Communities along the Oklahoma City-Fort Worth route of the state-supported Amtrak Heartland Flyer celebrated the 10th anniversary of daily passenger rail service Friday and Saturday, and Amtrak is offering a special anniversary fare promotion.
“The Heartland Flyer achieves its high marks in ridership due to the public’s love for the train and the continued support from Gov. Brad Henry, the Oklahoma legislature and our partners in Texas and at Amtrak,” said Gary Ridley, Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation.
“TxDOT considers it a privilege to be connected to such an important element of the country’s rail service,” said Chris Lippincott, the Texas Department of Transportation’s media relations director. “Texas and Oklahoma are rivals on the football field, but we’re proud to be partners when it comes to the Heartland Flyer.”
“This service has exceeded its ridership expectations from the day it started and even in the current economic climate is within striking distance of last year’s record pace,” said Joseph Yannuzzi, who is responsible for the Heartland Flyer service as Amtrak General Superintendent, Southwest Division.
Rail travelers can now purchase an adult train ticket for as little as $20 each way to ride the full Heartland Flyer route, which is 20 percent off the regular ticket price. Kids’ fares and ticket prices between other cities on the route are even lower.
The special anniversary fare is good for travel from now through June 30, but tickets must be purchased by June 27 to qualify for the discounted price. Reservations for the discounted fare can be booked only by calling Amtrak’s reservation center at (800) USA-RAIL and asking for code V206. Seating is limited and restrictions apply, so booking reservations early is strongly recommended.
“If you and your family haven’t ridden the Heartland Flyer, now is a perfect opportunity to take advantage of the special fare,” said Karen Adams, Chair of the Heartland Flyer Coalition. “You will see some of Oklahoma’s prettiest scenery as the train glides through Big Canyon, in the Arbuckle Mountains.”
The Flyer began operation on June 14, 1999, with federal funds received by ODOT that were designed to initiate service in areas without Amtrak trains. TxDOT joined the partnership with Oklahoma and Amtrak in 2006. Trains have carried more than 625,000 passengers along the 206-mile route.
Amtrak operates the Heartland Flyer under state-funded contracts with the ODOT and TxDOT to provide daily service, with regularly scheduled stops in Oklahoma City, Norman, Purcell, Pauls Valley and Ardmore, and in Gainesville and Fort Worth, Texas.
For details about the stops along the route or to find out more about the Heartland Flyer, go to www.heartlandflyer.com.
