Marketing and Management of the Columbia Terminal Railroad (COLT)

The City of Columbia is requesting Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from qualified businesses for the potential marketing and/or management of the City-owned Columbia Terminal Railroad (COLT). The City seeks to partner with an experienced operator or firm to improve efficiency, increase carload traffic, ensure long-term sustainability, and strengthen freight viability. Responsibilities may include day-to-day railroad operations, marketing and business development, customer service, accounting, infrastructure inspection and maintenance, regulatory compliance, and transload marketing and operational support. The COLT railroad spans approximately 21.4 miles and is maintained as an FRA Class II railroad. It currently has two locomotives in running condition. Traffic history shows fluctuations, with approximately 1,047 cars handled in the most recent fiscal year. The COLT Transload Facility, located at 6501 North Brown Station Road, also supports transloading operations with a warehouse facility and rail spurs. Respondents are encouraged to propose alternative partnership structures such as fixed fee, revenue sharing, or hybrid agreements. The City emphasizes the importance of integrating current COLT employees into any proposed structure, as they are considered critical to ongoing operations and customer relationships.