METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Biz Briefs: London Underground, PRT Mobile Ticketing, and More

Get the latest from London Underground, Nevomo, Pittsburgh Regional Transit, and Luminator Technology Group.

September 7, 2023
Biz Briefs: London Underground, PRT Mobile Ticketing, and More

London Underground, Nevomo, Pittsburgh Regional Transit, and Luminator Technology Group are the latest companies to be featured in METRO’s Biz Briefs.

Photo: METRO

3 min to read


London Underground, Nevomo, Pittsburgh Regional Transit, and Luminator Technology Group recently announced news from their respective companies.

SISCOG Equips London Underground with Expert System

SISCOG has supplied London Underground (LU) with an expert system to help schedule and optimize the work of its 5000 Customer Service (station staff).

Ad Loading...

The system developed, based on the proven CREWS product already being used for more than 3,500 train operators/drivers since 2008, was first put against a test trial of a Proof-of-Concept (PoC). 

The PoC convinced LU decision-makers by achieving savings while catering to staff work preferences.

Later, the full system also proved capable of expediting the planning and optimization time from 35 hours to 15 hours in one of the largest and complex station staff groups.

In addition to this double efficiency, LU scheduling experts are now autonomous to edit, manage, and test the station staff labor rules implemented in the system. Other requirements for the system were also met, such as a less error-prone and swifter User Experience, and integration with SAP systems.

Nevomo Successfully Tests Trains’ Ability to Levitate on Railway

Nevomo successfully performed tests that proved that railway vehicles could levitate on conventional railway lines. 

Ad Loading...

MagRail tests confirmed that railway vehicles can operate on existing railway infrastructure without any friction. 

During trials on a more than 720-meter-long section of Nevomo test track in Nowa Sarzyna, Poland, MagRail vehicles reached a speed of 183 mph demonstrating stable levitation and magnetic guidance on rail infrastructure

The six-meter-long vehicle weighing two tons began levitating at just over 43 mph, and it went from 0 to 62 mph in 11 seconds.

Ultimately, the high-speed passenger MagRail trains are expected to run up to 341 mph on railway lines.

PRT Deploys Mobile Ticketing and Validators

With the installation of mobile ticketing validators on rail cars complete, the fare payment option is now available throughout the Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s entire system.

Ad Loading...

Powered by Masabi, mobile ticketing is now available on PRT’s network of 700 buses, 80 rail cars, and both the Monongahela and Duquesne inclines.

“We are thrilled to finally launch mobile ticketing across our entire network,” said PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman. “Now, whether you ride the bus, rail, either incline or across different modes to get where you’re going, you’ll have access to the best our system has to offer.”

The latest installation was enabled through the use of the light-rail-certified Justride Validator, which conforms with NFPA 130, the National Standard for Fire Prevention for Fixed Guideway Transit and Passenger Rail Systems, a federal requirement for installation of equipment in rail vehicles. 

Luminator Launches New Software Suite

Luminator Technology Group announced the launch of its new software suite, Luminator Suite.

The new software suite allows information to be controlled through a single, web-based user interface. 

Ad Loading...

Users will now be able to manage their entire passenger information system in just one app. 

Other features include shortening the downtime of vehicles through configurations of destination messages, route numbers, and public information that can be transferred directly to the vehicle via Wi-Fi or cellular.

More Management

Railby StaffFebruary 2, 2026

Chicago Region Transit Ridership Grows in 2025

The region’s fixed-route system finished out the year with a total of 373.5 million rides. Adding 12.3 million rides over 2024 represents an increase that is equal to the annual transit ridership of Kansas City.

Read More →
New Mobilityby StaffJanuary 30, 2026

Chicago's Pace Expands VanGo Mobility Program

The service is a flexible, reservation-based transit service designed to close the first- and last-mile gaps and connect riders to employment for just $5 per day.

Read More →
A blue and white graphic with text reading "Foothill Gold Line: Design Contract Award & 2026 Board Leadership."
Managementby StaffJanuary 30, 2026

Foothill Gold Line Board Awards Claremont Extension Design Contract to Parsons, Maintains Board Leadership for 2026

Parsons wins the $60M Claremont Extension design contract as the Foothill Gold Line board reaffirms leadership during a pivotal project phase.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Technologyby StaffJanuary 29, 2026

Houston METRO Introduces RideMETRO Fare System

The upgraded system, which went live earlier this month, supports METRO’s METRONow vision to enhance the customer experience, improve service reliability, and strengthen long-term regional mobility.

Read More →
Managementby StaffJanuary 29, 2026

Valley Metro Sees Strong Ridership Growth in 2025

The agency ranked top five among mid-sized U.S. transit systems, defined as agencies with 15 million to 50 million annual trips.

Read More →
A b2x rewards logo and graphic reading "Read. Learn. Earn."
Managementby StaffJanuary 29, 2026

Bobit Business Media Launches B2X Rewards to Engage Transit Industry Professionals

The new program rewards B2B audience readers for engaging with trusted content and suppliers, earning them points toward events, travel, and more.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Busby StaffJanuary 29, 2026

Subway Customer Satisfaction Reaches Record High, New York MTA Says

The subway system saw increases across all key metrics, with 62% of subway riders reporting they feel satisfied with the system overall.

Read More →
Busby StaffJanuary 28, 2026

New Orleans RTA Reaches Agreement with ATU

The agreement provides competitive wages and reflects strong labor-management collaboration, positive working relationships, and a shared commitment to building a world-class transit system for the community, said RTA CEO Lona Edwards Hankins.

Read More →
Managementby StaffJanuary 27, 2026

Keolis Retains Virginia Railway Express Contract

The new contract for Keolis and VRE will commence in July 2026, with the potential to expand to 15 years.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Busby StaffJanuary 27, 2026

California's OCTA Advances 2026 Initiatives Centered on Balance and Sustainability

The priorities are outlined in the 2026 Board and CEO Initiatives and Action Plan, which serves as a roadmap to guide the agency’s work throughout the year and ensure continued progress and accountability on voter-approved transportation investments and essential mobility services.

Read More →