The California High-Speed Rail Authority has taken the first official step to find a train operator for the initial operating segment of the 800-mile project: connecting the Central Valley to the Silicon Valley, with estimated completion by 2024.
As posted Dec. 15, the California High-Speed Rail Authority approved the first outlay from the $9.95 billion of 2008 general obligation bond funds to pay for rail construction in the Central Valley and help fund Caltrain commuter rail electrification. [See December construction update (PDF).]
At that same meeting, the Authority "authoriz(ed) the issuance of a 'request for qualifications' from potential train-operating companies to guide the planning and earliest stages of operations for the bullet train system between the San Joaquin and Silicon valleys," reported Tim Sheehan of The Fresno Bee on Dec. 13. The RFQ was issued on Dec. 16.
"Engaging the early train operator at this time will help us shape our future procurements and provide important guidance as we continue progress on the nation’s first high-speed rail program," said Authority CEO Jeff Morales in a Dec. 16 press release. "The feedback we have received from the private sector demonstrates that this is the best way to approach the program in a timely and efficient manner."
Today’s action was the first part of a two-part procurement process, with a Request for Proposals to be released to qualified offerors in spring 2017 with the goal of having the Early Train Operator on board this summer.
With more than 119 miles of active construction in the Central Valley, construction of a high-speed rail line between the Silicon Valley and Central Valley is planned to be complete by 2024, with passenger service beginning in 2025.
"Meanwhile, CHSRA late last week issued its first sustainability report [PDF], which describes the agency's approach to design, construction and operations of the state's planned high-speed rail system," reports Progressive Railroading.
Hat tip to Jim Mathews, President and CEO, National Association of Railroad Passengers, for including this development in the NARP Hotline.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Earlier on Planetizen:
FULL STORY: High-Speed Rail Authority Moves Towards Securing Early Train Operator [PDF]
Legislature Raises Questions on Draft 2016 California High-Speed Rail Business Plan
Uncertainty as to whether cap-and-trade funding would continue past 2020 and opposition to the initial operating segment leaving out the city of Merced were two issues that arose during a Assembly Transportation Committee hearing of the plan.
Gov. Gavin Newsom to Dramatically Downsize High-Speed Rail Project
The San Francisco-to-Los Angeles bullet train may have to be renamed the Central Valley High-Speed Train according to the announcement by the new governor in his first state-of-the-state address.
Costs Jump on Central Valley Section of California High-Speed Rail
Costs for the initial construction segment, 119 miles from Madera to just outside Bakersfield, jumped $2.8 billion in what the consultant called the "worst-case scenario," to $10.6 billion, or over $89 million per mile.
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service