Capital Area Transit approached for possible P3

(Harrisburg) — Capital Area Transit needs a new place to house its buses. But in the face of funding issues, it would be difficult for the public transit agency to pay for an upgrade on its own.

Spokesman Bob Philbin points out that CAT’s existing home, along Cameron Street in Harrisburg, was constructed for horse-drawn trolley cars in 1904.

“It’s just not fit for the modern buses that we have today,” Philbin says. “They’re ten feet longer than the trolley and buses don’t configure well, in the structure, the way it’s designed.”

Pennsylvania’s new public-private partnership law may help CAT build a new maintenance facility. Philbin says the P3 law — written to encourage private investment in public transportation projects — has enabled a company to approach the agency with a plan.

The Fine Line Group would help with site selection and design. It would then finance, build and maintain the new structure, which would be leased back to CAT.

The company will submit the unsolicited proposal to a state P3 board for review, but Philbin says CAT is under no commitment to proceed.