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

In this edition of Biz Briefs, we spotlight the latest developments shaping the future of mobility. From manufacturers and suppliers to transit agencies and motorcoach operators, these updates offer a snapshot of the projects, partnerships and business moves driving the industry forward.

In METRO's latest installment, we take a look at recent news from Masabi, MCI, Samsara, and more partnerships making headlines across the transportation sector.

New Flyer Secures Additional 100-Bus Order from WMATA

New Flyer announced that the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) exercised its second-year options under a five-year contract for 500 buses.

The order includes 75 Xcelsior® hybrid-electric 40-foot transit buses and 25 Xcelsior CHARGE NG battery-electric 40-foot transit buses. The options are being exercised from New Flyer’s Q2 2026 backlog.

Funding for these buses is sourced from a mix of federal, state, and local programs, including grants from the Federal Transit Administration’s Low or No Emission grant program. The new buses will replace retiring fleet units and improve passenger comfort and operational efficiency, aligning directly with WMATA's five-year Strategic Transformation Plan to become the region’s premier choice for safe, efficient transportation.

The purchase of low- and zero-emission buses continues WMATA’s progress under its five-year contract with New Flyer. In February 2025, New Flyer announced a base order for 100 hybrid-electric buses, followed in February 2026 by WMATA’s Year 1 options for an additional 75 Xcelsior 40-foot hybrid-electric buses and 25 Xcelsior CHARGE NG 40-foot battery-electric buses, strengthening the agency’s battery-electric fleet already serving the region.

Masabi Launches AI Incubator

Masabi announced the launch of Masabi AI Labs, an AI Incubator focused on developing tools that deliver meaningful, practical value for public transit agencies and their customers.

AI Labs formalizes more than a year of work, including research and discovery sessions with transit agencies across North America and Europe, and is now working with four agencies along with technology and payment companies to test where AI can make a measurable difference.

According to company officials, rather than starting with the technology, Masabi is focusing on real operational and customer challenges, developing and testing ideas collaboratively with agencies and partners before considering wider deployment.

Initial work has focused on developing AI use cases and tools in six specific areas:

• Making transit data easier to interrogate and act on.
• Improving customer service.
• Strengthening revenue protection.
• Augmenting repetitive operational and back-office processes.
• Helping teams manage increasingly sophisticated fare systems.
• Exploring how passengers could discover and purchase public transit through emerging AI interfaces.

MCI to deliver 92 Commuter Coaches to New York City Transit

Motor Coach Industries (MCI) announced that New York City Transit (NYCT) has awarded a contract for 92 MCI D45 CRT commuter coaches.

Supported by state, local, and Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) funding, the new coaches will replace aging vehicles on express bus routes and help deliver comfortable, efficient transportation for customers. The order has been added to NFI’s third-quarter 2026 backlog.

The MCI D45 CRT is purpose-built for high-capacity commuter and express operations, combining passenger comfort with the durability and performance transit agencies expect from MCI coaches.

Samsara Launches Driver Perks

Samsara Inc. announced Samsara Driver Perks, the first rewards program built for professional drivers that is free to drivers and at no cost to the fleet.

Millions of professional drivers in the Samsara network — from long-haul trucking to passenger transit and last-mile delivery — can now access exclusive offers and discounts from leading brands spanning food and beverage, wellness, fitness, travel, and more. Driver Perks is available in the U.S., with plans to expand to more drivers worldwide.

Samsara co-built Driver Perks with members of its Driver Council, an advisory board that informs Samsara’s product development. Samsara also surveyed drivers across its network to gauge what products and services they value most. Drivers ranked fitness and wellness (64%), food and beverage (58%), and learning and personal development (51%) high on the list. Being healthy and active (79%) and time to rest and recharge (64%) topped what matters for their wellbeing.

The findings underscored that the best way to support drivers is through everyday offerings that fuel their health, wellness, and interests. The result is a lineup of more than 50 partners that add value to a driver’s lifestyle on and off the road. Partners include brands like Audible, BetterHelp, BetterSleep, Dickies, Liquid I.V., OLIPOP, Pit Boss Grills, MEATZY, Truck Parking Club, and more.

Eligible drivers can access Driver Perks through the Samsara Driver App, a direct web link, or a QR code shared by their organization. Offers are available anytime, with additional brands and offers added over time. Each participating brand sets its own offer terms, and drivers redeem directly with the brand.

Complete Coach Works Completes Refurbished Bus for Minot City Transit

Complete Coach Works (CCW) completed a refurbished 30-foot Gillig Low Floor diesel transit bus for North Dakota’s Minot City Transit.

The completed bus marks the successful conclusion of a project designed to provide Minot City Transit with a reliable, cost-effective fleet solution while extending the useful life of a proven transit vehicle. CCW completed the refurbishment at its Riverside, California facility.

Major Scope Highlights Included:

• Replacement of the existing engine with a Cummins ReCon diesel engine.
• Replacement of the existing transmission with a rebuilt Allison transmission.
• Refurbishment of the radiator, charge air cooler (CAC), surge tank, air intake, and exhaust components.
• Install new Altro commercial-grade flooring, reupholster passenger seating, install a new ergonomic driver’s seat, refurbish stanchions, and refresh interior panels.
• Install new interior and exterior LED lighting, replace the battery, upgrade the electrical panel and wiring, and install a new Luminator destination sign.
• Rebuilt wheelchair ramp, new ADA restraints, and updated accessibility signage.

Prevost H3-45 added to GSA Offering

The Prevost H3-45 is now available for order through the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), expanding access to the industry-leading coach for government customers, the company announced.

The addition gives government agencies a streamlined path to procure Prevost’s flagship motorcoach, combining proven performance, passenger comfort, driver-focused innovation, and support from the largest dedicated service network in the North American coach industry.

The H3-45 is available for order under contract number 47QMCA24R0006 under Mack Defense.

Amtrak Taps HNTB to Advance Design of 2 Critical NEC Bridge Replacements

Amtrak selected HNTB to provide architectural and engineering services for the replacement of the Bush River Bridge and the Gunpowder River Bridge, two critical infrastructure projects along a 20-mile segment of the Northeast Corridor (NEC) in Maryland.

The projects will support efforts to improve reliability, increase capacity, and enhance long-term performance along one of the nation's busiest passenger rail corridors.

Together, the two bridge replacements advance higher-speed rail service while maintaining and improving operations for intercity, commuter, and freight rail. The new bridge structures are expected to enhance system resiliency and reduce long-term maintenance needs.

The Bush River and Gunpowder River bridges are part of Amtrak's broader effort to modernize aging infrastructure across the NEC, improving performance and supporting future service growth. Both structures serve a high volume of daily rail traffic and are critical to maintaining reliable operations across the corridor.