A new study gives momentum to an effort to create passenger rail service.  The proposed route extends from Kansas City through Oklahoma City to Fort Worth.  KSBI Thunder TV's Kealey McIntire reports.

"This had never been shown before.  This study does prove that there is economic benefit available," says Evan Stair, Vice President Oklahoma, Northern Flyer Alliance.

The study examined the benefits high- speed rail service would have on the communities with stops.  The University of Kansas School of Business says for every dollar invested, communities would collect $3.60.

"Amtrack is beneficial, and therefore is a worthwhile entity, a stimulus if you will, to our economies," says Stair.

The study also suggests the train would pay for itself after one year of operation.

The Northern Flyer Alliance will now plea their case to legislators in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas in hopes of rallying more support and funding for the ongoing effort.

ODOT has agreed to pay half the cost for a study on rail service that extends from Oklahoma into Kansas.  ODOT has also applied for $2 billion in federal funding for high-speed service extending from Tulsa into Texas.