The California High-Speed Rail Authority has approved the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) to procure its electrified high-speed trains.
These units will be the first trains in the US to operate at speeds of up to 220 miles per hour.
The Authority will now request proposals from Alstom and Siemens Mobility, who were selected as the two prequalified shortlisters following a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) in 2023.
The proposals will be due this autumn, and the Authority plans to award the contract by the end of the year.
This procurement is facilitated by a 3.1 billion USD federal investment in the project, which included funding for the new electric trains. In accordance with the federal funding, the trainset procurement will be Buy America compliant.
“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.”
Specifically, the contract will deliver six electric high-speed trainsets. This will include two prototype trainsets to support testing and trial-running and four trains to provide passenger service on the 171-mile section from Merced to Bakersfield.
The most recent renderings for the interior design of the new trains can be viewed here.
