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

In METRO's latest installment, we take a look at the latest news from suppliers including Nova Bus, Spare, STV, and more.

MTA Adding 100 Nova Bus Clean-Diesel Buses

New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) approved exercising an option to purchase 100 clean-diesel buses from Nova Bus to replace older buses in the fleet and maintain reliable service. 

The new buses will be equipped with features including a driver enclosure, OMNY readers, and Automated Camera Enforcement. The new buses also produce lower emissions and offer greater reliability, with a higher mean distance between failures than the buses they replace, a metric that measures how long a bus can run before needing service.

The procurement underscores the MTA’s commitment to serving bus riders with modern, more reliable buses that use familiar technology, while working toward its long-term goal of a zero-emissions bus fleet. 

Recently, the Gun Hill Bus Depot in the Bronx welcomed 11 new clean-diesel 60-foot articulated buses from New Flyer, which are now being introduced into service on local and Select Bus Service routes. This is part of a larger order consisting of 245 New Flyer buses. The MTA expects to receive at least 100 additional buses under this contract by the end of next year.

The contract for the 100 new Nova buses is worth $97.6 million. The buses are expected to begin arriving in early 2027 and be fully delivered by the summer of 2027.

STV Helps Deliver Draft Environmental Report for California HSR Corridor

STV announced the California High-Speed Rail Authority has released its Draft Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) for the Los Angeles to Anaheim section of the California High-Speed Rail System. 

The 30-mile section along one of the most active freight and passenger rail corridors in the U.S. will connect Los Angeles Union Station and the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center.   

STV led the development of the environmental document, coordinating technical inputs, agency comments, and the three-volume release that includes engineering plans and ecological analysis. The draft highlights expected benefits, including 1.9 billion fewer vehicle miles traveled statewide. It also points to cleaner electric train operations and improved mobility delivered through five new grade separations and stronger multimodal connections.   

The report shows that high-speed rail (HSR) can operate primarily within existing rail right-of-way while upgrading stations, tracks, grade crossings, and freight links. The Los Angeles-to-Anaheim segment uses an existing rail corridor, which means community and environmental effects such as noise, vibration, and air quality are expected to be lower than they would be with a new rail alignment through this densely developed area, according to STV.

The document outlines mitigation strategies and initiates a public review period through February 3, 2026, with hearings scheduled for December and January. A Final EIR/EIS is expected in late 2026. 

UZURV Partnership to Strengthen Houston METRO’s Paratransit Services

UZURV has joined Houston’s METROLift as a new service provider, offering a flexible, fully vetted driver network that meets local, state, and federal requirements, including FTA-compliant drug and alcohol testing. 

UZURV provides METROLift with an additional option to assign trips to a provider integrated into the agency's ADA paratransit program. The goals of the partnership are improved program efficiency and rider satisfaction, according to a joint press release.

UZURV created a new network of fully compliant drivers in just 41 days and began providing service on November 18, seamlessly integrating with RideCo, the transit technology platform leveraged by METRO, to strengthen METROLift’s ability to serve the community immediately. 

The rapid launch not only expands service capacity but ensures riders experience more dependable, timely trips. Drivers on the UZURV network are specially onboarded to understand the needs of individuals with disabilities and to provide service with patience, professionalism, and care. 

Florida’s Votran, Spare Upgrade Paratransit Services

Spare announced that VoTran, Volusia County, Florida’s public transit authority, has modernized its VoAccess paratransit service through a partnership with RATP Dev and Spare, bringing a new, high level of reliability to residents who depend on accessible transportation. 

As one of the first Florida agencies to implement comprehensive paratransit modernization at the county scale, VoTran is setting a new standard for reliable, dignified service. For riders whose daily lives hinge on getting to medical appointments, employment, and grocery trips, VoAccess is now delivering consistent, predictable service that supports independence.

As of December 1, Volusia County riders now have self-service access through the Rider App, powered by Spare, marking a significant milestone in accessibility and convenience. For the first time, residents and visitors can request, track, and manage rides directly from their smartphones, giving them greater independence and control over their transportation.

The Spare and VoTran partnership affects 700 daily trips across approximately 1,200 square miles of Volusia County, serving residents who depend on paratransit. Since implementing Spare’s platform, VoAccess has virtually eliminated late pickups, achieving 97% on-time performance, up from the previous 83% benchmark, according to the agency. 

Pennsylvania’s Chesco Adds Propane Buses

West Chester, Pennsylvania’s Chester County Department of Community Transit has begun replacing its existing gasoline-powered Chesco Connect buses with propane-powered vehicles through a partnership with ROUSH CleanTech.

According to Chester County CEO David Byerman, the move to new vehicles aligns with key priorities in the County’s Climate Action Plan and Strategic Plan.

Chester County has already placed seven new propane buses into service, with another nine expected to join the fleet in February 2026.

Chesco Connect is the County’s community transit program, specializing in door-to-door shared ride transportation for residents of Chester County. According to their annual report, more than 141,000 trips were provided to county residents during the 2024/2025 fiscal year. This averages 556 rides per day and nearly 1.8 million service miles annually.