Biz Briefs covers the latest supplier partnership news in the motorcoach and public transit industries.

In the latest installment, METRO highlights news from Fort Worth, Texas; Knoxville, Tenn.; and more.

Luminator Installs INFOtransit Tech on Trinity Metro Line

Luminator Technology Group worked in conjunction with Fort Worth, Texas’ Trinity Metro to install its INFOtransit technology on the agency’s buses used for the new Orange Line. 

The project was completed in record time, completing the order and installation in 35 days for five of the six buses. Luminator coordinated the project with Trinity Metro and Vontas — just in time for the ribbon cutting.

With real-time updates and software to support easy administration, content management, and diagnostics, as well as integration into other systems, INFOtransit makes it easy to keep passengers informed-while providing an option for revenue-generating advertising, according to Luminator.

Knoxville Area Transit Taps Masabi for Account-Based Ticketing

Tennessee’s Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) announced the launch of its next-generation Account-Based Ticketing system powered by Masabi, the company delivering Fare Payments-as-a-Service through its open platform, Justride. 

The major upgrade is available to riders through the Transit app and the katpay smartcard and designed to provide riders with a seamless, cost-effective, and hassle-free transit experience, emphasizing KAT’s continued focus on convenience and affordability.

The new fare payment system integrates KAT’s "plan, pay, scan" approach for the Transit app and "tap & ride" functionality for the katpay smartcard, offering riders flexible payment options to suit their preferences. 

Using the app, riders can plan their journey and pay online, scanning a barcode on their smartphones when they board. Meanwhile, the katpay smartcard allows riders to simply tap their card on a validator.

BEA Launches ‘Universal Platform’

BEA Transit Technologies Inc. (BEA) is introducing its "Universal Platform,” which serves as a comprehensive system for automated fare collection (AFC) equipment monitoring, configuration, and transaction reporting and can be integrated with virtually any existing AFC system. 

The completed development further builds on BEA’s commitment to manufacture the most accessible and reliable AFC equipment solutions in the industry, including advanced fareboxes, ticket vending machines, operator control units, faregates, and other devices for public transit agencies.

With the Universal Platform, BEA equipment can be fully customized for an agency via an online configuration process, giving control to the agency (or AFC integration partner), while allowing BEA Engineers to focus on continuous improvement of the platform and freeing the agency staff from long and costly design reviews typically associated with custom software development.