The California High-Speed Rail Authority’s (Authority) board 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.

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.

High-Speed Rail Procurement

The 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.

Impact of California’s High-Speed Rail Line

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.