HOUSE RESOLUTION No. 6017
A RESOLUTION supporting the full development, funding and implementation of the
Heartland Flyer Extension between Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Newton, Kansas.
WHEREAS, The Kansas Secretary of Transportation, Julie Lorenz,
presented to the 2021 Passenger Rail Coalition her discussion with
Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation, Tim Gatz, about both Kansas
and Oklahoma's desire to have Amtrak's Heartland Flyer route extended
north, through Oklahoma and Kansas, which, however, would require
federal funding for both states to develop the passenger rail corridor;
and
WHEREAS, At the Passenger Rail Coalition Forum held on
February 10, 2021, Amtrak presented a proposal for the state of Kansas
to request 100% federal funding for the Heartland Flyer Extension
capital costs, as well as three to five years of operational costs, through
the federal reauthorization of the Surface Transportation Act; and
WHEREAS, Amtrak has approached the state of Kansas about
entering into a multi-state operational partnership for extending the
Heartland Flyer, with connecting service between Amtrak's Southwest
Chief and Texas Eagle; and
WHEREAS, Amtrak has received a Reauthorization Act request
from the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission concerning the
incorporation of additional frequencies and a second train for this
corridor, specifically, a daytime frequency that will operate between
Fort Worth, Texas, and Kansas City, Missouri; and
WHEREAS, The Kansas Passenger Rail Service Development Plan
of 2010 includes an option for additional frequencies and a second
train, known as Alternative #3, to transit within the Heartland Flyer and
Southwest Chief corridors; and
WHEREAS, An accompanying improvement of ridership and
financial performance would be realized by an extension and second
frequency of the Heartland Flyer; and
WHEREAS, The Amtrak Southwest Chief and Sunset Limited
routes would realize a dramatic increase in ridership and financial
performance from a two-frequency Heartland Flyer connection with
hubs in Newton, Kansas, and Fort Worth, Texas; and
WHEREAS, Ridership on the Heartland Flyer Extension from
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Newton, Kansas, is anticipated to double
when connected with the Southwest Chief in Newton, Kansas; and
WHEREAS, Fully-funded maintenance of the Southwest Chief is an
integral and vital component of the Heartland Flyer Extension; and
WHEREAS, The Kansas Department of Transportation identifies
passenger rail development in the State Rail Plan; and
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of
Kansas: That we support and endorse the extension of Amtrak service
between Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Newton, Kansas; and
Be it further resolved: That we urge the Kansas Congressional
delegation to support the inclusion of full federal funding for the
complete implementation and development of the Heartland Flyer
Extension from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Newton, Kansas, as well
 HOUSE RESOLUTION No. 6017 – page 2
as a second frequency directly connecting Kansas City, Missouri, and
Fort Worth, Texas, in the upcoming reauthorization of the Surface
Transportation Act; and
Be it further resolved: That we urge the Kansas Congressional
delegation to support the inclusion of full federal funding for the
maintenance and future development of the Southwest Chief in the
upcoming reauthorization of the Surface Transportation Act; and
Be it further resolved: That we approve a multi-state partnership
among Amtrak and the several states through which the service will
operate.
I hereby certify that the above RESOLUTION originated in the HOUSE, and
was adopted by that body


Speaker of the House.

Chief Clerk of the House.