DRPA Approves $149 Million PATCO Overhaul

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Delaware River Port Authority approved what is, at this point, its largest capital project ever, a $194 million plan to overhaul its entire PATCO high speed line fleet of 120 cars.

The award went to Alstom Transportation out of New York state, although the other bidder, Bombardier out of Camp Hill, Pa, tried to convince Commissioners to put off a decision and ask for best and final offers after two rounds of bidding.

"We held back in anticipation of a BAFO. By foregoing a BAFO, The DRPA will lose out on the ability to save millions of dollars, regardless of the winning firm," said John Andreas, Bombardier Sales Director.

PATCO managers disagreed, insisting the second round widened the gap between the two firms and a new round would delay the process by as much as two years.

The project will basically put new engines, new floors, new seats and more inside existing car shells and will be complete in five years time. It'll be paid for by 69 million dollars in federal money, paired with part of the toll and fare hikes set to take effect in July.

Reported by: David Madden, KYW Newsradio