METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Biz Briefs: Optibus, Fleetio, and More

Here's the latest supplier/agency news from around the industry.

Biz Briefs: Optibus, Fleetio, and More

Since its initial seed round, investors including Volvo, Insight, Bessemer, SOMV, Tencent, and more, have backed Optibus’ mission, guiding the company to a valuation of $1.3 billion.

Photo: Optibus/METRO

2 min to read


Biz Briefs covers the latest industry news. In the latest installment, Optibus marks 10 years, Fleetio earns an award, and much more.

Optibus Marks 10th Anniversary

Optibus is marking its 10-year anniversary.

Ad Loading...

CEO Amos Haggiag and CTO Eitan Yanovsky co-founded Optibus in 2014 to solve a math challenge they had encountered at university as mathematics and computer science students: the Traveling Salesman Problem.

Today, Optibus has grown from two founders to more than 400 employees in 23 countries. It has been named a World Economic Forum technology pioneer and, in 2024, Optibus’ sustainability performance ranked in the top 5% of companies globally.

Since its initial seed round, investors including Volvo, Insight, Bessemer, SOMV, Tencent, and more, have backed Optibus’ mission, guiding the company to a valuation of $1.3 billion.

Fleetio Wins Sales & Customer Service Award

Fleet maintenance management software company Fleetio won a 2024 Silver Stevie® Sales & Customer Service Award for Customer Service Department of the Year.

A testament to its commitment to customer-centric service and product reliability, this marks the third consecutive year that Fleetio has earned a Stevie Award.

Ad Loading...

The Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service are the world’s top honors for customer service, contact center, business development, and sales professionals. The Stevie Awards organizes nine of the world’s leading business awards programs, also including the prestigious American Business Awards and International Business Awards.

Suffolk Transit Provider Earns TSA Certification

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) honored EBT Inc. — one of several private bus companies contracted by New York’s Suffolk Transit to provide fixed-route services — with the Gold Standard Award for security.

The Gold Standard Award is the highest level of recognition TSA can give to a public bus transit agency for achieving top scores during an annual review of 20 categories of security and emergency preparedness elements. The review evaluates several aspects of a bus transit agency’s operations, including its security plan, security training, drills and exercise programs, public outreach efforts, and background check procedures.

EBT Inc., a member of The Trans Group of Spring Valley, N.Y., operates a fleet of 52 public buses for Suffolk Transit along eight routes with 111 full- and part-time bus operators in Suffolk County, N.Y.

More Technology

An ABQ RIDE bus going through a Westmatic wash system.
Technologyby Staff and News ReportsMarch 16, 2026

Biz Briefs: Westmatic in Albuquerque, New Fare Payment Systems, and More

In METRO's latest installment, we take a look at the latest news from suppliers including Alstom, Modeshift, and more.

Read More →
Photo of a traffic signal
TechnologyMarch 16, 2026

AI Bus Lane Enforcement Boosts Safety, Reliability in West Hollywood

Traditionally, bus lane enforcement has relied on manual processes carried out by transit police or parking enforcement officers. While it may be effective in certain municipalities, this approach is resource-intensive and very difficult to sustain.

Read More →
A Coach USA vehicle wrapped for Newark International Airport service.
TechnologyMarch 11, 2026

Scaling Smart: How Fleet Operations Can Cut Downtime and Drive Growth

A phased approach to technology, in-house capabilities, and workforce investment is helping transportation leaders break the reactive cycle and build more resilient, revenue-focused operations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A Sound Transit Link light rail vehicle in a station
Technologyby Staff and News ReportsMarch 10, 2026

INIT Introduces Open Payments for Seattle’s ORCA Fare System

The landmark event empowers riders across six agencies in the Puget Sound region to tap-and-ride transit using a contactless credit or debit card or a mobile wallet.

Read More →
An MBTA paratransit vehicle.
Technologyby Staff and News ReportsMarch 9, 2026

METRO Opens Submissions for 2026 Innovative Solutions Awards

Now in its latest edition, the awards recognize forward-thinking solutions that improve safety, operational efficiency, sustainability, rider experience, and overall system performance.

Read More →
Cover photo for Biz Briefs dated March 6, 2026
Technologyby Staff and News ReportsMarch 6, 2026

Biz Briefs: Tolar Manufacturing Supports PSTA Spark Service and More

Stay informed with these quick takes on the projects and companies driving progress across the transportation landscape.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Cover Photo for METROspectives with Timothy Menard
TechnologyMarch 5, 2026

How AI and Innovation Are Powering the Future with LYT’s Timothy Menard

Menard discusses how data-driven signal prioritization is improving efficiency, reliability, and ridership, while offering insight into the innovations driving the next generation of smart mobility. Together, they explore how technology and collaboration are paving the way for a more connected, sustainable future in transit.

Read More →
An NJ TRANSIT bus
Technologyby StaffMarch 4, 2026

NJ Transit Pilots AI-Powered Digital Bus Stop Signs

The pilot program showcases two companies’ technology at eight bus stops. The companies submitted their ideas through the Transit Tech Lab, which is backed by the Partnership Fund for New York City and provides an accelerated pathway for early to growth-stage companies to solve public transportation challenges for the largest transit agencies in North America.

Read More →
Cover photo for Biz Briefs
Technologyby Staff and News ReportsFebruary 26, 2026

Biz Briefs: Hitachi Rail in Philadelphia, Keolis in Nantucket, and More

Stay informed with these quick takes on the projects and companies driving progress across the transportation landscape.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
MBTA passengers at rail station
Technologyby StaffFebruary 24, 2026

Boston's MBTA Advancing Major Signal Modernization to Improve Red Line Reliability

To accomplish this work, the MBTA announced that four phases of temporary evening service changes will begin on February 28 and continue through April.

Read More →