Oxford came one step closer this week to building a railroad and bus transit center that would expedite both long-distance and local travel to and from the city.

Assistant City Manager Jessica Greene met with representatives from the Butler County Regional Transit Authority (BCRTA) and Miami University on design proposals for the project. “We finalized our draft RFP (Request for Proposal)… and the goal is to put that RFP out in early September,” Greene said. 

The RFP will move along the process for the BCRTA to request estimates from possible construction companies who want to build the station.  

“This information will allow us to have a better idea of what the platform itself will cost and will put us in position to apply for a future grant from the Federal Rail Administration,” Greene said.

“Our goal is be bringing forward a proposal for a contractor in November, if we get some good proposals back.” 

Amtrak is ready to move forward with extending passenger service through Oxford on its Cincinnati to Chicago route, once Oxford and BCRTA build the platform. The transit hub, in the planning stages for several years, is to be located on Chestnut Street, near the site of the old Talawanda High School.