The Northern Flyer Alliance, Inc. (NFA) aims to reintroduce passenger rail service from Kansas City, Missouri to Fort Worth, Texas, supported by a coalition of various communities and organizations. Key accomplishments include the completion of feasibility studies, legislative advocacy resulting in significant bills passed, and ongoing efforts to secure federal funding through various studies and regional collaborations. The initiative promises substantial economic development benefits for the region, particularly for communities along the I-35 corridor, by improving connectivity and generating increased ridership.

1. INTRODUCTION
Northern Flyer Alliance, Inc. (NFA) is an advocate for the reintroduction of passenger rail service from Kansas
City, Missouri through Wichita, Kansas to Fort Worth, Texas. NFA is a coalition of 49 cities, six counties, and 19
Chambers of Commerce along the I-35 corridor that have joined together to promote passenger rail service in their
communities.
Northern Flyer Alliance, Inc. is the only Kansas-based organization supporting the reintroduction of passenger rail
service in Kansas.
Background & Organizational Accomplishments
The NFA has been in existence as an official non-profit organization since 2008. The effects of a multi-year
educational outreach effort in which twenty-four thousand people received face-to-face information and countless
others educated through the media has been significant. As a result, 90 resolutions have been passed by
governing bodies and civic organizations (including MARC and WAMPO) supporting the reintroduction of
passenger service along the I-35 corridor. Sixty-five of those resolutions from community governing bodies have
been sent to Governors and Secretaries of Transportation.
Prior to incorporation, the Northern Flyer Alliance, Inc. began advocating with the Kansas Department of
Transportation to complete a Feasibility Study; a required step for any passenger rail service expansion. The study
was complete in 2010 and provided an estimate of costs and ridership. In 2010, the Northern Flyer Alliance, Inc.
advocated for KDOT to apply for a Federal grant to complete a State Rail Plan as well as a Service Development
Plan for the Northern Flyer corridor. The Service Development Plan provided much more detail and a more defined
estimate of costs than the original Feasibility Study. Funding was granted and the study began in mid-summer
2010 and completed in the fall of 2011.
Through legislative advocacy, two bills were passed in 2010 by the Kansas Legislature by super majorities
(95%). Senate Bill 49 empowered KDOT to enter into contract agreements with Amtrak and other authorized
service providers. House Bill 2552 permitted Kansas to become a member of Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail
Commission which coordinates a regional plan and strategy for intercity passenger rail expansion.
Alternatives studied by the Service Development Plan
Alternative #1: Known as the Northern Flyer or the Heartland Flyer Extension, the extension from Oklahoma City
to Newton would directly connect the Heartland Flyer (see Figure 1) with the Southwest Chief, effectively closing
the 200 mile service gap (see Figure 1) that currently exists in the center of the country between Oklahoma City
and Newton. By closing this gap and connecting Chicago to Dallas/Fort Worth through Kansas City, ridership
estimates jump from 80,000 on the Heartland Flyer to over 200,000 annually.
Alternative #2: Known as the stand-alone daytime train from Kansas City to Dallas/Fort Worth, there would be
two train sets each leaving Kansas City and Dallas/Fort Worth at 7am, arriving at the opposite destination by 7pm.
All stops would be during daylight hours, enhancing economic development opportunities significantly. Ridership
estimates for this segment of the proposed build-out would be 270,000 annually.
Combination of 1 & 2: This proposal represents the highest potential economic impact to Kansas City and to the
states of Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. Ridership is estimated at a minimum of 370,000 passengers per
year.
 2012 Northern Flyer Alliance, Inc. All Rights Reserved September 24, 2012

