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Lead Contender Identified For Hoosier State Line

Steven Vance
/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesbondsv/

A leading contender has emerged to replace Amtrak in operation of the Hoosier State passenger rail line, which runs between Chicago and Indianapolis. 

The state and local communities will now try to reach an agreement with Corridor Capital.

Federal funding for the Hoosier State Line ran out last year and the state, along with local communities along the line that include Lafayette, Indianapolis and Rensselaer, stepped in to subsidize it for a year. 

The state also began seeking proposals to improve the line and make it less costly to taxpayers. 

It received four bids from private contractors, along with a proposal from Amtrak. 

Corridor Capital, a passenger rail development company based in Chicago, was chosen as the preferred vendor. 

The state and local communities that fund the line are now in discussions with the private firm, working on a contract that can be circulated for public approval. 

In a statement, Corridor Capital says it’s aiming to take over operations in October, when the state and local funding agreement expires. 

Brandon Smith is excited to be working for public radio in Indiana. He has previously worked in public radio as a reporter and anchor in mid-Missouri for KBIA Radio out of Columbia. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, Illinois as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, Missouri, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.