METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Biz Briefs: Lochner Director Receives Big Honor, TRC, and More

Get the latest from Lochner, The Routing Company, and Southern Teton Area Rapid Transit.

November 20, 2023
Biz Briefs: Lochner Director Receives Big Honor, TRC, and More

Lochner, The Routing Company, and Southern Teton Area Rapid Transit are the latest companies to be featured in METRO’s Biz Briefs.

Photo: METRO

3 min to read


Lochner, The Routing Company, and Southern Teton Area Rapid Transit recently announced news from their respective companies.

Lochner Director Enters Hall of Honor, Company Acquires Triunity, Inc.  

Gary Thomas, the former president and executive director of Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and current Transit & Rail Market Director at Lochner, was inducted into the Texas Transportation Hall of Honor on Oct. 16.

Ad Loading...

This honor, established by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of transportation in Texas through their dedication, vision, and leadership.

Thomas joins the ranks of other Hall of Honor recipients including Dwight D. Eisenhower, Lady Bird Johnson, and 48 other leaders who have improved the lives of Texans and set an example for the entire industry.

Lochner also announced it is expanding its professional talent and service offering in the Transit & Rail and Municipal Services markets with the acquisition of Triunity, Inc.  

Founded in 2003 by brothers Jonnie Thomas and Marvin Thomas, Triunity delivers program/project management and controls, construction management, and specialized communication systems/electrical engineering services for transit and rail agencies, as well as road and highway, aviation, water and wastewater, and municipal clients throughout the U.S. 

The company is headquartered in Denver, with additional offices in Los Angeles, Calif.; Seattle, Wash.; and Boston, Mass.

Ad Loading...

TRC Signs First Partnership in New York State

The Routing Company (TRC) announced it has received a contract from Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) to provide on-demand transportation in Albany, New York. 

CDTA is a regional mobility provider, providing mobility solutions that connect the region’s communities. It oversees the provision of multimodal public transportation in the Capital District of New York State and supports more than 10 million passengers each year. 

The new deployment is anticipated to commence in early 2024 and is expected to initiate transit service between downtown Albany and the Joseph L. Bruno Rail Station (formerly the Rensselaer Rail Station).

START Launches Mobile Ticketing System

Southern Teton Area Rapid Transit (START) announced the launch of a contactless mobile ticketing solution powered by Masabi.

The next-generation mobile ticketing system uses Masabi’s platform to enable riders to purchase tickets for START services through the Transit app. START serves more than 800,000 riders a year, serving both residents and visitors.

Ad Loading...

Masabi has also installed validation units running its Justride Inspect software on START buses, meaning passengers can scan their phone when boarding, validating their pass in the Transit app. 

The agency’s new “Plan. Pay. Ride.” ticketing process will help to speed up boarding times, making services more efficient for riders, while providing START with data insights enabling improved services in the future.

In the future, Masabi will provide START smart cards and deploy a next-generation Account-Based Ticketing system across the entire START network, powered by the Justride platform. 

Passengers will no longer need to select fares or purchase tickets before boarding and instead tap their mobile devices or smart cards to travel.

More Management

A MARTA employee using the new Better Breeze fare ticket machines.
Managementby StaffMarch 17, 2026

MARTA’s New “Better Breeze” Fare System Nears Launch

The new system introduces tap-to-pay, touchscreen kiosks, and updated Breeze cards, with both old and new systems running through May.

Read More →
A wide angle view of two MTA buses with three people walking between them.
Managementby StaffMarch 16, 2026

Proposed Auto Insurance Reform Would Save New York’s MTA Millions Annually

The governor’s proposed auto insurance reforms could save the agency $48 million annually by limiting payouts in crashes where buses are not primarily at fault.

Read More →
paratransit bus
SponsoredMarch 16, 2026

Measuring the True Cost of Paratransit Fleets

What truly drives the cost of a paratransit fleet? Beyond the purchase price, seven operational factors quietly determine maintenance frequency, downtime, and long-term service reliability. This whitepaper explores how these factors shape lifecycle cost and what agencies should evaluate when selecting paratransit vehicles.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Cover photo for METROspectives with The Bus Coalition
Busby Alex RomanMarch 13, 2026

Inside The Bus Coalition’s Push for Stronger Federal Transit Investment

In this conversation, TBC’s Executive Director Ed Redfern, President Corey Aldridge, and Washington Representative Joel Rubin outline the coalition’s key policy priorities, the challenges facing transit agencies, and how industry stakeholders can work together to strengthen the voice of bus transit at the federal level.

Read More →
Amanda Wanke
Managementby StaffMarch 13, 2026

Des Moines DART CEO Joins Minneapolis Metro Transit

Amanda Wanke, who has worked at DART for 10 years, including the past 2½ years as CEO, will join Metro Transit as deputy chief operating officer, operations administration.

Read More →
A black, white, and red SEPTA graphic with text reading "New routes to new places."
Managementby StaffMarch 12, 2026

SEPTA to Launch New Bus Network Redesign in August

The first comprehensive overhaul of SEPTA’s bus network will expand frequent service, add routes, and phase in changes through 2027.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A CDTA bus in Albany, New York
Managementby Staff and News ReportsMarch 12, 2026

CDTA Outlines Mobility Vision at 2026 State of the Authority Event

In his first State of CDTA address as CEO, Frank Annicaro highlighted the organization’s continued focus on delivering reliable service, investing in innovation, and strengthening connections across the region.

Read More →
An up close image of WMATA priority seating sticker reminders.
Managementby StaffMarch 11, 2026

WMATA Introduces Priority Seating Reminder Pilot for Metro Riders

The agency is testing floor decals on select railcars to improve awareness of priority seating and support a more accessible transit experience.

Read More →
Cover photo for Transit Unplugged Episode 400
Managementby StaffMarch 6, 2026

Transit Unplugged Celebrates 400 Episodes

The special episode features an exclusive interview with Mark Miller, president of Constellation Software Inc. and executive chairman of the Volaris Group, who reflects on the podcast's early vision and the importance of creating a platform where transit leaders can share ideas and learn from one another.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A recent generation New Flyer Electric Bus
Managementby StaffMarch 4, 2026

NFI Group Officially Opens New Flyer All-Canadian Build Facility in Winnipeg

The CAD facility enables NFI to complete full domestic production of heavy-duty transit vehicles, including zero-emission buses, in Winnipeg for the first time in 15 years.

Read More →