Flower Mound State Sen. Tan Parker helped lock in Texas funding for Amtrak's Heartland Flyer through 2027. The deal ends uncertainty over whether the Fort Worth-to-Oklahoma City passenger rail line would have shut down.

Parker, a Republican who chairs the Texas Senate Committee on Transportation, discussed the funding on KERA's NTX Now program Thursday, Aug. 27. The Denton Record-Chronicle reported that Texas provided its share of the funding, which the Oklahoma and Texas Departments of Transportation split.

The Heartland Flyer opened in 1999 and carried almost 81,000 passengers in the year ending September 2025, according to Amtrak. The line runs one train each way daily, with Texas stops in Gainesville and Fort Worth. At Fort Worth, riders can connect to Dallas, Chicago and San Antonio via Amtrak's Texas Eagle.

"I also believe in this environment where Texas is growing so rapidly, particularly in North Texas, that to address the issues of congestion and mobility, we need long-term rail or long-haul rail … Amtrak Heartland Flyer is a wonderful asset," Parker said.

The funding is not permanent. Parker said the Legislature must reauthorize it every two years during its regular sessions.

Next session priorities

Beyond the Heartland Flyer, Parker outlined his transportation agenda for the upcoming legislative session. He said safety is his top priority.

At a recent hearing of his committee, Parker highlighted three growth areas he plans to address: rail crossings, autonomous vehicles and ensuring commercial driver's licenses are issued legally.

Parker represents Senate District 12, which includes Flower Mound. The 90th Texas Legislature convenes Jan. 12, 2027.