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 ENC, BetterFleet, Connectpoint, and more.

ENC Strengthens Aftermarket Performance

ENC announced a series of operational improvements to its aftermarket business, including expanded parts inventory, reduced lead times, and more responsive customer support. The changes are part of ENC’s focused strategy to deliver more reliable long-term service and rebuild customer confidence across its nationwide fleet base. 

With a significantly larger stock of high-demand parts now housed at ENC’s Riverside, California, facility, most service components can ship within 24 hours of order receipt, according to ENC. The company has also centralized fulfillment operations and removed the limitations associated with an exclusive dealer-based parts network, enabling direct communication with customers and faster resolution of service needs. 

Key operational improvements include: 

• Increased stocking levels. 

• Improved lead times on critical and fast-moving parts. 

• 24-hour shipping for most in-stock orders. 

• Centralized distribution from ENC’s Riverside, California, facility. 

• No dealer intermediaries, resulting in faster and more direct customer support. 

Allison Transmission Partners with Maryland Transit Administration

Allison Transmission announced that the Maryland Department of Transportation, Maryland Transit Administration, selected New Flyer buses equipped with the Allison eGen Flex hybrid propulsion system to operate in the metropolitan Baltimore region. The 40-foot electric-hybrid buses will be built in 2025.

The eGen Flex system is engineered to advance the efficiency of public transportation and help cities reduce their carbon footprint. The propulsion solution’s innovative geofencing technology allows buses to operate up to 50% of their route in engine-off mode, which leads to a substantial reduction of both emissions and noise, according to Allison officials. 

The eGen Flex also offers improved fuel economy of up to 25% compared to diesel buses, demonstrating bottom-line benefits for municipalities around the world. 

BetterFleet Smart Charging Solution Launched in California City

BetterFleet successfully implemented its comprehensive smart charging platform for the City of Roseville, California’s electric bus and fleet operations. The milestone marks a significant step toward the city’s goal of transitioning to a 100% zero-emission transit fleet by 2040. 

BetterFleet’s charge management solution provides the City of Roseville with real-time visibility of electric vehicle charging sessions, infrastructure status, and vehicle availability. The user-friendly portal enables remote charger control, intelligent scheduling, and advanced reporting capabilities. By leveraging machine learning algorithms, the platform can accurately estimate remaining charging time, predict vehicle range, and support informed dispatch decisions, according to BetterFleet. 

A unique digital twin feature takes into account route topography, vehicle physics, driver behavior, and grid constraints in real-time, allowing for data-driven strategies that optimize operational efficiency and reduce strain on the power grid. 

The project to deploy the BetterFleet charge management system is funded at no cost to the city through a grant from the California Energy Commission. 

Tolar Installs 20 New Bus Shelters for SMRT

Twenty new Sunset bus shelters have been delivered and installed as part of an agreement between Santa Maria Regional Transit (SMRT) and Tolar Manufacturing.

The new 12-foot shelters feature solar-powered security lighting, perforated-metal benches, custom https://www.metro-magazine.com/10229156/smrt-launches-pilot-microtransit-service branding, and other customized amenities, including real-time information displays at 10 locations, trash receptacles, and perforated benches. 

The 20-stop upgrade is part of a new street furniture program to improve the mobility experience for residents and visitors to the Santa Maria area. This high-traffic corridor serves as a backbone for local transit in Santa Maria, connecting residents to jobs, schools, healthcare, and small businesses. 

Upgrading shelters along Broadway not only improves rider comfort and visibility but also signals the City’s continued investment in equitable and sustainable transportation infrastructure, according to a press release from Tolar.

Maryland’s Montgomery County Adds Connectpoint Real-Time Arrival Displays

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is installing Connecpoint real-time bus arrival displays at high-ridership bus stops and transit centers across the County. 

The technology presents real-time bus arrival information with an audio readout and text-to-speech button known as Falcon. The MCDOT Division of Transit is currently implementing the screens at 100 bus stops across the County. Approximately 50 screens have been installed as of mid-July. 

The real-time information displays will be installed in high-ridership bus stops and transit centers in Bethesda, Germantown, Rockville, Shady Grove, Silver Spring, and Twinbrook, with MCDOT expecting to add more ePaper displays to high-ridership bus stops over the next few years.