Amtrak, Indiana reach another extension for passenger line

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) – Amtrak and Indiana officials are giving themselves another 60 days to reach long-term deals with a private contractor that will help operate a passenger line between Indianapolis and Chicago.

Amtrak and the Indiana Department of Transportation announced Thursday they’ve extended their operations agreement for the Hoosier State line for a fourth time, through June 30.

INDOT spokesman Will Wingfield tells the Journal & Courier the parties are hoping to reach long-term agreements for Amtrak employees to operate rail cars provided by private contractor Iowa Pacific Holdings.

Indiana and communities served by the Hoosier State have paid Amtrak about $3 million since October 2013 to run the 196-mile route while the state pursued a new operating model.

State lawmakers allocated funding for the line in their session that ended Wednesday.