Passenger Rail in Kansas

Current Passenger Rail Service

Passenger rail service in Kansas is limited to Amtrak’s Southwest Chief from Chicago to Los Angeles, which includes nightly stops in Kansas City, Lawrence, Topeka, Newton, Hutchinson, Dodge City, and Garden City. Since 1999, the Heartland Flyer has connected Oklahoma City to Fort Worth, where Amtrak connections are available to Dallas and San Antonio. Passenger service from Newton to Oklahoma City has not been offered since 1979, but plans are underway for its restoration.

Legislative Review and Action

Extending passenger rail service in Kansas has been discussed for many years. The 2000 Task Force on Rail Passenger Services in Kansas found a Kansas City-Lawrence-Topeka-Newton-Wichita route to be the most economically feasible of the passenger rail routes reviewed. Following public input in 2008 to the Special Committee on a New Comprehensive Transportation Plan, the Transportation Works for Kansas (T-Works) program (2010 Senate Sub. for Senate Sub. for HB 2650) was established. It added KSA 75-5089, which authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to establish and implement a passenger rail service program and authorizes the Secretary to, among other things, enter into agreements with Amtrak, other rail operators, local jurisdictions, and other states for that purpose.

The 2012 Special Committee on Transportation recommended the 2013 Legislature pursue private, local, state, and federal funding for maintenance of the Southwest Chief route and direct $3.0 million to an environmental study needed for federal funding for a Heartland Flyer Extension to link Newton and Oklahoma City. The study was not funded.
Advocates and stakeholders have continued to urge state support for passenger rail.

Representatives of Amtrak and the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission and advocates, including representatives of the Northern Flyer Alliance, Inc. (NFA), have periodically updated legislators. Representatives of Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), 10 cities, 1 county, and 4 organizations, including NFA plus 11 individuals, provided proponent testimony on 2024 SB 349, which would have authorized a transfer of $5.0 million per year each July 1 in 2024 through 2034 from the State General Fund or KDOT special revenue funds for intercity passenger rail service. A proviso in 2024 SB 28, §142, authorizes FY 2025 loans or grants from the Passenger Rail Revolving Fund for intercity passenger rail service, with approval of the State Finance Council.

Federal Funding to Expand Service

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) (P.L. 117-58) includes $102.0 billion in total rail funding, including $36.0 billion in authorized funding.

In late 2023, the Governor announced Kansas had received $500,000 in IIJA funding for a Service Development Plan (SDP) for the Heartland Flyer Extension, which means the project could qualify for future IIJA moneys for implementation. An SDP includes an analysis of operations, such as frequency, route timing, station location, and intermodal connections; capital investment needs, including for infrastructure, rolling stock, and stations; financial analysis involving ridership and revenue forecasts, potential funding mechanisms, and cost-sharing opportunities; and an implementation plan to identify roles, responsibilities, and costs.

KDOT, the project sponsor, has stated it is working with Amtrak, the Oklahoma and Texas departments of transportation, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC (BNSF) Passenger Operations, and BNSF Network Operations on the plan. Note: The Heartland Flyer Extension would use BNSF track, as does the Southwest Chief. Amtrak’s relationship with host railroads is governed by federal law (49 USC Subtitle V) and negotiated agreements specifying key terms such as schedules and performance standards.

The Federal Railroad Administration provided additional guidance on the SDP in August 2024 and expects to offer funding opportunities for future steps, including project development, final design, construction, and operation.