Money Dispute Could Derail Heartland Flyer Services In Oklahoma

Oklahoma may be on the verge of losing the Heartland Flyer. 

The passenger train runs every day between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, Texas. The state has a contract with Amtrak to run the train service, but the rail company may now be asking for more money than the state's willing to pay.

Supporters and state officials met downtown this weekend to talk about ways to offset the cost, including doubling the train's frequency and expanding service to Kansas.

"This is all about economic development, and the more trains that we have running the more economic impact we're going to have. And we're going to see a lot of people, I think, embrace this service more than they have in the past," said Evan Stair with Passenger Rail Oklahoma.

Right now, Oklahoma shares the cost with Texas, but Oklahoma does not appropriate enough money annually to cover its share.