Biz Briefscovers 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 Alstom, Tolar Manufacturing, and more.

PANYNJ Extends JFK AirTrain Contract with Alstom

Alstom signed a contract extension with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) to provide operations and maintenance services for JFK International Airport’s AirTrain for the next seven years. 

The contract extension is valued at approximately $518 million and includes an option for three additional years.

The JFK AirTrain is a crucial part of reducing traffic congestion around the airport. The system connects all passenger terminals to airport parking lots, the hotel shuttle pick-up area, the rental car center, and NYC’s public transportation network at Jamaica and Howard Beach Stations, where passengers and airport employees can connect with the subway, the Long Island Railroad, and public buses.

Under the agreement, Alstom will be responsible for ensuring the AirTrain is running 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and for maintaining the vehicle fleet, station doors, guideways, power distribution systems, car wash, signaling system and facilities. The fleet is composed of 32 automated light metro trains, which range in size from one to four cars based on passenger demand, serving nine stations. 

150-Plus Tolar Shelters, Amenities Installed at WeGo Public Transit

Tolar Manufacturing delivered bus shelters and other amenities to Nashville’s WeGo Public Transit for upgrades at 164 bus stops. 

Included are one-hundred PV Stop+ solar lighting units, as well as Sunset BRT Shelters, Real Time Information Signs (RTIS), EcoShade shelters, Sunset Advertising shelters, and Voyager MAX shelters. 

The amenities included 8-, 12-, and 16-foot Tolar Sunset shelters with advertising displays, the first Sunset advertising shelters for the city of Nashville, as well as 16- and 20-foot BRT Shelters based upon the Sunset design and includes mounting for Daktronics RTIS provided and installed by WeGo. 

Also included were 10 EcoShade shelters, which feature two fully-welded bench seats mounted on both sides of the center column, providing seating at smaller bus stops, and 16-foot Voyager MAX shelters with agency branding and logos installed at The Fairgrounds Nashville. 

All shelters feature a radius roof design, aluminum and steel construction, and fully welded roof structure. The shelters and amenities support WeGo Public Transit’s effort to provide an enhanced rider experience at more stops and attract new riders. The amenities were installed throughout 2024.

Pennsylvania’s RABA Teams with Moovit to Enhance Rider Experience

Pa.’s Redding Area Bus Authority (RABA) is expanding its partnership with Moovit for a new app experience packed with new shared mobility options with multimodal journey planning, real-time updates, and seamless trip planning and payment.

The upgrade means RABA passengers can now plan multimodal journeys with ease, integrating Bird scooters, BCycle bikes, RABA Runabout rides, and Uber to navigate Redding and beyond. 

With the recent Uber, Bird and BCycle integration, Moovit’s user-friendly interface enables travelers to view bike and scooter locations or as an option when planning their journey, ensuring a smooth and connected commute.

Key features available to RABA riders through Moovit include:

• Real-Time Arrival Information: Know exactly when the bus will arrive.

• Live Directions: Step-by-step guidance with helpful deboarding alerts.

• Service Alerts: Notifications about disruptions, delays, and service changes.

• Multimodal Journey Planning: Easily connect buses with Bird scooters, BCycle, and Runabout on-demand rides for a seamless trip.

• Seamless Payments: Plan and pay for RABA rides in one app, eliminating the need for multiple platforms.

• Ad-Free Experience: Enjoy an uninterrupted, distraction-free commute.