The train will keep rolling out of Fort Worth: The Texas Transportation Commission approved of a $3.5 million funding to keep the Heartland Flyer rolling.

The Heartland Flyer is an Amtrak daily passenger train that follows a 206-mile route between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth. It has been rolling since 1999, but was going to be shut down in October, because funding requested by the Texas Department of Transportation was not included in the Texas budget.

The route is jointly funded by TxDOT and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.

In July, the Regional Transportation Council, part of the North Central Texas Council of Governments, which oversees regional transportation planning in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, committed the $3.5 million to make sure the train would continue to operate for the next year.

In a statement, the North Central Texas Council of Governments Director of Transportation Michael Morris said that they were grateful to the Texas Transportation Commission for approving use of Regional Revenue funding.

“This interim funding will help secure the future of the Heartland Flyer, which serves as a vital link for both commuters and leisure travelers between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City," Morris said. "We extend our thanks to Amtrak, the Texas Department of Transportation, the Texas Transportation Commission and all partners involved in making this historic action happen. We look forward to working with them to build a strong future for passenger rail.”

Amtrak executive VP Jennifer Mitchell also expressed gratitude on behalf of the Amtrak customers who count on daily Heartland Flyertrains, whose numbers have climbed, showing there is a need for the service.

"We will work with the Commission, TxDOT, NCTCOG and other interested parties in Texas for a longer-term state funding solution," Mitchell said. "More than 80,000 passengers rode this service last year, up by 11-percent from the previous 12 months, on trains that are an economic benefit to both Texas and Oklahoma."

The funding is also important what with the FIFA World Cup coming up in 2026.

“We are also happy to announce continued Heartland Flyerservice in time for our tradition of welcoming guests to ride Amtrak to and from the annual Red River rivalry game between the UT Longhorns and OU Sooners on Oct. 11 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas,” Mitchell said.

This is the second time in recent months the RTC has stepped in with funding to keep the Heartland Flyer operating. In January, the RTC approved up to $100,000 in Regional Revenue funding to cover a potential shortfall through the end of the fiscal year.