You might not know it from the drumbeat of negative press from conservative news outlets, but California High-Speed Rail is still making major progress on multiple fronts. This week’s two-day board meeting has two milestone votes on the agenda. On Wednesday, the board in expected to approve a contract for the purchase of trains. On Thursday, the board will vote on approving the environmental documents for a future extension from Los Angeles to Anaheim.
Siemens poised to win long-awaited train contract
The Authority’s Board of Directors is scheduled to consider awarding a contract to Siemens Mobility for high-speed trainsets on Wednesday. If you’d like to read the staff report, it’s Agenda Item #4 on October 28 agenda.
Siemens Mobility has been selected to build three Pioneer 220 high-speed trainsets for California’s Merced-to-Bakersfield route, under a $772.1 million base contract with the California High-Speed Rail Authority. The agreement also includes options to purchase more than 19 additional trainsets and long-term maintenance services.
Under the proposed contract, the first California High-Speed Rail trains are expected to arrive in late 2029, with testing scheduled to begin in spring 2030. The schedule is intended to support passenger service on the Merced-to-Bakersfield initial operating section in 2033–34…