NEWS RELEASE: Authority Board of Directors Takes Next Step to Buy Nation’s First 220 mph Trains

April 11, 2024

SACRAMENTO, Calif. –The California High-Speed Rail Authority’s (Authority) Board of Directors is moving the project closer toward bringing electrified high-speed rail service to California by approving the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) to industry for the nation’s first 220 mph electrified high-speed trains.

“Today’s board action continues our urgent march to put federal dollars to work, creating new industries and economic opportunity around high-speed rail. By the end of this year, we will know who will build California’s first high-speed trains, setting the course for better, more accessible rail travel in California.”

-Tom Richards, Authority Board Chair

The Authority will now solicit proposals from Alstom Transportation, Inc., and Siemens Mobility, Inc., the two prequalified shortlisted firms announced in January. The shortlist of these firms emerged from the Request for Qualifications approved by the Board in August of 2023.

With proposals due in the fall, the Authority hopes to award a contract by the end of the year.

The scope of work for the contract can be found here.

This procurement is possible in part due to the recent record federal grant awarded to the Authority in December which, included funding for new electric trains. In accordance with federal funding, trainset procurement will be Buy America compliant. Trainset design will be informed by formal feedback from hundreds of stakeholders.

The Authority’s work to date has created more than 13,000 construction jobs, mostly in the Central Valley.

The Authority has begun work to extend the 119 miles currently under construction to 171 miles of future electrified high-speed rail from Merced to Bakersfield. There are currently more than 25 active construction sites in the Valley, with the Authority having also fully environmentally cleared 422 miles of the high-speed rail program from the Bay Area to Los Angeles County. For the latest on high-speed rail construction, visit www.buildhsr.com.

The button below links to recent video, animations, photography, press center resources and latest renderings. Files are all available for free use, courtesy of the California High-Speed Rail Authority.

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