July 16, 2024 - TRA Newswire -

Should the State of Oklahoma and Texas want to expand from one daily roundtrip currently offered on the Heartland Flyer between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City, now would be the time to move on it. Or should an existing entity like the Lone Star Rail District or a new agency be formed to move quickly and apply for funding to establish round-trip regional intercity service between Austin and San Antonio? 

The Federal Railroad Administration has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for $153 million that's targeted to support passenger rail projects on new routes, restore service on routes that formerly had intercity passenger operations and enhance service on existing routes. 

The Restoration and Enhancement (R&E) Grant Program is designed to assist with operating costs and covers an array of expenses up to the first six years of service for newly initiated, restored or enhanced passenger rail operations while the services build their ridership and revenue base and bolster their long-term potential.

A second roundtrip on the state-sponsored Heartland Flyer would allow same day return between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City and build business and tourism traffic between stations on the 200 mile route. The Flyer has seen a dramatic post-pandemic increase in ridership and revenue. For fiscal year 24 through May the single round-trip racked up a 9% increase in ridership with 51,191 passengers compared to 46,760 in the same period in 2023. 

Between Austin and San Antonio, county judges have assembled a Passenger Rail Advisory Committee to find a way to establish an intercity service with multiple frequencies in the overloaded I-35 travel corridor. The committee, now in its infancy, would have to move at light speed to take advantage of the NOFO.

The R&E program covers expenses including operating costs, like staffing costs for train crew members; station costs, ticket sales, customer information and train dispatching services, train yard operations costs, routine planned maintenance costs of equipment and train cleaning costs, marketing costs and administrative costs.

“The R&E Program plays a vital role in bringing world-class passenger rail service to all Americans by improving rider satisfaction and making possible new routes and services that will meet the needs of citizens across the country,” said FRA Administrator Amit Bose. “Through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, FRA is helping to ensure the success of new and expanded intercity passenger rail services that will have a major impact on the safety and efficiency of our transportation networks and the quality of life of local communities for generations to come.” 

“The quality of our intercity passenger rail services has a major impact not only on the experiences of millions of riders, but also on the economic vitality of our communities, as well as our efforts to combat climate change,” said U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Safer, more frequent and more accessible passenger rail services—made possible with funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law--will expand travel and commuting options, creating newly efficient and sustainable opportunities to get around the country.”   

Applications for funding are due 75 days after the publication date. This program funds grants for initiating, restoring, or enhancing intercity passenger rail transportation. Applications are due no later than 11:59 pm ET on September 30, 2024.

Photo credit: Texas Rail Advocates / Heartland Flyer at Fort Worth and Texas Eagle at Austin