From strategic partnerships to acquisitions and service expansions, the industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace. 

In this edition of Biz Briefs, we highlight the latest developments shaping the future of mobility — from manufacturers and technology providers to transit agencies and motrocoach service operators. Stay informed with these quick takes on the projects and companies driving progress across the transportation landscape.

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

Alstom to Provide New Subway Train Fleet for Toronto’s Subway

Alstom will manufacture 70 state-of-the-art, six-car Metropolis metro trains for the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). The agreement includes New Subway Trains (NST) to replace the fleet on Toronto’s Line 2 and to serve subway extension projects.

The new trains will be designed and engineered in Canada, with final assembly in Thunder Bay (Ontario) and testing in Kingston (Ontario), creating up to 945 direct jobs in the country.

Fifty-five of the 70 state-of-the-art, six-car Metropolis metro trains will replace the aging fleet on Line 2 of Toronto’s subway system. The remaining 15 trains are planned to serve on the extension of Line 1 to Yonge North and the extension of Line 2 to Scarborough.

The NSTs will provide comfort, safety, and accessibility, with features such as brighter, more spacious interiors, open gangways, and multipurpose areas for wheelchair users, strollers, or bikes. Equipped with energy-efficient lighting and innovative technologies, including an active leveling system and wireless smartphone charging, the NSTs will deliver a modern passenger experience, said Alstom officials. The trains will also be protected by the latest in cybersecurity technology. 

SilverRide Partners to Debut Paratransit Service in California’s East Bay 

SilverRide Inc. announced a new contract with Transdev North America Inc. to provide supplemental paratransit service for two agencies in California’s East Bay region: the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA) and the Central Contra Costa Transit Authority (CCCTA).

The service, launched in November 2025, expands access to transportation for aging and physically or cognitively disabled riders across 15 communities in the San Francisco Bay Area. The phased deployment begins in LAVTA's service area, with expansion into County Connection's territory. 

At full deployment, SilverRide will deliver more than 150 trips per weekday and 50 trips on weekends, with an estimated 25% to 30% of trips serving passengers requiring wheelchair-accessible vehicles.

The East Bay deployment continues the company's expanded operational footprint as a subcontractor to Transdev, the largest private operator of multiple public transportation modes in the US, operating 17,000 vehicles across 46 states for more than 400 communities nationwide.

ENC to Deliver Diesel Hybrid Buses to Canada

ENC announced that Canada’s Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) selected the company to supply two diesel-electric hybrid AXESS 40-foot transit buses. 

The vehicles will be procured through City View Bus Sales & Service Ltd., ENC's authorized Canadian dealer. The buses will be used to support personnel shuttle service.

The AXESS diesel-electric hybrid platform, powered by a BAE Systems-produced Gen3 hybrid powertrain, combines diesel familiarity with advanced electric propulsion technology to deliver significant operational benefits. The hybrid system reduces fuel consumption compared with conventional diesel buses while cutting NOx and CO₂ emissions, thereby improving air quality in the communities where the vehicles operate, according to the company.

WRTA Teams Up with Transit App to Enhance Rider Experience

All public transit riders in the Worcester, Massachusetts, area are getting a significant upgrade to their digital experience as WRTA and Transit announce a new partnership.

The partnership makes Transit the recommended app for WRTA riders through a Worcester-wide Royale sponsorship. With Royale, riders gain access to unlimited departure schedules, additional trip planning options, custom app themes and icons, and more. WRTA can also communicate with riders through the app, keeping them informed of significant changes and events as they happen.

“Our mission has always been to help people get around without their own car,” said Sam Vermette, CEO of Transit. “Every month, we help eight million people around the world navigate their cities by bus, train, foot, bike, and more, and that wouldn’t be possible without our agency partners.”

Through this partnership, WRTA and Transit will continue to work together to improve the reliability and usability of public transit in Worcester. 

New York MTA Awards Wabtec $386M Contract for New Locomotives

Wabtec Corp. secured a $386 million follow-on order to deliver additional R255 hybrid battery-diesel work locomotives to New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). 

The order is a significant step in the Authority’s Capital Plan to revitalize the city’s transit network infrastructure and improve the capabilities and safety of its maintenance crews.

The expanded agreement includes both locomotives and spare parts. Wabtec will build the R255s at its design and development center in Erie, Pennsylvania, with deliveries scheduled to start in 2027. 

The state-of-the-art hybrid locomotives will replace aging equipment, enhancing reliability and operational efficiency and improving air quality across the network. The locomotives are a cornerstone of the MTA’s broader modernization efforts, aligning with the authority’s long-term strategy to deliver safe and efficient transit solutions.

The R255 hybrid locomotive benefits MTA maintenance crews by improving working conditions, especially in tunnels. It can eliminate emissions by utilizing battery power during subway construction, maintenance, and repairs, especially during extended periods at a work site. The approximately 500-kWh locomotives can operate in “battery only” mode within confined work zones for several hours and can move work trains when third-rail power is de-energized.