Transit Briefs: Amtrak, State of Nevada, Santa Clara VTA

Amtrak

“For more than 25 years, the Heartland Flyer has been a vital link between Dallas-Fort Worth and Oklahoma City along the I-35 corridor,” Amtrak reported June 5. “Operated in partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT), the Heartland Flyer faces imminent service suspension no later than Oct. 1 unless Texas secures its share of funding.”

TxDOT requested $7.05 million this year to support the Heartland Flyer for two years, which was not approved in the legislative budget cycle. According to a June 3 report by Dallas’ ABC affiliate, “Texas Rail Advocates says Texas’ $338 billion spending bill won final passage from lawmakers last week and was sent to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts to be certified before heading to Gov. Greg Abbott for review.”

Amtrak said it will “continue to work closely with state and local partners to address the funding challenge and will provide a specific suspension date at a later time.”

Serving more than 80,000 customers in Fiscal Year 2024 and reaching $2.2 million in ticket revenue, the Heartland Flyer alleviates congestion on one of Texas’ busiest highways and supports workforce mobility and job access—“key pillars” of Texas’ $97.5 billion travel industry, according to Amtrak. In Fort Worth alone, it noted, the $3.5 billion tourism economy benefits significantly from continued rail service. “America’s Railroad” added that it is investing more than $63 million in ADA station improvements at 16 stations in Texas, “further bolstering the state’s passenger rail network.”

The Heartland Flyer connects to the Texas Eagle between Chicago, Fort Worth, and San Antonio, with further connections on the Sunset Limited for travel between San Antonio, El Paso, and Los Angeles. Ending this service, Amtrak noted, would sever a well-established transportation network.

The Heartland Flyer’s potential reaches even further with ongoing efforts by the Kansas Department of Transportation, ODOT, and the Northern Flyer Alliance to extend it north to Newton, Kans., “creating a seamless link to the Southwest Chief between Chicago and Los Angeles,” according to Amtrak. The railroad added that maintaining Heartland Flyer service “will be vital for transporting and visitors from Oklahoma and beyond” to the 2026 World Cup matches, to be hosted in the Dallas-Fort Worth region.

“Reliable rail service provides a vital transportation option for residents and visitors alike, strengthening regional mobility, economic development, and tourism,” Amtrak President Roger Harris said. “With service that supports Texas’ continued economic growth and the region’s connectivity, sustaining the Heartland Flyer is essential to maintaining momentum and ensuring long term mobility in the region.”

“The Heartland Flyer is key to ensuring Fort Worth’s continued success as a global destination and is central to the city’s tourism industry, business community, and thriving economy,” Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker said. “Fort Worth is the busiest Amtrak station in Texas—generating millions in economic impact annually—and as people continue to move to our region, travel reliability, mobility choices, and connectivity will be key to our competitiveness.”

“This is more than just trains and tracks,” commented Gainesville Mayor Tommy Moore. “The Heartland Flyer supports nearly $20 million in annual economic activity and almost 30 full-time jobs. It provides a vital transportation option for Texans and Oklahomans alike—and losing it will be a major setback for mobility, our environment, and our economy. By working together, I believe we can find a solution that keeps the Heartland Flyer on track. I’ll keep the public informed every step of the way, and I’ll keep fighting to make sure this critical service stays in place for years to come.”

“Oklahoma City has long been committed to a comprehensive, connected transportation system, and we have benefited from the Heartland Flyer’s contribution to that vision,” Oklahoma City Mayor David Holtsaid. “We recognize that Texas benefits greatly from the visits of our residents via the Flyer, and we also deeply appreciate the amenity and the connection to the entire Amtrak system. The Heartland Flyer is a vital link that supports economic opportunity throughout our region.”

Further Reading: Heartland Flyer End of the Line?

Nevada

Las Vegas’ NBC affiliate on June 4 reported that Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo “has signed a bill to study the potential for regional rail transit in the state.” It said “AB 256 directs the state’s Legislative Commission to create a Regional Rail Transit Advisory Working Group,” whose representatives would come from Nevada’s public transit agencies, labor unions, “experts in rail transit,” and local government. The group would not only study existing public transit and “whether regional rail transit would be a fit in communities,” but also “look into potential sources of funding for developing rail transit,” according to the media outlet.

The working group’s findings, it reported, must be submitted to the Joint Interim Committee on Growth and Infrastructure by July 2026.

“Assemblymember Selena La Rue Hatch, who introduced the bill, said expanding public transit would help reduce traffic congestion and decrease pollution,” according to the Las Vegas NBC affiliate.

Santa Clara VTA

The Santa Clara VTA on June 4 reported being informed that members of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 265 have voted to accept its latest contract offer, concluding a months-long negotiation process. The ratification vote took place June 3.

According to Santa Clara VTA, the agreement includes wage increases of 4%, 3.5%, 3%, and 4% over a four-year term “with improved workplace policies and enhanced dental benefits.” This brings ATU into alignment with the three other VTA labor unions, all of which ratified agreements in April. The ATU agreement was to go before the VTA Board of Directors for final approval.

“I’m pleased that we’ve reached an agreement that stays within VTA’s financial limits while fairly recognizing the contributions of our employees,” said Carolyn Gonot, Santa Clara VTA General Manager/CEO. “This contract ensures manageable labor costs over the next four years and provides our workforce with the compensation they deserve.”

“We have a strong agreement that retains our operators among the highest paid in the Bay Area and nation, and our mechanics as the highest paid nationwide, pending final board approval,” added VTA Board Chair Sergio Lopez. “This is a fair agreement which benefits both employees and the riding public. I want to express my gratitude to everyone who has played a role in getting us here, as well as the riders we serve.”

The new contract brings an end to a prolonged period of bargaining that began in August 2024 and included a 17-day strike.