Amtrak study shows routes through Kansas

Ridership numbers have good potential, but effort will take years, officials say

Kansas Secretary of Transportation Deb Miller on Thursday speaks with reporters about a new study that outlines four possible routes for more passenger rail service in Kansas. Miller said the study represents the first step in a long process before Amtrak service is expanded.

State Sen. Marci Francisco, D-Lawrence, on Thursday looks at information from a study on the feasibility of more railroad passenger service in Kansas. Amtrak said ridership estimates were attractive.

? A study of expanded passenger railroad service in Kansas found “attractive” ridership numbers.

But the effort to pick a specific route and come up with the hefty startup costs — ranging from $156 million to $479 million — will take years, officials said Thursday.

“This is just the beginning,” said Kansas Department of Transportation Secretary Deb Miller.

Miller unveiled a study by Amtrak and KDOT that detailed four routes for passenger rail service between Kansas City, Oklahoma City and Fort Worth.

The routes showed estimates of 65,000 to 174,000 riders per year.

“These are attractive ridership levels,” said Michael Franke, Amtrak’s assistant vice president for policy and development. “We didn’t think they would be that high.”

Now with the study in hand, the next step is to engage the public and decide which would be the best route, Miller said. This would also involve Oklahoma, Missouri and Texas. Legislation headed to Gov. Mark Parkinson for consideration would set up a passenger rail program within KDOT.

After a route is chosen, then comes the hard part — producing money for upgrading tracks and new trains. The study didn’t include the costs of improving stations.

Miller said there may be federal funding available, but noted there is a lot of competition for transit funds at this time. In addition, the routes would require operating support from $3.2 million to $6.4 million per year.

Under present economic conditions, “I’m not sure this is a pitch to make this year,” Miller said. But she emphasized expansion of rail service is a long-term project.

Passenger Rail Feasibility Study

Alternative 1 (Extending Heartland Flyer to Newton)

Route: Newton to Fort Worth (night in Kansas)

Ridership: 92,500 per year

Startup costs: $156 million

Annual operating subsidy: $3.2 million

Potential Kansas stops: Newton, Wichita, Arkansas City

Connections: Southwest Chief, Texas Eagle

Alternative 2 (New service from Kansas City to Fort Worth)

Route: Kansas City, Mo., to Fort Worth (night in Kansas)

Ridership: 118,200 per year

Startup costs: $317 million

Annual operating subsidy: $5.2 million

Potential Kansas stops: Lawrence, Topeka, Emporia, Strong City, Newton, Wichita, Arkansas City

Connections: Southwest Chief, Missouri River Runner and Texas Eagle

Alternative 3 (New service from Kansas City to Fort Worth)

Route: Kansas City, Mo., to Fort Worth (day in Kansas)

Ridership: 174,000

Startup costs: $479 million

Annual operating subsidy: $6.1 million

Potential Kansas stops: Lawrence, Topeka, Emporia, Strong City, Newton, Arkansas City

Connections: Southwest Chief (next day), Missouri River Runner (next day), Texas Eagle (next day)

Alternative 4 (New service between Kansas City and Oklahoma City)

Route: Kansas City, Mo., to Oklahoma City (day in Kansas)

Ridership: 65,900

Startup costs: $309 million

Annual operating subsidy: $6.4 million

Potential Kansas stops: Lawrence, Topeka, Emporia, Strong City, Newton, Wichita and Arkansas City

Connections: Southwest Chief (7 hours later), Missouri River Runner (next day) and Texas Eagle (next day)