the new route name was announced in january 2009 as part of the "name the train" contest held by the missouri department of transportation. the winning name was submitted by keith kohler of glendale, missouri; it reflects the fact that the route largely parallels the missouri river. the other finalists were "missouri rail blazer, showmemo, truman service" and "river cities corridor." the service is financed primarily through funds made available by the missouri department of transportation.