All Aboard the New Mardi Gras Service: A Celebration with a Message from Kansas

This week, Amtrak launched its brand-new Mardi Gras Service, and the excitement was nothing short of electric. Hundreds of people turned out to welcome the inaugural run, lining up with cameras, smiles, and anticipation. The fanfare wasn’t just for the train itself—it was for what the train represents.

People boarding new Mardi Gras Train

Communities know the economic benefits of passenger rail. Trains don’t just connect people from Point A to Point B. They connect economies, create jobs, boost tourism, and generate new opportunities for the towns and cities along their routes. The Mardi Gras Service is the latest proof that investment in passenger rail pays off.

But while Louisiana and the Gulf Coast celebrate, there’s a question echoing across the Great Plains: What about Kansas?

Kansas has been working for nearly 20 years to restore passenger rail service from the Wichita Metro to Fort Worth via the Heartland Flyer Extension, a project that would reconnect Wichita, Ark City and Newton with Oklahoma City, Fort Worth, and beyond. The Kansas Department of Transportation submitted its Service Development Plan to the Federal Railroad Administration nearly nine months ago. Since then, silence.

Mardi Gras Service: 20-year overnight Success!

It’s time for the FRA to act. Kansas deserves a train, too. With a completed plan, strong community support, and clear economic benefits on the table, there’s no reason for further delay. The Mardi Gras Service shows what’s possible when Amtrak expands thoughtfully and boldly—Kansas should be next in line.

For decades, the people of Kansas have been waiting, working, and advocating for the return of passenger rail. It’s not just about transportation—it’s about equity, opportunity, and economic growth. The Heartland Flyer Extension is ready. The only missing piece is timely federal approval.

The FRA has the chance to move this forward. Kansas has waited long enough.

Our work depends on people like you. With your support, we can keep pushing forward and ensure that The Heartland Flyer and its Extension expand north to Kansas to meet the needs of the next generation. Please consider a donation:

Donate to the Northern Flyer Alliance, Inc.

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