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 ENC, Flix, and more partnerships making headlines across the transportation sector.

Endera Delivers 3 Zero-Emission Buses to California

Endera delivered three new zero-emission buses to California’s Mendocino Transit Authority (MTA).

The buses were procured through the CalACT/MBTA Purchasing Cooperative, a federal- and California State-compliant cooperative purchasing program that streamlines vehicle acquisition for transit agencies across California.

The newly delivered electric vehicles are being placed into fixed-route service across two communities. One bus will be deployed in Willits, providing residents with reliable, scheduled transit service throughout the town. The remaining two buses are to operate in Ukiah, strengthening MCTA's fixed-route network in the county seat and increasing service capacity to meet growing ridership demand.

The CalACT/MBTA Purchasing Cooperative is the largest transit vehicle purchasing cooperative of its kind in the US, serving more than 300 member agencies throughout California. Administered by the Morongo Basin Transit Authority on behalf of the California Association for Coordinated Transportation, the cooperative provides member agencies with a federal- and California State-compliant purchasing solution for transit vehicles and related equipment.

ENC Named NEORide Consortium Approved Supplier

ENC has been approved as a supplier to the NEORide consortium, unlocking direct procurement access to over 40 public transit agencies across 12 states.

Through NEORide's streamlined procurement framework, participating agencies can now access ENC's Buy America-compliant, Altoona-tested buses via pre-negotiated contracts, enabling faster vehicle acquisition, enhanced operational efficiency, and nationally competitive pricing.

NEORide was formed in 2014 by a coalition of transit leaders committed to increasing inter-agency collaboration, reducing procurement boundaries, and bringing innovation to market faster. Today, it represents a powerful network of over 40 agencies across several states, including Ohio, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Maryland, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

The consortium has secured tens of millions in federal and state grants to fund projects that reimagine public transportation across the US.

For ENC, NEORide approval expands and streamlines market access, while providing agencies in member states with a proven American manufacturing partner backed by renewed capital investment, strengthened supply chain partnerships, and decades of industry expertise, said ENC officials.

San Antonio’s VIA Teams with Safety Vision to Boost Safety

San Antonio’s VIA Metropolitan Transit is phasing in a fleet-wide modernization of its mobile video surveillance systems in partnership with Safety Vision.

The multi-year, multi-million-dollar program, approved by the VIA board, replaces aging surveillance technology with Safety Vision's current-generation hardware and SafetyNet video management platform, beginning with 361 fixed-route buses.

For VIA and the more than two million residents of the greater San Antonio region it serves, the upgrade delivers tangible, everyday benefits: clearer video coverage on board every modernized bus, faster retrieval of footage when incidents occur, and a stronger deterrent against crime and misconduct, all of which contribute to a safer, more confident riding experience throughout Bexar County, said officials.

Installation is being executed entirely at VIA's maintenance facility, with dedicated Safety Vision on-site technical and project management representatives overseeing every phase from removal and installation through final inspection and acceptance. The deployment includes enterprise SafetyNet licensing for VIA's fleet operations and is backed by Safety Vision's industry-leading product warranty.

Flix Launches ChatGPT App

Flix, the company behind FlixBus and FlixTrain, announced its integration with ChatGPT, enabling users to discover and plan bus and train journeys through natural conversation.

With the integration, ChatGPT users can search for routes, compare travel options, and access Flix connections across Europe, North America, Türkiye, South America, and Asia-Pacific. The experience combines conversational AI with Flix’s real-time travel network and booking platform to make travel planning faster and more intuitive, said officials.

Available globally, the Flix ChatGPT app can now be accessed here or through ChatGPT by selecting “Apps” and searching for FlixBus.

With full localization support, it can respond in any language Flix supports and automatically direct customers to the booking domain for their market. The integration gives travelers conversational access to FlixBus extensive network of routes and destinations worldwide, said officials.