ABOUT PASSENGER RAIL
OKLAHOMA
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HISTORY
2006: With the future of the Heartland Flyer more secure, Passenger Rail Oklahoma extended its reach along the proposed expansion route to its end at Kansas City. An aggressive effort began in Kansas with the formation of our sister organization, Passenger Rail Kansas. A government offshoot of this effort, the Northern Flyer Alliance formed to take the public message to both the Oklahoma and Kansas legislatures and governors.
2005: With discontinuance looming due to Oklahoma state legislative apathy, PassengerRailOk.org took charge, enlisting the support of on-route and future expansion communities. The Heartland Flyer Marketing Coalition operated a legislative train in March and demonstrators were placed at the Norman depot.
On April 11, 2005 PassengerRailOk.org organized and approximately 100 protestors picketed the state capitol demanding not only preservation of the train but expansion. As a result, Evan Stair, Executive Director was invited to speak in front of the Oklahoma House Transportation Committee regarding the benefits of expanded Heartland Flyer operation to Oklahoma transportation and economic development. Several weeks later, the Oklahoma Legislature passed HB1078 that was eventually signed by Governor Brad Henry. A portion, $2 million, of the bill's financial outlay was to be dedicated to annual operation of the Heartland Flyer.
The Bluegrass Festival weekend of September 29 through October 2 saw the return of Amtrak to Guthrie. Amtrak extended the train to Guthrie and nearly 300 tickets were sold for the six trains (three north (Sept 29, 30, Oct 1 and three south Sept 30, Oct 1, 2)). The trains were extensively marketed by PassengerRailOk.org and members also worked directly with Amtrak ground crews to make the operation flawless and a resounding success.
2001: PassengerRailOk.org was unveiled in August of 2001 at our first informal meeting; the introduction of weekend Norman, Oklahoma Amtrak (Santa Fe) depot hosting service. At this opening, we began our primary mission, to serve the public interest as volunteer ambassadors for the city of Norman and Oklahoma's Heartland Flyer passenger rail service. Through this and other ongoing activities PassengerRailOk.org has generated strong public support for preservation of passenger rail in Oklahoma and expansion into Kansas. Most of all, we are a grass roots organization that acts on our belief that passenger rail is beneficial and necessary to a balanced national transportation network.
2000: Initial planning for PassengerRailOk.org began in December of 2000. At the time, Oklahoma passenger rail advocacy was in dire need of a modern, professional image. Educating the public about passenger rail service was seen as paramount; that of preserved and expanded regional passenger rail service.
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