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, MCI, and more. 

Cincinnati’s Marketing Partnership Paying Dividends

Wisconsin-based marketing communications company AFFIRM Agency and its client Cincinnati Metro (SORTA) are celebrating returning SORTA’s ridership above pre-pandemic levels.

As a marketing partner of SORTA since before the COVID-19 pandemic, AFFIRM played a central role in developing and executing marketing efforts that engaged the public and helped restore trust in public transportation.

AFFIRM was instrumental in creating messaging for the launch of Metro’s ambitious growth plan, “Reinventing Metro,” which began in 2020 and resulted in weekday ridership on high-frequency routes increasing by more than 126%, with overall ridership for 2022 up 29%. 

Building on that success, AFFIRM developed the “Get Up & Go Metro” campaign, aimed at attracting choice riders for leisure activities, which helped SORTA grow ridership by 32% compared to 2022. The company also designed the branding for the agency’s MetroNow! On-demand service that saw a 115% increase in 2024 compared to the previous year. 

MCI Delivers 6 J4500s to GO Riteway Transportation

Motor Coach Industries (MCI) delivered six new 2025 J4500 coaches to GO Riteway Transportation Group.

Based in Oak Creek, Wis., GO Riteway operates more than 25 locations across the Midwest with a team of 1,600 employees and a diverse fleet of 1,300 vehicles. Their fleet includes school buses, motorcoaches, shuttles, executive sedans, and vans, which enable them to provide everything from daily school routes to business travel and regional charters.

GO Riteway’s latest MCI J4500s feature advanced driver assistance safety systems, premium interior styling, and automated audio-visual systems for an enhanced passenger experience, according to an MCI press release.

The delivery continues a long-standing relationship between MCI and GO Riteway, one of the Midwest’s largest, multi-service transportation providers. The new coaches are wrapped and ready for service across GO Riteway’s growing network in Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan.

Alstom Delivers 29 Automated People Movers to Atlanta International Airport

Alstom delivered the first of 29 Innovia APM R vehicles to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. 

According to company officials, the delivery is part of an $87 million project, resulting in Alstom’s largest APM replacement contract to date and its second-largest APM project in the Americas.

According to an Alstom press release, the new Innovia APM R trains are manufactured in West Mifflin, Pa., and offer greater energy efficiency, higher top speeds, and a lightweight aluminum frame that meets industry standards for safety and sustainability. 

Each Innovia vehicle can hold up to 900 passengers per train.

North Carolina’s Link Transit Taps Moovit to Enhance Rider Experience

Link Transit in Burlington, N.C., launched a partnership with the urban mobility app Moovit to streamline public transportation access and improve the rider experience. The collaboration introduces a unified platform that combines multimodal journey planning, real-time transit information, and mobile payment capabilities in a single app.

Through the Moovit app, users can access tools to plan trips using public transportation with real-time arrival data. The app provides a range of navigation features, including turn-by-turn directions and notifications for when to disembark. Service alerts are also integrated to notify riders of delays or disruptions.

The partnership includes mobile ticketing support through Token Transit, allowing passengers to purchase and validate transit fares directly from their smartphones. This digital payment feature simplifies fare transactions and reduces the need for physical tickets or cash handling.

The integrated platform is part of Link Transit’s broader initiative to modernize its services and provide a more connected and responsive experience for transit users in the Burlington area.