, automatic ticking, security, gate agents, vending/keeping the building open).

We could also (and should have already done this) add in a restaurant and gift shop to the train station. The restaurant could be a full service outfit to serve pax and the community plus a smaller one (like a deli) for train pax. The gift shop could be an OKC tourist shop, like we have been talking about. We could also get a car rental outfit there as well!

These ideas, in addition to the sales tax increase and Express Service, should provide more than enough $$ to not only keep the train here and moving but also may add service up to Wichita and Newton KS. Of course, such a route would need another train but the additional revenue of the (Express Service, sales tax, full service restaurant and deli at the station, gift shop and car rental at the station) should provide enough revenue to sustain it all and make a profit!

One more idea, we could get TX to cough-up some cash for the line. Heartland Flyer runs for at least 50 miles in TX, so that increment should be assessed to TX. For instance, the train runs for 175 miles in OK and 50 miles in TX (approximate), so TX should pay 20% of the line. This could come in the form of diesel for the line, if nothing else. OK would not cover that.

If we expand to KS, a similar assessment to them should be required.

Imagine this:

Express Service weekdays OKC-FTW RT
revised local service
full-service restaurant inside the OKC train station
deli/fast food restaurant inside the OKC train station
gift shop inside the train station
car rental booth(s) inside the train station
at least two full-service AMTRAK ticket/reservation clerks at the station
gate service clerks at the station
baggage clerks at the station
security personnel at the station

would accomplish the following:
1) full utilization of the Heartland Flyer
2) more attractive service for business clients
3) more attractive service for OK client
4) the train service is more OK oriented (instead of FTW oriented) as FTW business pax would still be required to stay overnight in downtown OKC hotels [this is a good thing]
5) the train service would be permanently funded
6) the additional services/amenities would pay for the people performing the service plus add to the overall revenue and pay for the operation of the service.
7) a new restaurant would open in downtown
8) we could finally get a fast food outfit downtown [despirately needed, we need food diversity in the heart of downtown]
9) we could finally get an OKC oriented gift shop [which the zoo could set-up a permanent kiosk, as could other OKC attractions and hotels]
10) we could see a definite return of cabbies in downtown OKC
11) we would see a return of rental car agencies in downtown OKC (much needed!)
12) we would have a near 18 hour operation of the train station (using my conceptual hours) [train would run from 5am - 10pm]
13) with the advent of amenities and additional service, downtown OKC becomes even more attractive as a tourist and business destination
14) we could use some of the $$ to advertise the service (part of the TX allottment could be for advertising in TX market about OKC business and tourism)
15) other markets would benefit, even though the Xpress does not stop, more people may take the local [as they go down to FTW for business on xpress then take local back home and purchase locally on the way back]

Guys, this seems like a no brainer to me. How come it is so difficult for ODOT to do this. The same thing should have been done to the UNION BUS terminal. Retail and restaurant has been needed there for some time. Ditto that at Will Rogers World Airport.

We need to make sure amenities come as part of these new attractions! That new METRO terminal should have included retail space and a fast-food restaurant. Additional revenue for METRO and additional amenities for bus pax.