Pennsylvania's Public-Private Partnership Board on Sept. 29 approved a project seeking a private partner to develop clean-burning compressed natural gas fueling stations at public transit agencies statewide that would also include public access to the facilities.
According to state transportation Commissioner and P3 board Chairman Barry Schoch, the private partner would design, build, finance, operate and maintain CNG filling stations at up to 37 transit facilities. Each fueling site must provide access to CNG for public transit and other CNG vehicles alike.
In addition, PennDOT will enter into a CNG supply contract with the selected partner as well as purchase agreements with each of the transit agencies. PennDOT would receive a portion of the fuel sales revenue, with the money being returned to transit agencies to assist with future capital projects.
To kick off the project, PennDOT will release a request for qualifications to solicit interested parties and expects to invite qualified teams to submit proposals early next year. A project team could be selected in summer 2015.
In September 2012, Gov. Tom Corbett signed into law the Public and Private Partnerships for Transportation Act, which authorized P3 projects in Pennsylvania.
