Railroad passenger group endorses Wichita’s bid for Heartland Flyer grant

The National Association of Railroad Passengers has endorsed efforts to bring the Heartland Flyer through Wichita and save the Southwest Chief route through western Kansas.

In a June 20 letter to Ray LaHood, the U.S. transportation secretary, NARP president Ross Capon endorsed the $17 million Southwest Chief project grant, and also lent his support to the $12.9 million grant sought by the city of Wichita to do an environmental review and preliminary design work to extend the Heartland Flyer from Oklahoma City through Wichita to Newton.

The grants are being sought through the Transportation Investments Generating Economic Recovery, or TIGER, program.

This story was originally published June 24, 2013 at 10:37 AM with the headline "Railroad passenger group endorses Wichita’s bid for Heartland Flyer grant."