Wichita passenger rail backers eye Okla. plan
BY Associated Press
Sunday, February 03, 2013
WICHITA, Kan. — As Wichita attempts to lure passenger rail to the city, a group in Tulsa, Okla., is doing the same. But Tulsa officials say the efforts aren't in competition.
Currently, the Heartland Flyer travels from Fort Worth to Oklahoma City. Some want to see that train continue northward, taking it to Wichita, Newton and possibly on to Kansas City, Mo.
The concern for Wichita rail boosters is that an Amtrak route that included Tulsa would skirt Wichita.
But The Wichita Eagle reported that the Tulsa group exploring train service is backing a privately operated passenger train.
Former Tulsa Councilman Rick Westcott said there's no reason why the Heartland Flyer line couldn't be extended to Wichita, while a separate private train makes trips from Oklahoma City to Tulsa.
