Advancing transit facility electrification through public–private partnerships: lessons and frameworks for US agencies

Purpose This study aims to examine how public–private partnership (PPP) models can support the electrification of US transit bus facilities, addressing the gap between growing policy-driven electrification mandates and the limited institutional, financial, and technical capacity of transit agencies to deliver supporting infrastructure. Design/methodology/approach The study uses mixed qualitative and document-based methods, including policy and procurement analysis, semi-structured stakeholder interviews, and case studies of three PPP-enabled BEB facility projects in the USA. Thematic analysis and cross-case comparison were applied to synthesize findings and develop the framework. Findings Results reveal that PPPs can accelerate infrastructure delivery, spread risks, and attract private financing. However, success requires regulatory support, early stakeholder coordination, and thoughtful risk allocation. Key enablers include private capital access, innovative contracts, and performance-based incentives. Barriers include policy ambiguity, capacity gaps, and public–private goal misalignment. The proposed framework presents six key factors – financing needs, delivery speed, utility coordination, technology ownership, operations and maintenance capacity, and industry partner opportunities – for evaluating PPP suitability. Originality/value The study contributes a structured, empirically grounded decision-making framework that integrates policy, procurement, and project-level insights to support transit agencies in assessing the suitability of PPP approaches for facility electrification.