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

In METRO's latest installment, we take a look at the latest news from suppliers including AECOM, Camber, WSP, and more.

AECOM Tapped for Phase 2 Final Design of LA Light Rail Project 

AECOM will serve as lead designer under the San Fernando Transit Constructors (SFTC) joint venture team to advance the Phase 2 final design for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (Metro) East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project. 

The project will feature at-grade light rail tracks and 11 stations, spanning 6.7 miles, to create a more efficient and reliable transit service in the San Fernando Valley area. 

As lead designer, AECOM will provide services to manage the design integration for multiple facilities. All project elements will be designed in 3D using (BIM) Building Information Modeling to increase efficiency, enable clash, and design constructability detection. 

Once completed, the transit line will create connections with regional transit services, including Metrolink, Amtrak, Metro G Line, Metro B Line, and other planned Metro projects. The project is currently forecasted to open in 2031. 

C-TRAN Teams with Aira to Provide Visual Interpretation Services

Vancouver, Wash.’s C-TRAN is partnering Aira to provide complimentary access to Aira Explorer for all blind and low-vision transit riders. 

Aira Explorer is an app that provides on-demand, remote visual interpreting services. Clark County transit riders can download the app for free in the iOS or Google Play App Store, tap a button, and connect via secure video call with a professional visual interpreter. 

The interpreter uses the caller’s phone camera to assist with navigation, provide description, read aloud signs and maps, and help with any other tasks a rider may be looking to accomplish while traveling within Clark County.

Local access to Aira Explorer went live in Clark County. Users can automatically use the app for free at major hubs in the C-TRAN system, including transit centers, or with a designated access offer in the app while traveling on C-TRAN elsewhere.

Texas’ CapMetro, Camber Team to Increase EV Charging 

Camber unveiled an expansion of its partnership with Austin, Texas’ CapMetro, successfully delivering 2.9 megawatts (MW) of power to the public transit agency’s primary bus depot. 

With the ability to charge up to 48 EV buses simultaneously, the installation supports CapMetro’s ongoing efforts to transition its bus fleet to zero-emissions vehicles.

As part of the project, Camber supplied and installed two 1440 kW Camber Charging Systems and 48 Camber Industrial Dispensers. 

The company expects to provide CapMetro with its proprietary charger and energy management software, and remote diagnostic tools to manage energy costs and lower the public fleet’s total cost of ownership.

In addition to dispensing power at CapMetro’s primary bus depot, Camber’s EV chargers will also deliver on-route power and range extension, so that buses return to the depot with a higher state of charge to reduce peak power demand at the central site. 

WSP, LA Metro Celebrate Construction of Southeast Gateway Line

WSP joined the LA Metro to celebrate the start of construction of its Southeast Gateway Line, a new 14.5-mile light rail transit line that will provide a dependable alternative to driving for two million people.

WSP in the U.S. has been involved with the light rail project since 2016, serving as lead environmental and design consultant. The Southeast Gateway Line will include nine stations between the City of Artesia, located to the south of Los Angeles, and the city’s Slauson A Line station.

WSP performed several planning studies, including completion of the Final Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) in March 2024. Metro certified the Final EIR under the California Environmental Quality Act in April 2024, followed by the Federal Transit Administration issuing a federal record of decision in August 2024.

When completed, the Southeast Gateway Line will provide convenient transit access for the cities of Bell, Bellflower, Cerritos, Cudahy, Downey, Florence-Firestone, Huntington Park, Los Angeles, Paramount, South Gate and Vernon. The line will also include a new C Line station on the I-105 freeway.