Transit Briefs: Amtrak, KC Streetcar, SEPTA, BART, Brightline
Amtrak
The Texas Transportation Commission on Aug. 21 approved the Regional Transportation Council’s (RTC) July decision to commit $3.5 million to keep the Heartland Flyer rolling, according to the RTC. The action allows the Amtrak service linking Fort Worth and Oklahoma City to continue operating for the next year.
This is the second time in recent months the RTC has stepped in with funding. In January, it said it approved up to $100,000 in Regional Revenue funding to cover a potential shortfall through the end of the fiscal year.
The Heartland Flyer, which has operated since 1999, faced “the end of the line” after the Texas Department of Transportation’s funding request was not included in the state’s final budget. The 206-mile route is jointly funded by TxDOT and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.
“The RTC and the North Central Texas Council of Governments are grateful to the Texas Transportation Commission for approving use of Regional Revenue funding for the Heartland Flyer,” NCTCOG Director of Transportation Michael Morris said. “This interim funding will help secure the future of the Heartland Flyer, which serves as a vital link for both commuters and leisure travelers between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City. We extend our thanks to Amtrak, the Texas Department of Transportation, the Texas Transportation Commission and all partners involved in making this historic action happen. We look forward to working with them to build a strong future for passenger rail.”
“On behalf of our Amtrak guests who count on daily Heartland Flyer trains, we thank the Texas Transportation Commission for approving the state’s share of funding of the service from the NCTCOG and its RTC,” said Jennifer Mitchell, Amtrak Executive Vice President. “We will work with the Commission, TxDOT, NCTCOG and other interested parties in Texas for a longer-term state funding solution. More than 80,000 passengers rode this service last year, up by 11% from the previous 12 months, on trains that are an economic benefit to both Texas and Oklahoma.”
According to the RTC, the new funding approval is also a benefit for special events hosted in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, like the FIFA World Cup in 2026.
“We are also happy to announce continued Heartland Flyer service in time for our tradition of welcoming guests to ride Amtrak to and from the annual Red River rivalry game between the UT Longhorns and OU Sooners on Oct. 11 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas,” Jennifer Mitchell noted.
KC Streetcar
KC Streetcar has commenced full-service simulated testing on the expanded route from the River Market to the University of Missouri-Kansas City. “This simulation replicates full passenger service with seven to eight streetcars operating along the route,” the agency reported Aug. 21. Testing will take place during regular streetcar service hours for several weeks, it noted.
The grand opening of the KC Streetcar Main Street Southern Extension is set for Oct. 24, according to project partners Kansas City, Mo.; KC Streetcar Authority; and Kansas City Area Transportation Authority. (See map below.)
The project is a 3.5-mile, 15-stop extension of the KC Streetcar system that will connect the current southern terminus at Union Station to the University of Missouri – Kansas City at 51st Street and Brookside Boulevard. It will bring the total system to nearly six miles.
The project includes improved public spaces and pedestrian access, as well as the addition of eight new streetcars from CAF USA, bringing the fleet total to 14. It will also connect with regional transit, including through the New Plaza Transit Center.
Project planning began in April 2017, and the official groundbreaking took place April 6, 2022. With a total cost of $352 million, the extension is fully funded through a combination of $200 million in federal grant funds provided by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and $152 million in local funds provided by the Main Street Rail Transportation Development District.
Kansas City serves as project manager of the Main Street Extension design and construction and is the FTA grant recipient. Construction was led by KC Streetcar Constructors, a joint venture of Herzog Contracting Corp. and Stacy and Witbeck and supported by Burns & McDonnell and JE Dunn Construction. The project is overseen by the joint partnership of Kansas City, KC Streetcar Authority and Kansas City Area Transportation Authority.
As part of the full-service simulated testing now under way, KC Streetcar said the team is evaluating arrival and departure times, streetcar spacing, streetcar schedules, turn back operations, and layover time, and will make iterative adjustments as needed. Testing is also providing an opportunity for ongoing operator training on the new alignment, ensuring that all streetcar staff are fully prepared for passenger service, it noted. In addition, the newly established KC Streetcar Operations Control Center will be activated. This dispatch center will serve as the central hub for monitoring, managing, and coordinating the entire streetcar system.
During testing, downtown streetcar service will continue without interruption, maintaining normal hours and service levels, according to KC Streetcar.
SEPTA
Average daily ridership in July 2025 was 669,203 unlinked passenger trips across all modes, SEPTA reported Aug. 21. System-wide ridership last month increased 4% from the same month last year. On average, there were 28,788 more trips per day in July 2025 than in July 2024. According to SEPTA, the growth is largely driven by B, L, Bus, and Regional Rail.
