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 in Philadelphia, Iowa, Virginia, and more.

Conduent to Install 100 3D Fare Gates for SEPTA

Conduent Transportation announced the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) finalized a plan to install approximately 100 additional 3D fare gates at nine different transit stations in the Philadelphia area. 

The contract is part of a SEPTA program using Conduent’s 3D Fare Gate Solution to track and curb incidents of fare evasion, a problem that the authority says costs it at least $30 million annually.

SEPTA launched a pilot earlier this year with Conduent’s 3D fare gates at the 69th Street station in Upper Darby, Pa., just outside Philadelphia. Coupled with efforts by transit police to deter fare evasion, it is projecting an increase of $300,000 in annual sales revenue at that station. 

Conduent’s 3D Fare Gate Solution uses innovative 3D detection optical sensors, allowing travelers fast and convenient access while detecting and deterring ticketing fraud that would not be caught through traditional fare gates. The gates also provide transit authorities quick access to reporting and analytics, aiding in enforcement decisions by identifying precisely when and where fare evasion occurs.

Keolis Completes Pacific Western Acquisition 

Keolis North America (Keolis) is closing its acquisition of Pacific Western Transportation’s (PWT) transit and motorcoach business lines from Student Transportation of America Inc. 

Keolis has also announced that Greg J. Nichols has been appointed Keolis’ president and COO for all Canadian business lines.

The completion of this acquisition follows the receipt of the requisite regulatory approvals from the Competition Bureau of Canada.

Nichols has more than 20 years' experience in passenger transit and intercity motorcoach operations, safety and security, fleet maintenance, facility management, customer service, and transportation technology. He previously served as PWT’s president of transit and motorcoach. 

Tolar Delivers Bus Shelters to Virginia Agencies

Tolar Manufacturing Co. completed a contract to design, manufacture, and deliver 15 Sunset shelters for Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) and Blacksburg Transit in Blacksburg, Va. 

The shelters are part of a multimodal transit facility (Transit Center) improvement project that began construction in 2021 to provide a central transportation hub and alternative transportation facilities.

The Sunset shelters were delivered in lengths of 24-, 48-, and 72-feet and include roofs with a depth of eight feet and front overhangs, with white twin-wall polycarbonate roof panels for maximum coverage at high-volume stops and varied column heights for installation on sloped pads. 

The shelters also feature custom agency-specific mixed wall panels with perforated aluminum panels, logo dots, and logo glass to allow for high visibility and security while aligning with Blacksburg Transit’s visual identity. Amenities include 120VAC electric lighting to ensure security, USB charging stations for rider convenience, durable aluminum Mesa benches, and Mesa lean rails for rider comfort.

4 Motorcoach Operators Awarded Intercity Bus Funding in Iowa

Burlington Trailways, Greyhound Lines, and Jefferson Lines, and the City of Fort Dodge received $2.1 million from the Iowa Transportation Commission for their calendar 2025 Intercity Bus Programs.

With the current trend in intercity bus transportation moving away from rural connectivity into more urban-to-urban service, these funds play a vital role in keeping rural Iowa connected to other areas within the state of Iowa, the Midwest, and the nation. 

The funding comes from the Federal Transit Administration’s 5311(f) program intended to support intercity bus providers that serve communities with less than 20,000 residents.

Burlington Trailways received funds to replace two over-the-road motorcoaches. Greyhound Lines received funds to assist with start-up service support. Jefferson Lines received funds to replace one over-the-road motorcoach, existing and start-up service support, marketing of their existing services, and rental assistance for two of their Iowa facilities. The city of Fort Dodge received funding for the marketing of their existing services.