Biz Briefs covers the latest supplier news in the motorcoach and public transit industries.

In METRO's latest installment, we look at news in Atlanta, Canada, and more. 

MARTA Taps Zonar to Enhance Safety, Reliability

Zonar announced the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) deployed the Zonar Electronic Verified Inspection Reporting (EVIR) system and Zonar Ground Traffic Control to enhance the safety, reliability, and efficiency of its bus fleet. 

To reduce the cost of passenger trips, MARTA is working with Zonar to limit the frequency of breakdowns, lower operational costs, and increase ridership to target levels post-pandemic.

Leveraging EVIR inspection reports, trip data, and Ground Traffic Control platform, MARTA identified that longer buses could not fit through narrow openings or cleanly complete tight turns, resulting in sideswipes. Collaborating with Zonar, MARTA analyzed and optimized route planning to ensure appropriate bus sizes for each route, reducing maintenance and repair costs due to fewer vehicle damages.

By transitioning from a paper-based vehicle inspection process to a digital EVIR system, MARTA has streamlined inspections, reduced repair delays, and eliminated the need for physical records and storage space. MARTA was also able to streamline defects and make necessary repairs, ultimately resulting in minimized vehicle downtime.

Alstom Releases First Canadian Impact Report

Alstom is releasing its first impact report in Canada, highlighting the company’s impact on the country’s economy and in the communities where it operates. 

Analyzing the fiscal year 2023/24, the first impact report of Alstom’s activities in Canada demonstrates that Alstom supported 8,300 jobs, including 5,000 direct employees, and contributed $575 million to Canada’s GDP. Alstom also spent $448 million with 920 Canadian suppliers. 

Alstom is Canada’s only national train manufacturer. It is today the only global rail company with an industrial footprint in the country, with production and engineering sites in Brampton, Thunder Bay, Kingston, La Pocatière, and St-Bruno-de-Montarville, and major service contracts in most of Canada’s largest cities. 

Alstom’s first socio-economic report benefited from the support of EY’s advanced methodology and socio-economic analysis to assess the impact of numbers and statistics provided for fiscal year 2023/24. Read the report here.

AtkinsRéalis Group Wins FRA Contract

AtkinsRéalis Group Inc. was awarded a Support Technical Oversight Review and Monitoring (STORM) services Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). 

FRA administers grants and loans through the STORM program to assist state and eligible entities in financing the planning, acquisition, design, construction, and improvement of freight rail and intercity passenger rail infrastructure, facilities, and equipment. Amtrak rail service operating support is also managed through STORM. 

Under the five-year, $60 million BPA, AtkinsRéalis will provide program support, technical assistance, oversight, compliance reviews, and project monitoring on behalf of FRA. 

Projects within STORM are in various stages of development including planning, environmental review, preliminary design, final design, construction, and operation.