2. Regional Activity
Interim Study Committee:
The 2012 legislative efforts of the NFA, including testimony to the Kansas House and Senate Transportation
Committees as well as a Symposium held April 6, 2012 at KC’s Union Station culminated in the approval of an
Interim Study Committee on passenger rail by the Kansas Legislative Coordinating Council. Wichita and Western
Kansas have committed to sending business and civic leaders to testify in Topeka on why passenger rail is vital to
the economic growth and vitality of the state’s primary gross domestic product generators: agriculture,
manufacturing and its metropolitan areas. The Interim Study Committee Meeting on Passenger Rail will be held at
10am, October 29, 2012 in room 548-S at the Statehouse in Topeka.
Wichita:
With the help of Vectura Consulting, LLC**, Wichita has become actively engaged in the effort to restore passenger
rail service to Downtown Wichita. The City is regularly communicating with Amtrak and BNSF and is holding
periodic conference calls with the Southwest Chief Coalition (explained below) in an effort to create state-wide
support for passenger rail expansion (Northern Flyer) and maintenance (Southwest Chief). The City has also
created a Steering Committee of business and civic leaders from South Central Kansas to spearhead the initiative.
Western Kansas has been asked to participate in the new committee.
Western Kansas, Southeast Colorado and Northwest New Mexico:
This region, represented by the community stops along the Southwest Chief Corridor, has organized and is now
known as the Southwest Chief Coalition. Communities such as Newton, Hutchinson, Dodge City, Garden City, La
Junta and Trinidad have each paid amounts ranging from $15,000 to $20,000 to retain the services of Bob Dole’s
law firm, Alston & Bird in Washington DC. Alston & Bird has been charged with helping the Coalition find federal
money to upgrade the tracks of the Southwest Chief, scheduled for rerouting or perhaps even elimination after the
existing Amtrak/BNSF contract ends in 2016.
Next Steps for the Region
NEPA Study:
In order to qualify for federal funding for capital investment (once it is available) the corridor from Kansas City to
Dallas/Fort Worth will need an environmental impact study. This is the final study needed in a long sequence of
studies the FRA (Federal Railroad Administration) requires prior to capital investment and the reinstatement of
service. Given the multi-state nature of the corridor, KDOT must partner with ODOT to complete this study.
Depending on the Alternatives chosen, KDOT may need to partner with MODOT and TXDOT as well. Current
advocacy efforts by the City of Wichita are underway in Oklahoma to encourage such a partnership. More
advocacy is needed.
State Funding Match:
Federal capital investment for passenger rail comes with a lengthy list of requirements, including a state funding
match. Federal capital programs such as HSIPR, PRIIA and TIGER require a state investment of around 20% -50%
of the total cost. Before any capital grant is awarded, the FRA has shown by example in neighboring states that
state funding must be secured. This could include, but not be limited to the introduction of legislation in 2013.
Expansion of Support:
Look to successful states for the path to achieve economic development through passenger rail expansion. The
States of Illinois and Michigan have a well-developed network that includes municipal government, business
leaders, grass roots organizations, university and chamber of commerce coalitions, as well as organized legislative
and gubernatorial support.
 2012 Northern Flyer Alliance, Inc. All Rights Reserved September 24, 2012

3. Group of States Application/Effort:
A regional effort is preferred. Regional grant requests receive priority over individual state applications. A Group
of States Application between Kansas and Oklahoma is necessary for Alternative #1 while a Group of States
Application between Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas would likely be necessary for Alternative #2 or a
Combination of #1 & 2.
Currently, Oklahoma and Texas understand the need for regional effort and are collaborating on and received a
federal grant for, a high speed rail study from Oklahoma City to San Antonio. This study is currently underway.
Missouri and Kansas must play catch up to achieve the organized success of neighboring states.
LOCAL OPPORTUNITY
Benefits to Kansas City
The societal and economic benefits of passenger rail service to the city will be significant. Hints of the economic
impact were highlighted by two different studies completed in 2009 by KU and in 2010 by Texas Transportation
Institute. The studies found passenger rail service would have and currently has a positive return on investment:
4.6 to 1 found in a hypothetical study of the corridor from Kansas City to Oklahoma City completed by KU, and 4.5
to 1 found by Texas Transportation Institute in a study of the existing Heartland Flyer route from Oklahoma City to
Fort Worth.
These studies show that when passenger rail service is reintroduced, communities along the corridor, including the
metropolitan Kansas City area, will have an opportunity for economic development, job growth, business and agri-
business productivity gains, tourism, and overall development of quality of life as a result of the new passenger rail
service.
Serving a regional population base of 14 million people, more than already planned, rail travel to Kansas
City’s Union Station from population centers further south would be a catalyst turning Kansas City’s Union Station
into a hub for intermodal connection; including but not limited to connectivity to KCI for destination travel and all
points within Downtown through planned streetcar service. Just as anticipated in Wichita, increased passenger
load at Kansas City’s airport would be fueled by a direct connection for rail travelers.
What’s Next for Kansas City
Why Kansas City should be involved:
The KC metro area is large and dynamic and therefore should not be left out of the conversation. Unfortunately,
(and for whatever reason) that has been the case on this issue. The possible elimination of the Southwest Chief
should be reason enough for Kansas City to become a partner in this transportation initiative, particularly since the
ridership lost in such an event represents an economic blow to Downtown Kansas City. Equally important is the
economic development potential represented by the expansion of service to Dallas/Fort Worth with the Northern
Flyer.
The economies of the states of Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas are so interconnected, that directly
connecting Kansas City to the region’s largest and fastest growing metropolitan area (Dallas/Fort Worth) just
makes sense.
What does Kansas City need to do to become involved?
A good first step would be for key city leaders to learn of the benefits of involvement, as well as the economic risks
associated with a lack thereof. After that, there is a significant case to be made for finding several business leaders
willing to be champions of the effort.
 2012 Northern Flyer Alliance, Inc. All Rights Reserved September 24, 2012

4. Creating Critical Mass in Kansas City:
The nature of the initiative is complex. A well-known and respected local champion has the potential to generate
local support. Even yet, Wichita found it necessary to engage a consultant in order to attain the critical mass
necessary for public and business sector support. If interested in exploring that possibility, please call Deborah
Fischer Stout at 913-787-5732 for more information.
Figure 1: Amtrak Service Gap
Service Gap
Southwest Chief
Heartland Flyer
** The Northern Flyer Alliance, Inc. is a separate and distinct organization and not affiliated with Vectura
Consulting, LLC.
 2012 Northern Flyer Alliance, Inc. All Rights Reserved September 24, 2012