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 Alstom, CCW, and more partnerships making headlines across the transportation sector.

LANTA Expands  Fare System with Masabi

Allentown, Pennsylvania’s Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority (LANTA) and Masabi launched open payments across the LANTA network, adding contactless bank cards, prepaid debit cards, and mobile wallet payments to the ValleyRide fare system.

Riders can now pay for their journey by tapping a contactless Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card, or a mobile wallet such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay, with no need to pre-register or purchase a ticket in advance.

The launch builds on LANTA's ValleyRide Account-Based Ticketing system, introduced with Masabi in 2025, and continues the evolution of LANTA's fare ecosystem. Riders now have maximum flexibility in how they choose to pay, whether using the ValleyRide smartcard, the Transit app, or a contactless bank card or mobile wallet.

Thanks to account linking, riders can also connect their contactless payment card to their ValleyRide account and unlock the full benefits of the system, including fare capping at $5 per day and $70 per month, as well as gaining access to trip history and concession-based pricing, ensuring eligible riders are always automatically charged the correct reduced fare.

CCW Awarded Major Sound Transit Bus Refurbishment Contract

Complete Coach Works (CCW) was awarded a contract by Sound Transit to refurbish 13 60-foot articulated New Flyer diesel transit buses.

The project was procured through the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services Contract, allowing Sound Transit to streamline procurement.

The project will be performed at CCW’s headquarters in Riverside, California, with CCW managing both refurbishment and vehicle delivery in accordance with the Washington State contract.

The award represents a significant investment in midlife rehabilitation, offering Sound Transit a cost-effective alternative to procuring new vehicles while maintaining performance and rider comfort. Through refurbishment, agencies can achieve a strong return on investment by modernizing existing assets on an accelerated timeline compared with new bus purchases, CCW officials said.

Major Scope of Work Includes:

• Cummins ReCon ISL diesel engine replacement paired with rebuilt Allison B500R transmissions.
• Full articulated joint disassembly and rebuild, including bearings, wear plates, hydraulic components, sensors, and bellows.
• Complete interior renewal, including new flooring, new Freedman passenger seating, refreshed interior panels, and a new RECARO driver’s seat.
• Exterior restoration, including undercarriage corrosion treatment, body repairs, and full exterior repainting with Sound Transit-approved graphics.
• Interior and exterior LED lighting upgrades, including headlights, marker lights, and engine compartment lighting.
• Full suspension, steering, brake, and air system overhauls.
• ADA system upgrades, including rebuilt wheelchair ramps, new securement systems, updated signage, and Q-pods.

Alstom and Export Development Canada Extend Strategic Partnership

Alstom and Export Development Canada (EDC), Canada’s export credit agency, renewed their Sustainable Corporate Partnership agreement, originally established in 2023, for another three years.

The agreement provides a framework to support Canadian economic growth, export development for small- and medium-sized companies, and the advancement of low-carbon transportation solutions worldwide.

The renewed agreement, in place until 2029, reinforces a shared commitment to strengthening Canada’s position as a global hub for rail expertise and innovation, while enabling Alstom to expand low-carbon rail transportation in markets around the world with the support of EDC’s financial solutions, market intelligence, and global network, said the company. The partners aim to use export financing opportunities to support projects across both developed and emerging markets.

In addition, Alstom and EDC will explore opportunities to foster further investment by Alstom in Canada, support large-scale contracts that maximize Canadian content — such as high-speed rail — and contribute to Canadian economic growth by addressing working capital needs and scaling up opportunities for local suppliers. The parties also agree to collaborate on initiatives that promote inclusion, diversity, and community impact, including Indigenous procurement.

The agreement is part of EDC’s Global Corporate Partnerships (GCP) program, whereby EDC partners with large multinational companies that have an established Canadian presence in sectors with strong global growth potential to provide them with tailored financial and insurance solutions that support their growth and investment in Canada. These strategic partnerships aim to deliver mutual benefits that drive economic, innovative, and societal impact for Canada through investments, trade, and job creation, and aim to create opportunities for their Canadian operations and Canadian suppliers.

Q-Free Launches Dynamic Connected Vehicle Module for Dynamic Software

Q-Free announced the launch of Dynamic CV, the connected vehicle (CV) software module for Q-Free’s cybersecurity-first Dynamic Software.

Designed to help transportation agencies secure connected-intersection technology in an increasingly complex threat landscape, Dynamic CV delivers encrypted and authenticated communications for connected-vehicle operations at the edge.

Built for secure, edge-based operations, Dynamic CV processes complex connected-vehicle applications directly on the controller via an encrypted API — helping agencies simplify deployments and reduce system complexity. By operating without dependence on a central system, Dynamic CV supports critical safety and mobility applications for agencies and drivers while reducing exposure to evolving cyber threats.

As agencies expand connected infrastructure deployments, Dynamic CV provides a modern, security-first approach to managing real-time traffic-signal and vehicle communications, Q-Free said.

The software securely exchanges key connected-vehicle data, including Signal Phase and Timing (SPaT), MAP intersection geometry, Signal Status Messages (SSM), and Traveler Information Messages (TIM), and processes incoming vehicle requests, data, and safety messages in real time.