SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California is preparing to buy the first trainsets for its high speed rail system.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority Board of Directors last week approved a Request for Qualifications for the purchase of six trainsets for use on the initial 171-mile, Merced-to-Bakersfield section of the long-delayed LA-San Francisco high speed system.
“Our action today allows us to deliver on our commitment to meet our federal grant timelines to start testing,” said Board Chair Tom Richards in a press release following the Aug. 24 vote. “This is an important milestone for us to deliver high-speed rail service in the Central Valley and eventually into Northern and Southern California.”
The RFQ will invite Statements of Qualifications from interested manufacturers by November of this year. After that, the Authority will create a shortlist of qualified teams capable of delivering the equipment and release a Request for Proposal in the first quarter of 2024.
The contract will require manufacture of six trainsets capable of operating at 220 mph and tested at up to 242 mph. Two prototypes are to be delivered in 2028 for static and dynamic testing and trial runs, with an additional four trainsets delivered by 2030 for revenue service.
“These trainsets ensure that we are procuring the latest generation of high-speed trains for this first-in-the-nation project,” said Authority CEO Brian Kelly. “We look forward to working with members of the industry as we strive to develop a market for high-speed trains in the United States.”
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