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.