Sound Transit Advisory

42.7 million passengers, averaging 143,000 riders a week

US$54 billion Sound Transit 3 plan approved by voters in 2016

Key advisor on Capital Delivery Plan

Challenges

Sound Transit needed help to evaluate the appropriateness of using the public-private partnership (P3) model to deliver new transit services.
Sound Transit is mandated to extend existing lines across its comprehensive range of transit services, including local bus, light rail transit, and regional train.
The first step was to establish a framework for evaluating and potentially implementing a P3 for selected Sound Transit capital projects.
Following this, determine how to oversee and assist in executing selected P3 projects to accelerate project delivery, reduce capital costs, minimize life-cycle costs, transfer risk, and optimize project outcomes.

Solutions

Advise Sound Transit's senior leadership about the legal, technical, service, and financial considerations of extending existing light rail lines using various P3 delivery models.
Analyze and develop the conditions, incentives, and delivery models under which an extension would work and outline a phasing plan to maximize the success of the transition.
Assist Sound Transit staff in defining transit delivery objectives and structuring procurement documents so that future rail RFPs measure and quantify risk and deliver infrastructure to expectations.
Identify the value of maintenance and operating components in P3 contracts independent of the building and finance components to refine the future pipeline of projects to pursue.

Highlights

Insights into optimal project and transaction governance
Understanding the legal and regulatory environment for P3 transactions
Value-for-money modelling and implications
Integrated land use and transportation planning
Balancing the needs of private and public stakeholders across the project region
Comprehensive business case analysis to evaluate strategic, financial, and deliverability considerations
Advise Sound Transit staff on private market engagement and ongoing relationship management

Project numbers

Sound Transit services carried a total of 42.7 million passengers in 2016
An average of 143,000 riders on weekdays in 2016
The new network would include 62 miles (100 km) of additional light rail
37 new stations
The entire, 116-mile (187 km) light-rail system would carry an estimated 600,000 daily passengers