INDOT, Amtrak Agree to Extend Hoosier State Contract
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Indiana Department of Transportation has announced an agreement with Amtrak to continue operating the Hoosier State Line through April 1. The previous extension was set to run out Saturday. The state says the additional time will allow the parties to continue long-term contract talks. A bill that would set aside $3 million annually for Amtrak to provide inter-city passenger rail service “on a rail route of less than 750 miles” has been referred to the Indiana House Ways and Means Committee. You can view HB 1217 by clicking here.
The state announced last June it had chosen Illinois-based Corridor Capital LLC as the “preferred vendor” for the Indianapolis to Chicago route.
In August, the state and the company announced an extension agreement. Then, October first, Amtrak announced it would continue to operate the line until January 31, prompting Corridor Capital Chief Executive Officer Jim Coston to say delays beyond the company's control led the state to go back to Amtrak.
In November, INDOT announced it was no longer in discussions with Corridor.
Later that month, Corridor issued a document to detail its side of the situation. You can read that by clicking here.
The Hoosier State ran out of federal funding in 2013 and the state as well as local municipalities along the route have been picking up the tab ever since.
Sources: Inside INdiana Business, The Indiana Department of Transportation, Corridor Capital LLC and The Indiana General Assembly
January 30, 2015
News Release
CHICAGO & INDIANAPOLIS – Amtrak will continue to operate the Hoosier State train between Indianapolis and Chicago under an Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) contract extension through April 1, 2015. A previous extension expires on Jan. 31.
The 60-day service agreement allows extra time to complete long-term contract negotiations for Amtrak to continue operating the Hoosier State with portions of the service being provided by INDOT contractors. INDOT is negotiating renewal of the service on behalf of the state, Beech Grove, Crawfordsville, Indianapolis, Lafayette, Rensselaer, Tippecanoe County and West Lafayette.
The four-days-weekly Hoosier State (Trains 850 & 851) — together with the three-days-weekly Amtrak Cardinal (Trains 50 & 51) — provides daily service between Indianapolis and Chicago and enables passengers to reach the national Amtrak network.
Tickets are available at Amtrak.com, 800-USA-RAIL and other sales channels, including Amtrak mobile apps. Adult fares range from $24 to $48 each way and are subject to discounts and Amtrak Guest Rewards points.
Source: The Indiana Department of Transportation