At their meeting tonight, the Derby City Council will discuss adopting a resolution in support of the expansion of passenger rail service that would ultimately bring into consideration an Amtrak stop in Mulvane.

The Northern Flyer Alliance is bringing people together from Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas who are interested in expanding passenger rail service from the Kansas City area to Dallas/Fort Worth.

The proposed Heartland Flyer route would connect Oklahoma City to Newton to meet up with the Southwestern Chief train, which runs a daily east-west route through Newton from Chicago to Los Angeles. Currently, the Hearland Flyer operates daily between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City.

The proposed expansion would link the two lines together. Across the state of Kansas, 22 municipalities have shown support for the initiative, according to Derby City Manager Kathy Sexton.

“Expansion of public transportation options is good for the economy and the environment,” Sexton said. “Passenger rail service provides an affordable option to commercial air service and to driving an automobile for business and lesiure travel.”

In addition, some Oklahoma communities have shown support. The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) and Amtrak are working on a feasibility study of the project. The Northern Flyer Alliance informed the city of Derby that consideration is being given to a stop along the train route in Mulvane, in addition to the stops in Arkansas City and Wichita, as depicted on the map (see above).

The proposed 606-mile route would cost about $13 million annually to maintain with an initial start-up cost of $10 million.

“At this time, there is no financial commitment anticipated by the city of Derby,” Sexton said.

In December 2007, the federal government approved a 50-50 grant program for passenger rail service, and another bill is in committee that would increase federal funding to 80 percent with 20 percent private funding.

According to Sexton, the stipulation with the new funding program being considered is that the participating states have comprehensive passenger rail plans.

Sexton will recommend to members of the Derby City Council that they adopt the resolution supporting the extension of Amtrak service between Oklahoma City and Kansas City.

The council will also:

• Discuss an ordinance allowing Sunday sales of packaged liquor;

• Receive bids for an approximately $1 million 2008 pavement rehabiliation program for the city streets of Derby;

• Discuss an ordinance regulating demonstrations at or near funeral sites;

• Look at the final plat of The Oaks third addition;

• Approve appointments to the city’s trash/recycling committee; and

• Adopt a revised personnel manual for city employees.

The council meets tonight at 7 p.m. at Derby City Hall. A meeting of the El Paso Water Company will follow the city council meeting.