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 Tolar, Matawan, and more.

California’s Foothill Gold Line Awards Contract for A Line Extension

California’s Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority (Construction Authority) board will award the construction manager contract for the 2.3-mile Pomona to Claremont A Line Extension to SSH Joint Venture (SSH), a team made up of Skanska USA Civil West California District Inc., Stacy and Witbeck Inc., and Herzog Contracting Corp.

The construction manager contract is the second of two major contracts now awarded to deliver the Pomona to Claremont project using the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) delivery method adopted by the board last year.

The contract award includes authorization for $6.3 million to fund the initial 18-month preconstruction phase, during which SSH will support Parsons Transportation Group Inc.'s ongoing design efforts. The team awarded the first contract for design and engineering services.

SSH’s role during this initial phase will include providing constructability reviews, value engineering, third-party coordination, and cost estimating, among other activities that will help inform the design. After the project design reaches approximately 85% completion, SSH will have the option to build the project if the team successfully negotiates a construction services contract at an acceptable price, anticipated in Fall 2027.

Denver’s Hermes Taps CCW for Bus Refurbishment

Complete Coach Works (CCW) was awarded a contract to prepare and deliver two 2011 35-foot Gillig Low Floor diesel buses for Denver’s Hermes.

The project includes pre-sale preparation and refurbishment of the buses at CCW’s headquarters in Riverside, California. Upon completion, the units will be delivered directly to the customer’s facility in Denver, supporting their fleet expansion and operational needs.

Under the awarded contract, CCW will perform its standard pre-sale preparation scope of work, along with customer-specified upgrades designed to enhance performance, reliability, and overall passenger experience.

The project supports Hermes’ efforts to expand its fleet with reliable, service-ready vehicles while maintaining flexibility and efficiency across its operations.

Tolar Manufacturing Provides Shelters, Signage for JTA NAVI

Twelve new custom bus shelters and 12 custom UTC-branded totem signs were delivered and installed in Jacksonville, Florida, through a collaboration between Balfour-Beatty US, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA), and Tolar Manufacturing.

NAVI is the first public transportation service powered by AVs in the US. Balfour Beatty contracted Tolar to produce the shelters and digital totem kiosks. Balfour Beatty US is the design-build contractor for the NAVI project, providing the technology that powers it.

Tolar’s custom NAVI shelters feature custom-patterned frosted glass wall panels featuring customized NAVI branding and ride details, and a custom red arrow-shaped roof glass. The shelters are constructed with a steel frame and feature a fully welded structure for durability and stability, and are finished in super-durable polyester powder coat color Sparkle Silver with an anti-graffiti clear coat.

Shelter amenities include integrated LED lighting across the roof, electrical access in the center column, an electrical cabinet integrated into the roof, and an integrated custom steel bench for rider comfort. Shelters are also equipped with seven-foot-tall custom UTC totem kiosks to enhance rider safety, provide access to information, and facilitate communication.

The 12 custom UTC totem kiosks are seven-foot-tall standing "blade" designs with all-aluminum construction and finished in the same Sparkle Silver super-durable polyester powder coat color as the shelters. The kiosks are equipped with full-color, high-brightness, 32-inch outdoor LCDs on both sides and a flush-mounted intercom for rider information and accessibility needs.

Matawan Awarded Sourcewell Contract

Matawan, registered as Ubitransport Inc. in North America, was awarded a cooperative purchasing contract with Sourcewell under the "Transportation Services Payment Solutions" category.

Through the Master Service Agreement (MSA), over 50,000 agencies, municipalities, counties, tribal governments, and transit authorities across the US and Canada can now directly procure Matawan’s flagship WanFare solution without undergoing individual Request for Proposal (RFP) processes.

WanFare is a comprehensive Account-Based Ticketing (ABT) SaaS platform that integrates fare collection hardware with a powerful, open-architecture cloud backend to give agencies and riders total flexibility.

According to Matawan, the benefits of this announcement for public transit agencies include:

• Fast-track procurement: Sourcewell contracts meet competitive public solicitation requirements, allowing agencies to purchase directly and accelerate project timelines.
• Pre-Negotiated Competitive Pricing: Agencies benefit from pre-vetted, highly competitive rates, ensuring maximum efficiency of public budgets.
• Complete Fare & Payment Ecosystem: Access to the full WanFare suite (including advanced ticketing, fare validation, and seamless integration) to build agile, inclusive, and modern transit networks.
• Nationwide Eligibility Across All 50 States:  Unlike single-state purchasing vehicles that often restrict out-of-state procurement due to federal or local regulatory hurdles, Matawan’s Sourcewell contract is universally compliant. This ensures that transit agencies in all 50 US states and across Canada can seamlessly adopt WanFare without cross-border legal complications.