SEPTA Metro ridership was up 5%—an increase of 11,340 average weekday trips—from July 2024. Ridership on the B and L continues to outpace system-wide growth, according to the transit authority, which noted that ridership for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Soccer tournament was included in the June data.
Trolley ridership decreased by 1% or 540 unlinked trips per weekday. SEPTA noted that ridership typically declines in July due to the Trolley Tunnel Closure, which this year ran from July 11 through Aug. 10.
According to the transit authority, the G experienced strong ridership growth in July with a 23% increase in weekday ridership.
Regional Rail ridership grew by 9% with approximately 81,331 unlinked trips per weekday, which SEPTA said is roughly 6,631 additional passengers relative to this time last year.
Weekday bus ridership was up 3% or approximately 10,680 unlinked trips from July 2024. “Weekend ridership growth is slightly outpacing growth on weekdays,” SEPTA noted. “Saturday ridership has increased 4% and Sunday ridership has increased by 7%.”
“July is typically the lowest ridership month of the calendar year,” SEPTA pointed out. “Ridership is down relative to May and June however this is an annual occurrence.
Further Reading:
- SEPTA Beginning 20% Service Cuts Aug. 24
- SEPTA Releases Reduced-Service Schedules
- SEPTA FY26 Budget Includes Service Cuts, Fare Hikes
- Second of a Series: Philadelphia Leads the Way
- 2025 Passenger Rail Outlook: ‘Murphy Was an Optimist!’
BART
With the recent installation of Next Generation Fare Gates at San Bruno Station, BART has completed gate installation at 48 stations and is on track to wrap up the systemwide project across all 50 stations in the five counties it serves by the end of 2025, the agency reported Aug. 21.
“Next Generation Fare Gates feature clear swing barriers that are much more difficult to push through or jump over compared to the old gates BART had used for decades,” BART said. “The new gates are bolstered by a one-of-its-kind locking mechanism designed to boost their resilience. The gates also improve access for paying riders. They have LED lighting on the swing barriers and are equipped with 3D sensors that can detect if someone is in a wheelchair or has a bike, stroller, or luggage with them.”
Gate installations began last September on the concourse level of 24th Street/Mission Station.
Installation work at the San Bruno Station and the other four non-airport stations in San Mateo County was fully funded by the San Mateo County Transportation Authority through voter-approved Measure W, according to BART. SFO funded the new gates at San Francisco International Airport Station.
“The installation of these game-changing fare gates is the result of a collaborative effort,” San Mateo County Board of Supervisors President David Canepa said. “I’m proud to say we have hit the reset button on the relationship between San Mateo County and BART. BART and San Mateo County share the goal of increasing ridership through making stations safer and cleaner. These gates represent a critical step in what will be an ongoing partnership to put riders first.”
“We carry approximately 25% of transit boardings among all operators in San Mateo County,” BART General Manager Bob Powers said. “I think even more people in San Mateo County will ride BART because of these fare gates and how they are changing the station environment by serving as a deterrent against unwanted behavior.”
According to BART, the new gates are getting “mostly positive reviews” from riders. “A survey of riders indicated the number of those who reported seeing someone fare evade dropped by nearly 1/3 from just a year ago as new gates have been installed in more stations,” it reported.
In related news, BART recently became the Bay Area’s first Tap and Ride system. Also, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority is sticking with a single-bore tunnel for the final phase of the BART Silicon Valley Extension.
Brightline
Brightline on Aug. 20 launched its first credit card affiliate collaboration with Capital One.
“The initiative will spotlight the Capital One Venture, VentureOne and Venture X cards,” the railroad reported. “These cards are specifically tailored for travelers who crave flexibility and rewards, and their offerings align seamlessly with the needs of Brightline customers. Guests will encounter Capital One’s Venture Suite across digital platforms, select stations, and onboard environments.” Riders who sign up for and are approved for the credit cards can redeem miles for any travel purchase, including Brightline tickets.
“This collaboration brings together two forward-thinking brands that are reshaping their industries,” said Barbara Drahl, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Commercial Strategy at Brightline. “Capital One’s bold, customer-centric approach aligns perfectly with our mission to redefine modern transportation and connect communities across Florida in smarter, more inspiring ways.”
Brightline covers 235 miles between Miami and Orlando (see map above). It launched the first phase of its South Florida operations in 2018, connecting Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Stations in Boca Raton and Aventura opened in 2022. Construction of its 170-mile, $6 billion phase two extension from West Palm Beach to Orlando began in 2019 and service launched in September 2023.
In related news, Brightline recently teamed with JetBlue and announced a partnership with McLaren Applied.
