METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Biz Briefs: Steamship Authority, Vicinity, and More

Get the latest from Steamship Authority, Vicinity Motor Corp., Wabtec Bus Solutions, and Papercast.

September 28, 2023
Biz Briefs: Steamship Authority, Vicinity, and More

Steamship Authority, Vicinity Motor Corp., Wabtec Bus Solutions, and Papercast are the latest companies to be featured in METRO’s Biz Briefs.

Photo: METRO

3 min to read


Steamship Authority, Vicinity Motor Corp., Wabtec Bus Solutions, and Papercast recently announced news from their respective companies.

Steamship Authority Electrifies Fleet with BYD

The Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket Steamship Authority received its first three battery-electric buses from BYD | RIDE. 

Ad Loading...

The milestone was commemorated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its administrative office in Falmouth, according to BYD’s news release.

“We are proud to partner with the Steamship Authority and are committed to providing them with reliable and eco-friendly solutions,” said Patrick Duan, Sr. vice president of BYD | RIDE. “The addition of the K9M buses will further enhance the environment and the surrounding communities by providing clean, zero-emission transportation.”

Steamship Authority will use the buses to provide transportation from offsite parking lots to the mainland ferry terminals in Hyannis and Woods Hole. 

The 40-foot K9M bus has a seating capacity of up to 37 passengers.

Vicinity Receives Order from the Village of New Square

Vicinity Motor Corp. announced the receipt of a new purchase order from the Village of New Square, New York for four Vicinity Classic buses.

Ad Loading...

Per the terms of the supply agreement, the Village of New Square has ordered four of the Company's 32-foot Clean-Diesel Vicinity Classic buses for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2023. 

The Vicinity buses will service New Square, a village north of New York City, providing enhanced mobility solutions through the low-floor design - which includes an automatic personal mobility aid access ramp for wheelchairs.

"We continue to leverage the market leadership position of our Classic bus line as a foundational building block of our revenue mix," said William Trainer, founder and CEO of Vicinity. "In addition, we view our Vicinity Classic line as an opening partnership with communities that could evolve into EV sales in the future.”

Wabtec Introduces VaporVision Door Sensing, Monitoring System

Wabtec Bus Solutions recently introduced the new VaporVision door sensing and monitoring system featuring detection technology.

VaporVision enhanced sensing and monitoring detects movement and obstructions to reduce dwell time, optimize door operation, and passenger protection. 

Ad Loading...

Powered by AI-based deep learning, the VaporVision camera provides 180-degree coverage to recognize exiting passengers and hold doors open. 

This single smart camera replaces multiple ultrasonic and infrared sensors, mechanical push buttons, tape switches, touch bars, and light beams. 

The VaporVision system reduces maintenance with enhanced operational efficiency customized to the needs of the bus manufacturer or transit agency.

The VaporVision system features detection areas over a live video feed, view videos, and configure unique recording triggers using the Vapor Live Utility.

Papercast Launches New Products

Papercast announced the launch of two new products: a 13-inch battery-powered flag and compact displays.

Ad Loading...

Papercast’s latest product is engineered to meet the specific needs of bus stop flags in North America and Europe.

At the heart of the product is Papercast’s in-house developed advanced e-paper driver circuit board.

Papercast’s 13-inch battery-powered display integrates with the Papercast Content Management System.

More Management

New MobilityJune 5, 2026

Joshua Schank on Transportation Innovation, Risk, and the Future of Mobility

In this edition of METROspectives, Joshua Schank discusses lessons from launching LA Metro’s Office of Extraordinary Innovation, the challenges of advancing new mobility technologies, and much more.

Read More →
A maintenance person with a tablet.
ManagementJune 5, 2026

Reinventing Fleet Maintenance with Real-time Visibility and AI

Transit leaders need to know what needs fixing, where to look, who is responsible, when work is completed, and what it costs without having to chase information across disconnected systems.

Read More →
Alstom purchasing site for Acela network manufacturing
Railby StaffJune 4, 2026

Alstom Acquires Delaware Site to Support Amtrak NextGen Acela Fleet

The company is investing more than $55 million to acquire and improve the property and will employ approximately 100 people at this site once it is operational.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
SamTrans planning for ballot measure
Managementby StaffJune 4, 2026

SamTrans Sets Priorities for Potential Connect Bay Area Revenue

The board-approved framework allocates future funding to maintaining service, rider improvements, equity initiatives, and infrastructure repairs.

Read More →
Riders in MARTA bus station
Security and Safetyby StaffJune 4, 2026

Federal Transit Officials Launch MARTA Safety Probe

FTA has given MARTA 15 days to provide records on crime prevention, fare evasion enforcement, and security funding as part of a broader safety investigation.

Read More →
ABA testifies for federal bus regulations

ABA's Ferguson Testifies in Support of BUS Act, National Standards for Bus Operators

The BUSES Act would create a nationwide framework preventing state and local governments from enforcing bus idling restrictions of less than 15 minutes, a threshold consistent with existing Environmental Protection Agency guidance.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
World Cup Crowds Will Test Transit Systems
ManagementJune 3, 2026

When Routine Fails: How Public Transit Must Adapt for the World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will test transit agencies’ ability to manage unpredictable travel patterns, making real-time data and operational flexibility critical to moving millions of visitors efficiently.

Read More →
Jacksonville Transportation Authority America250 bus and transit van.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseJune 3, 2026

Florida’s JTA Puts Innovation in Motion Ahead of America250

The agency unveiled a commemorative America250 bus during a visit from U.S. DOT's Seval Oz and showcased its autonomous mobility programs.

Read More →
A rendering of a California High-Speed Rail vehicle
Railby StaffJune 2, 2026

California Selects Team for Nation’s First True High-Speed Rail Track and Systems Contract

The board action follows completion of track installation at the 150-acre southern railhead in Kern County, which will serve as the staging and distribution hub for high-speed track and systems installation.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Technologyby StaffJune 2, 2026

IndyGo, Cleveland RTA Expand Digital Fare Payment Options with Masabi

The new systems combine mobile apps, smart cards, and automatic fare capping to simplify payments, expand flexibility, and help riders access the lowest available fares.

Read More →