Transit System Overview and Gap Analysis Transit System Overview

The Heartland Flyer provides a connection with both eastbound and westbound sections of the current Eagle line in Fort Worth. This connection enables passenger transfers to other east-west rail services. Oklahoma communities served along the way are Norman, Purcell, Pauls Valley, and Ardmore. The train is handicap accessible but does not provide bicycle accommodations or racks. Figure 1-5 shows current schedules Figure 1-5. Heartland Flyer Station Schedule for the five Oklahoma stations served by the Heartland Flyer. Figure 1-6 shows the Heartland Flyer Route through Oklahoma and into North Texas. The Heartland Flyer schedule currently favors Oklahoma passengers travelling to Texas. Except for a short trip confined to afternoon business or recreation in Fort Worth, a trip to Texas would

require, at a minimum, an Source: “Heartland Flyer Schedule,” ODOT overnight’s stay to afford a full day in the /Fort Worth area. A trip to Oklahoma from Texas would Figure 1-6. Heartland Flyer require two nights stay to allow time in the state for business or personal activities. A disadvantage of the route is that it serves Fort Worth instead of Dallas. Dallas is much larger than Fort Worth. Tarrant County (which contains Fort Worth) has a 2010 population of 1.8 million, less than one-third the total Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro area population of 6.5 million. The Amtrak fiscal year 2010 Fact Sheet noted that ridership aboard Heartland Flyer trains decreased by nearly 9.1 percent between fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (to 73,564 passengers) and increased by 11.1 percent between fiscal years

2009 and 2010 (to 81,749 “Heartland Flyer Routes,” ODOT

June 2012 1-11