More Tuesday morning rail news:
— Related Companies, the real estate firm which led the building of the first part of Manhattan’s Hudson Yards development, has signed an agreement with Amtrak to pursue a low-cost federal loan for the second part of the West Side project. Politico reports Related and Amtrak would apply for more than $1 billion in federal Transportation Department debt; Amtrak’s participation is necessary because the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing Program requires rail involvement.
— The Georgia House of Representatives has passed a bill which would create a permanent place in the state budget for freight rail projects. House Bill 820, sponsored by transportation committee chairman Kevin Tanner (R-Dawsonville, Ga.) passed 162-1, the Marietta Daily Journal reports. The bill would not guarantee state funding, Tanner told the newspaper, but would encourage state investment in rail infrastructure.
— The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has made a formal Request for Proposals to develop and purchase up to 949 new subway cars, the agency announced Monday. The agency plans a base order for 504 new R262 cars for its numbered lines, with an option for 415 more. The Request for Proposals had originally been expected in March [see “New York subway to return sidelined Bombardier cars to service,” Trains News Wire, Jan. 22, 2020].
Amtrak is requesting funds to aid a real estate development? While we try to eat inedible food in what used to be dining cars?