New KC corridors

[ZSmith]

 Currently the Northern Flyer Alliance appears to be gaing steam in linking Kansas City and Oklahmoma City by way of a new amtrak line. What needs to happen for the line to become reality? I also understand that there is a plan to link KC and Omaha, is this true?

[Prairietype]

What I know from hearing about their activity is that since last summer the Alliance has become a coalition of city councils, mayors, chambers and citizens who have lobbied (even hammered) the Governor of Kansas and the Department of Transportation to commit Kansas to getting its share of the the federal legislation (Lautenberg-Lott SB-294 and House Bill  HR 6003).

KDOT made their first inquiries to Amtrak on July 16th and then followed up on February 11, 2008 with a formal request for study of the route.  This is to begin sometime this summer.

What needs to happen is 1) Amtrak completes the study and delivers it to the state with a route and timetable recommendation-spring 2009, 2) Oklahoma and Kansas need to develop a bi-state compact and passenger rail development plan for federal funding eligibility, 3) Kansas Senate needs to pass enabling legislation that will have to pass the House and Senate with a 2/3rds vote and get signed by the governor (2009 term at earliest) and similar legislation in Oklahoma, 4) Both states need to purchase two additional trainsets to operate a route system service similar to Missouri and Illinois Mules and Rutledge operation, 5) Both states need to shine up the 200 miles between Oklahoma City and Newton to make that part of the route "Amtrak compliant", 6) Amtrak develops an operating agreement with Burlington Northern Santa Fe, 7) fund this operation which will cost approximately $13 million annually, apportioned among Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma according to the route miles involved in each state.

Of Note: 80% of the start up and development capital costs could be funded under the provisions of the SB-294/HR-6003. This will cover cost of signals, sidings, stations and streamliners.

At this point a good number of Kansas senators and representatives are aware and interested in the Amtrak study and recommendations, there is much buzz around the state w/ heavy media attention in Oklahoma and Kansas, KDOT has commissioned the study, and a major legislative symposium is scheduled for Tuesday, June 10th at 9:00am in the Hilton-Skirvin hotel in Oklahoma City. 

A few members of the St. Joseph, Missouri Chamber and council are talking among themselves as reported in the St. Joseph newspaper about organizing a campaign. They seem to be inspired by Quad-Cities activity and success, and Pro-Rail Nebraska interest.