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 Siemens, Prevost, Dodge, and more partnerships making headlines across the transportation sector.

RIPTA Unveils New Frontrunner Paratransit Fleet

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA), as well as local, federal, and American Public Transportation officials, introduced 50 new Model 1 Frontrunner vans to replace aging vehicles in its RIde paratransit fleet and expand capacity for growing RIde and Flex On Demand service.

The new Frontrunner vans feature a low-floor design, flat entryway, kneeling capability, and a low-slope manual ramp, making it easier and more convenient for passengers who use wheelchairs and other mobility devices to board and exit the vehicle. The design also makes it easier for van operators to deploy the wheelchair ramp.

The new vehicles will also support RIPTA’s efforts to modernize its fleet and reduce its reliance on outsourced taxi services. By expanding its fleet and workforce, RIPTA will be able to provide more trips directly, giving Ride reservationists greater control over scheduling and helping the agency maximize available resources, said officials.

As demand for accessible transportation continues to grow, this investment will help RIPTA provide more reliable, comfortable, and dignified service for Rhode Islanders with disabilities. In 2025, RIPTA provided over 256,975 RIde and RIde Anywhere paratransit trips, said officials

Prevost confirms EPA and CARB Compliance for Volvo D13 Engines.

Prevost confirmed the EPA 2027 Volvo D13 engine meets 2027 emissions standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board, company officials said.

The new standards reduce permitted nitrogen oxides emissions by more than 80% from current limits. Prevost representatives shared the news at the International Motorcoach Group’s Strategic Alliance Meeting in Wichita, Kansas, where company representatives briefed operators on what to expect.

The EPA 2027 Volvo D13 engine and its aftertreatment system have been proven in the lab and on the road, with more than 2.5 million test miles logged across the Volvo Group. The engine is certified by both the EPA and CARB, making model year 2028 coaches eligible for registration in the United States and Canada, including California and CARB opt-in states.

The EPA 2027 update marks the next evolution of the Prevost powertrain. At its core is the EPA- and CARB-certified Volvo D13 engine, paired with a simplified "one-box" aftertreatment system. The unit replaces the previous multi-component system, bringing service points within reach from the ground and cutting time spent on emissions-related maintenance. Additional updates include a redesigned air intake, air dryer and charge air cooler, a translucent coolant surge tank, and a 48-volt alternator.

Cleveland’s RTA Marks Arrival of First Siemens Railcar

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) marked a historic milestone in regional transportation with the official arrival of its first next-generation Siemens railcar.

The delivery is part of a comprehensive $435 million investment to replace an aging fleet completely, bringing riders unparalleled safety, comfort, cleanliness, and reliability.

The newly arrived railcar, designated as the Siemens Model S200 Light Rail Vehicle (LRV), represents the future of public transit. Engineered with a major focus on passenger experience, these LRVs feature a modern design with 52 easy-to-clean seats for the highest level of sanitation, additional standing room, four wheelchair areas for enhanced accessibility, two bicycle racks, and an advanced infotainment system.

In addition, the vehicles will be built to withstand the coldest Cleveland days, featuring ice-cutting technology and a modern operator cab area with a dedicated heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit, a heated windshield, and enhanced visibility.

Upon arrival, each new railcar will undergo rigorous safety and commissioning tests at GCRTA’s Brookpark rail yard and on the GCRTA rail system before entering official revenue Red Line service in the Summer of 2027, and Blue and Green Lines rail service in the Summer of 2028.

Optibus Adds New Intelligent Driver, Vehicle Allocation Component

Optibus announced the launch of Allocation Optimization, a new capability within Optibus Operations that automates one of the most manual processes in public transportation operations: matching drivers and vehicles to work shifts.

Optibus's Allocation Optimization adds a layer of efficiency and workforce retention to an operation. It determines the best match by evaluating driver and vehicle availability, preferences, work patterns, and regulatory rules in consecutive optimization runs — not by filling one duty at a time or handing a dispatcher a ranked list to confirm manually.

The engine covers two workflows:

• Forward Optimization, which builds long-term duty allocation plans for operations that don't run advanced rostering. It optimizes around driver preferences, seniority, work patterns, days off and holidays, and cost.
• Operational Optimization, which handles same-day disruption. When a driver calls out, the engine re-matches open duties to available spare or volunteer drivers, completing a compliant reallocation within minutes without disturbing the rest of an already published schedule.

Across both, the compliance engine automatically applies EU and domestic hours regulations, US union rules and collective bargaining agreements, minimum rest periods, and maximum work-time limits.

Riverside Transit, Clean Energy Unveil New Hydrogen-Fueling Station

California’s Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) and its partner Clean Energy unveiled the agency’s new hydrogen fueling station and zero-emission hydrogen-powered buses at its headquarters in Riverside.

The introduction of these buses marks the beginning of RTA’s transition from Compressed Natural Gas-powered buses to a fully zero-emission fleet.

The project was made possible through a combination of federal, state, and local funding, including $4.89 million in competitive 5339 Low or No Emission funds that RTA secured to purchase its first five hydrogen fuel cell buses.

MARTA Adds Dodge ProMasters to Fleet

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is officially introducing its new fleet of blue Dodge ProMaster vehicles designed to deliver improved accessibility, passenger comfort, and overall efficiency across 12 designated Reach microtransit service zones. The vehicles will be wrapped in blue MARTA Reach branding to make them easily identifiable for customers.

The introduction of the high-capacity, low-floor Dodge ProMaster vans represents a key milestone in MARTA’s ongoing commitment to expanding first-mile/last-mile transit options across metro Atlanta.

Tailored for dynamic, on-demand transit, the new vehicles feature spacious seating and enhanced accessibility for riders with mobility devices.

To ensure a seamless boarding process, all new Dodge ProMaster vehicles will feature functional Breeze equipment upon deployment on September 5. Passengers can easily tap to pay using their MARTA Breeze Card or mobile payment methods directly at the vehicle door.

MARTA Reach operates as an on-demand, shared-ride microtransit service connecting local neighborhoods directly to MARTA’s broader bus and rail network. Riders can book trips via the MARTA Reach mobile application.

TRC, Transit Orange Partner to Modernize Public Transportation in New York

The Routing Company (TRC) announced a new partnership with Transit Orange to modernize demand-response and fixed-route transportation across Orange County, New York.

Through the partnership, Transit Orange will deploy TRC's award-winning Pingo platform to support scheduling, dispatching, real-time vehicle management, and rider communications for its fixed-route, dial-a-ride, and ADA complementary paratransit services. The implementation will provide dispatchers, operators, and riders with modern tools designed to improve reliability, simplify trip booking, and enhance the overall transit experience.

Transit Orange serves communities throughout Orange County via a coordinated network of transportation providers that offer local and commuter buses, Dial-A-Ride, ADA paratransit, and connections to regional services in the greater Hudson Valley and New York City region.

The deployment will provide Transit Orange with a comprehensive web-based operating platform featuring intelligent scheduling, optimized vehicle routing, real-time fleet visibility, automated rider notifications, and detailed operational analytics. By replacing legacy processes with modern software, the agency will be better positioned to deliver reliable service while improving operational efficiency, according to officials.