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 motorcoach 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 Complete Coach Works, Knorr-Bremse, and more.

ABC Companies Announces Strategic Partnership with Waev

ABC Companies announced a strategic partnership with Waev, a manufacturer of low-speed electric vehicles for local fleets whose portfolio includes GEM, Taylor-Dunn, Fusion, and Tiger. ABC’s initial focus will be on the GEM product line.

ABC officials said the partnership is a natural extension of the company’s role as a full-solution transportation partner. They added that the addition of Waev reflects a customer-led decision to support real-world operating needs with the right solution for each environment.

By introducing GEM vehicles into its portfolio, ABC broadens its ability to support the full passenger journey, from long-distance transportation to first-mile and last-mile connectivity and on-property mobility. GEM vehicles are well-suited for applications such as resort and hospitality, guest transportation, corporate and industrial campus employee movement, and short-distance circulation.

$1.29B Hudson Tunnel contract awarded to Traylor/Walsh/Skanska JV

The Gateway Development Commission awarded the joint venture comprising Traylor Bros., Inc., Walsh Construction, and Skanska the contract to deliver Package 1C: The Hudson River Tunnel Section, a major component of the Hudson Tunnel Project and the broader Gateway Program.

Package 1C will construct the section of the new passenger rail tunnel tubes beneath the Hudson River between New Jersey and Manhattan. The work includes boring two new parallel, single-track tunnels, each approximately 7,250 feet in length, from the Hudson County Access Shaft in Weehawken, New Jersey, to the 12th Avenue Access Shaft on Manhattan's West Side.

The package also includes tunnel liner and floor installation, construction of nine cross passages connecting the two tunnel tubes, ground stabilization work near the Hudson Bergen Light Rail, and permanent underpinning of the Willow Avenue Bridge.

The new tunnel tubes are part of the Hudson Tunnel Project, which will improve reliability for passenger rail service on the Northeast Corridor by building two new tubes under the Hudson River and rehabilitating the existing North River Tunnel, which has been in service since 1910 and was damaged by Superstorm Sandy.

As described by project stakeholders, the Hudson Tunnel Project is the cornerstone of the Gateway Program and one of the most urgent passenger rail infrastructure investments in the US.

Complete Coach Works Awarded Roberts Hawaii Contract

Complete Coach Works (CCW) was awarded a contract by Roberts Hawaii to prepare and deliver two 2007 35-foot Gillig Low Floor diesel buses.

The award reflects the continued relationship between CCW and Roberts Hawaii, built over decades of collaboration that have supported fleet needs across the islands. CCW has worked closely with Roberts Hawaii on multiple fleet initiatives, providing reliable vehicles and tailored solutions aligned with the company’s operational needs, officials said.

The project includes pre-sale preparation of the buses at CCW’s headquarters in Riverside, California. Upon completion, the units will be transported to the Port of San Diego for shipment to Hawaii. Under the awarded contract, CCW will complete its standard pre-sale preparation scope of work to ensure each vehicle meets performance, safety, and operational requirements before delivery.

The project supports Roberts Hawaii’s ongoing efforts to maintain a reliable and flexible fleet while continuing to serve residents and visitors across the islands with dependable transportation solutions.

Knorr-Bremse Nears Completion of Major Boston Signaling Upgrade

Knorr‑Bremse’s KB Signaling has entered the final phase of a large‑scale signaling upgrade program for Boston’s Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA).

Since 2019, the company has been equipping the city’s Red and Orange Lines with its AFTC5 (Audio Frequency Track Circuit) technology as part of a multi‑year project valued in the lower triple‑digit million-euro range, with completion scheduled for the end of 2026.

The AFTC5 Audio Frequency Track Circuit marks the transition from traditional solutions to a fully digital generation and serves as a key foundation for modern signaling systems.

According to Knorr-Bremse, transmitting audio‑frequency signals directly through the rails enables reliable train detection. It supports the data‑based exchange of safety‑critical information, such as train speed commands. This digital capability ensures clearly defined train positions, dependable track clearance, and safe train separation at all times — creating the basis for safe, efficient, and high‑performance rail operations in one of the United States’ most important urban rail systems.

STV to Lead California Road Pricing Initiative

STV was selected by the California Association of Councils of Governments (CALCOG) to lead a new statewide initiative evaluating how road pricing strategies can reduce congestion and improve travel reliability.

The project is funded by a grant awarded to Caltrans, in partnership with CALCOG, through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Regional Infrastructure Accelerator program.

As California faces rising congestion alongside new mobility and sustainability targets, the effort will establish the California Transportation Choices Partnership, a statewide coalition focused on communicating the costs and benefits of road pricing and accelerating the planning, development, and delivery of projects that improve travel conditions. The initiative will examine how tools such as tolled and express lanes, cordon pricing, and congestion pricing can be advanced through fair‑pricing, user‑pays approaches to manage demand better and improve the movement of people and goods.

STV will lead an interview‑driven assessment to understand better why road pricing efforts move forward in some regions and stall in others, and to identify the political, institutional, operational, and financial factors that shape those outcomes. The firm will deliver a report outlining key success factors that agencies can use to evaluate their own conditions.

In addition to the report, STV will develop communication-ready materials for boards, legislators, and community stakeholders, as well as a lessons‑learned summary to support future pricing efforts. All deliverables will be completed by August 2026, enabling participating agencies to incorporate the findings into long‑range planning, corridor evaluations, and ongoing policy discussions across the state.

Heliox Introduces 60 Dual DC Fast Charger

Heliox, A Siemens Business, is introducing the H60D fast charger, a compact, high-utilization solution designed for a wide range of vehicles, including cars, buses, and trucks.

The system combines a dynamic power allocation between its two CCS1 outlets, broad EV and backend compatibility, and flexible mounting options to support higher charger usage across a wide variety of sites.

The H60D enables two parallel charging sessions from a single unit, cutting both hardware spend and footprint while increasing the number of vehicles that can be served at each location. Both outlets can operate simultaneously and dynamically share power, allowing operators to either deliver the full 60 kW to one vehicle or distribute power between two vehicles as demand shifts throughout the day.

To support long-term reliability and predictable lifecycle performance, the H60D includes a standard 24‑month warranty and optional preventative maintenance programs that help operators maintain high uptime and optimize asset performance over the charger’s service life. This comprehensive support model gives fleets and site hosts confidence that their charging infrastructure will perform reliably and remain a strong, future-ready asset in their operations.