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.
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.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.
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