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 suppliers including EAO, Stadler, Arcadis, ROUSH CleanTech, and more.

EAO, Stadler Team for Seat Reservation System

EAO announced that Stadler has selected the company’s latest Seat Reservation System, which is currently being integrated into new Railjet and City Airport Train (CAT) fleets for Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB).

Designed to deliver immediate visibility into seat availability, the system helps passengers find open and reserved seats quickly, improving passenger flow and reducing boarding times across high-traffic routes.

The Seat Reservation System features high-luminosity LED indicators and flexible configuration options that enable seamless integration into the compact luggage compartment, where space is limited. The efficient daisy-chain connection to a central gateway simplifies wiring, installation, and maintenance while reducing overall project costs.

The company’s Seat Reservation System enables clearer routing, allowing passengers to board and locate seats confidently, even during peak travel times.

The first Railjet and CAT trains equipped with the new Seat Reservation System are scheduled to enter service beginning in 2027.

Keolis Lands Contract with Nantucket Regional Transit Authority

Keolis in North America landed a new contract with the Nantucket Regional Transit Authority (NRTA) to manage and operate the island’s public transportation services.

The multi-year contract will deliver fixed-route bus, paratransit, and on-demand services to the island of Nantucket, Massachusetts. 

Under the agreement, which begins March 1, Keolis will oversee the daily management and operation of the NRTA’s system. Currently, the agency operates 23 vehicles with approximately 33% of the fleet being electric.

Keolis was selected to assist the agency in enhancing the Island’s character and providing new economic opportunities for the community. 

SEPTA Adds Hitachi Rail’s CBTC System

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) announced the start of revenue service for its newest Communications‑Based Train Control (CBTC) digital signaling system upgrade on the Media–Sharon Hill Line. The newly integrated Hitachi Rail CBTC system will help to modernize one of the last remaining interurban trolley systems in the US. ​

The upgrade will serve approximately 11.9 miles of light‑rail trolley service from the 69th Street Transportation Center to communities in Media and Sharon Hill. The system will utilize overhead electrification and trolley‑gauge tracks, while also replacing aging signal systems. ​

Highlights include:

• Upgraded SelTrac technology to provide higher system capacity with improved performance, state-of-the-art data analytics, lower capital investment and lifecycle costs, and flexible and scalable architecture.
• New automatic train protection and automatic train supervision technologies are designed to enforce operational speed limits and prevent unsafe train movements, enabling real‑time monitoring. ​
• Built-in wayside transponders and onboard sensors provide high‑resolution vehicle location, supporting vital processes and ensuring reliable onboard operations.

Arcadis Lands Orange County, California Mobility Contracts

Arcadis will deliver two projects that accelerate the modernization of mobility access across Santa Ana and Orange County. The projects, valued at $6.6 million combined, include the Kraemer Boulevard/Glassell Street/Grand Avenue Corridor Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Project and the McFadden Avenue Transit Signal Priority (TSP) Pilot Project.

Under a $5.4 million, three-year contract, Arcadis will deliver turnkey services for the Kraemer Boulevard/Glassell Street/Grand Avenue Corridor Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Project. Spanning a 15-mile corridor and 61 signalized intersections across six communities, including Santa Ana, Orange, Anaheim, Placentia, Brea, and Caltrans, this project represents a step toward safer and more efficient regional mobility.

Additionally, Arcadis has been awarded a $1.1 million contract to deliver a cloud-based Transit Signal Priority system pilot for Orange County along McFadden Avenue. The pilot will cover 19 intersections and deploy a cloud-based TSP system to support OCTA’s Bus Line 66.

The TSP project evaluated four potential TSP solutions to select the system that best meets the needs of both the City of Santa Ana and OCTA, providing a more reliable and efficient bus service for residents who rely on public transit for daily commutes to work, school, and local shopping.

Pennsylvania’s BeST Converts to Propane

Pennsylvania’s BeST has begun converting its fleet to operate on propane autogas at its three locations in Towanda, Athens, and Mansfield.

Working closely with ROUSH CleanTech, Ferrellgas, Coach & Equipment, and PennDOT, BeST now has six propane-fueled, fixed-route buses in service, moving the authority closer to its goal of having 70% of the fleet running on propane in the future.

According to BeST Transit’s executive director, Mark Hamilton, Phase One of the propane conversion project includes 17 vehicles, or 25% of the fleet: six 2025 Ford E450 buses are already in service, and four more of the same are on the way. Seven 2026 Ford Transit 350HPs are on order and will be used for the Shared Ride programs. They will be dual-fuel propane and gasoline.

Transit Technologies Launches Managed Eligibility for Paratransit

Transit Technologies announced the launch of Managed Eligibility. This new service offering pairs its digital eligibility platform with expert-led eligibility case management to help agencies meet ADA timelines, reduce administrative burden, and strengthen compliance oversight.

Managed Eligibility combines Transit Technologies' centralized eligibility software with a dedicated team that manages eligibility reviews for agencies. Deployed turnkey with deeper integration for Ecolane demand response clients, the service replaces paper-based processes, spreadsheets, and disconnected tools with a single end-to-end system supporting application intake, documentation, determinations, audits, and rider communications.

Managed Eligibility can also be adopted as a standalone solution for agencies that want to modernize ADA paratransit eligibility workflows regardless of their current scheduling/dispatch environment.

The product is available immediately as an optional service for agencies using Transit Technologies' Eligibility platform, with pilot deployments underway and broader adoption planned throughout 2026.