OKLAHOMA CITY, June 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Amtrak and the State of Oklahoma today honored the people behind the success of the Heartland Flyer, the state-supported passenger train operating between Oklahoma City, Okla., and Ft. Worth, Texas, on its first anniversary of service.

At the end of May 2000, a total of 68,403 passengers have boarded the Heartland Flyer since the train began service on June 14, 1999. Rail passenger service had been absent in Oklahoma for a period of 20 years.

State and local elected officials and business leaders, who stood behind the idea of Amtrak service connecting Oklahoma and Texas, were invited back to the spot where it all started, the Amtrak station in Oklahoma City, for a special anniversary trip aboard the Heartland Flyer.

"Oklahoma has responded in typical fashion -- with great enthusiasm and warm welcomes," said Oklahoma U.S. Senator Don Nickles. "Success of the Heartland Flyer has exceeded expectations and I'm glad so many have taken advantage of this travel opportunity. I applaud Amtrak and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation for their demonstrated commitment and cooperative efforts that will continue to make the Heartland Flyer a success."

"Congratulations to the Heartland Flyer on one year of outstanding service," said Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating. "Oklahoma was delighted to welcome back passenger rail service last year. The state looks forward to a positive and productive relationship with Amtrak in the future and to the possibility of expanded rail service."

Following a sendoff ceremony on the Oklahoma City station platform, invited guests boarded the Heartland Flyer for a ride to Ardmore, Okla. On the train, guests were treated to Amtrak's Trails & Rails Program presented by the Chickasaw National Recreation Area. Trails & Rails is Amtrak's on-board, interactive, educational program for passengers which highlights points of interest during a trip. Upon arrival, the Ardmore Main Street Authority hosted a celebration luncheon and provided tours of the town's historic depot. The Ardmore passenger station is one of several being restored along the Heartland Flyer route.

Don Saunders, Vice President of Customer Services for Amtrak Intercity's Western Region, said the Heartland Flyer Marketing Coalition deserves much of the credit for the train's success. Following the train's start-up last year, the coalition was established to cultivate the input of communities in marketing and promoting the service.

"Strategic partnerships, like we have in Oklahoma, are a key element of any successful business operation," said Saunders. "We are fortunate for the opportunity to work with all the wonderful people in Oklahoma who have taken such a keen interest in the success of the Heartland Flyer."

Following the luncheon in Ardmore, guests were bussed back to Oklahoma City for some more celebrating at an evening reception hosted by Amtrak and the State of Oklahoma. Events surrounding the Heartland Flyer's first anniversary began the weekend before with a three-day Amtrak equipment display, an appreciation luncheon for the Heartland Flyer Marketing Coalition.

On a daily basis, the Heartland Flyer departs Oklahoma City at 8:25 a.m. and arrives in Ft. Worth at 1:00 p.m. The train departs Ft. Worth at 5:25 p.m. daily and arrives in Oklahoma City at 10:00 p.m. The Heartland Flyer makes intermediate stops at Norman, Purcell, Pauls Valley and Ardmore, Okla., and Gainesville, Texas.

At Ft. Worth, guests can connect to Amtrak's nationwide passenger rail system. As of May 21, Ft. Worth is now served daily by Amtrak's Texas Eagle, which operates between Chicago and San Antonio via St. Louis, Little Rock, and Ft. Worth/Dallas, with continuing service to Los Angeles four times a week.

Travel connections in Ft. Worth will be enhanced by a future service expansion between Meridian, Miss., and Ft. Worth and the re- routing of the Orlando-Los Angeles Sunset Limited via Dallas/Ft. Worth. These additions will make Dallas/Ft. Worth a primary hub within the Amtrak system which will make it easier for Oklahoma passengers and businesses to use Amtrak services.

Amtrak also handles the shipment of time-sensitive goods through its Mail and Express program, the corporation's fastest growing business segment.

Amtrak operates a 22,000-mile intercity passenger rail system, serving more than 500 communities in 45 states. Under Amtrak's new leadership, the corporation is turning the corner to become a successful business enterprise. As a part of its turnaround, Amtrak is focusing on growing public and private business partnerships, improving and guaranteeing consistency and quality of service, introducing high-speed rail in the Northeast and developing other high-speed rail corridors nationwide.

For information and reservations for the Heartland Flyer or any other Amtrak service, please call 1-800-USA-RAIL or visit the Amtrak website at www.amtrak.com . SOURCE Amtrak

Publication date: 2000-06-14