DALLAS — The idea of a bullet train from Houston to Dallas has gained some momentum since last year. After being stalled since last year, Amtrak is searching for a “delivery partner” to move along the high-speed railway between the two cities.

What You Need To Know

  • The high-speed train is expected to be a 240-mile route that would get passengers between Houston and Dallas in 90 minutes

  • This bullet train project has been in the works for years since Texas Central Railway originally oversaw the project before Amtrak then took over

  • The most recent movement on the project was Amtrak receiving $63.9 million in funding from the Federal Railroad Administration in September

In a statement last week, Amtrak issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) which invites prospective companies, joint ventures, contractors and subcontractors to submit their qualifications to Amtrak. This “two-step process” will allow Amtrak to whittle down a list of prospects and procure the most qualified applicant.

“The Delivery Partner will be responsible for facilitating Amtrak’s delivery of the Project and will become a fully integrated and accountable member of the Project team,” Amtrak said in a notice. 

“In addition, although Delivery Partner will not design or construct the Project, the Delivery Partner will be a source of sound professional design and construction expertise and judgement to Amtrak,” the Amtrak notice said. 

The high-speed train is expected to be a 240-mile route that would get passengers between Houston and Dallas in 90 minutes.

This bullet train project has been in the works for years since Texas Central Railway originally oversaw the project before Amtrak then took over.

The most recent movement on the project was Amtrak receiving $63.9 million in funding from the Federal Railroad Administration in September.