The Missouri legislative session wrapped on May 13 with a boost to Amtrak service. The State of Missouri and Amtrak will restore the second of two daily round-trip trains on the Amtrak MidwestSM Missouri River Runner line between the Amtrak stations in Kansas City and St. Louis starting July 1. MODOT’s initial budget request was for $10,850,000 to fund daily service which would have only covered 1 trip a day. The appropriated amount is $13,250,000 to cover the additional service.
An Economic Impact Study of the Missouri River Runner found the service generates more than $200 million in annual economic impact in Missouri. It also supports more than 1,250 jobs in communities at the stops across the state: Kirkwood, Washington, Hermann, Jefferson City, Sedalia, Warrensburg, Lees Summit and Independence, in addition to Kansas City Union Station and St. Louis Gateway Station.
Missouri sponsors the Amtrak Missouri River Runner intercity passenger service between St. Louis and Kansas City, with access to national Amtrak routes at both terminals and services sponsored by Illinois between St. Louis and Chicago.
Tickets can be purchased on Amtrak.com, Amtrak’s mobile apps, by calling 800-USA-RAIL or by visiting the staffed ticket windows at the Amtrak stations in St. Louis and Kansas City.