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 WeDriveU, ENC, ELERTS, and more partnerships making headlines across the transportation sector.

ENC to Provide 32 Memphis Area Transit Authority Buses

ENC announced that the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) selected ENC to supply 32 AXESS 40-foot clean diesel transit buses. The new vehicles will replace existing buses in MATA's fleet and support regular fixed-route service throughout Memphis.

As one of the largest public transit operators in Tennessee, MATA transports residents in Memphis and parts of Shelby County on fixed-route buses, paratransit vehicles, and vintage rail trolleys, delivering more than 2.5 million rides per year.

The order is part of MATA’s aggressive effort to significantly accelerate replacement of its aging fleet and build a more dependable transit system. Nearly half of MATA’s fixed route fleet has more than 500,000 miles, with dozens of buses more than a decade old, underscoring the scale of the challenge and the need to move faster on fleet renewal. The ENC buses represent a significant investment in that effort, bringing American-built, Altoona-tested vehicles engineered for reliability and long-term value.

Trinity Metro, Baylor Scott & White collaboration advances TEXRail extension.

The Trinity Metro board authorized agreements with affiliates of Baylor Scott & White Health for property needed to construct and operate the new TEXRail station.

Under the agreements, Baylor Scott & White will donate approximately 1.76 acres for the permanent station site, a significant step toward extending TEXRail 2.1 miles from Fort Worth T&P Station into the district.

The Near Southside is one of Fort Worth’s largest employment centers, with tens of thousands of people working in the area and a significant concentration of medical jobs. Continued investment in health care, education, housing, and commercial development is reshaping the district and increasing its importance to Fort Worth and the region.

In addition to the donated station site, the agreements provide Trinity Metro access to property needed to support station infrastructure, including customer parking, a bus turnaround, and a station access road. The agreements also anticipate future development of the Baylor Scott & White campus while protecting long-term parking and access for Trinity Metro customers.

WeDriveU, Northwestern Celebrate 1st Anniversary for Hybrid-Electric Buses

WeDriveU and Northwestern University’s Transportation and Parking Department are celebrating the first anniversary of a sustainable transit bus fleet for Northwestern’s Evanston and Chicago campuses. September marks NU’s first-year milestone for 12 hybrid-electric Gillig buses introduced to create a greener, healthier, and more sustainable future.

The university announced that “the new buses are part of a broader initiative to modernize campus transportation while reducing environmental impact,” supporting sustainNU, a program aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050. The hybrid electric bus project launched under Northwestern’s 2024 extension of WeDriveU’s operations and management contract, which began in 2019.

Each hybrid electric bus is equivalent to removing three traditional diesel buses from the road, according to NU’s Sustainability team. The project is achieving impressive results in the first year:

• 520,000 passengers served.
• A 201-metric-ton reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.
• Nearly 20,000 gallons of diesel saved.

Southern California’s Metrolink, ELERTS Introduce Safe Ride App

Southern California’s Metrolink launched Safe Ride, a new mobile app that gives riders a quick, discreet way to report non-emergency safety and security concerns at stations and onboard trains.

Powered by ELERTS and separate from the existing Metrolink Mobile App, Metrolink Safe Ride is a convenient, real-time tool for alerting the agency’s Security Operations Center (SOC) to suspicious activity, unsafe conditions, and other non-emergency issues.

Metrolink Safe Ride is available through the Apple App Store or Google Play. Using the app, riders and the public can identify the type and location of an incident, provide details and, when safe and appropriate, include photos.

The launch of Metrolink Safe Ride coincides with See Tracks? Think Train Week, and also aligns with Rail Safety Month, held annually in September in California. All month long, Metrolink is reinforcing its year-round commitment to safety and encouraging safe behavior on and around railroad tracks through station activations, school and community outreach, and customer and employee education.

CCW Completes Midlife Refurbishment of 13 Long Beach Transit Buses

Complete Coach Works (CCW) announced the successful completion of the midlife refurbishment of 13 Long Beach (California) Transit (LBT) 2015 New Flyer Xcelsior 60-foot articulated CNG buses.

CCW completed the project at its Riverside, California facility as part of Long Beach Transit’s State of Good Repair Program, which focuses on maintaining fleet safety, reliability, and long-term performance. With the final bus completed, the refurbished vehicles are returning to LBT’s fleet to support service throughout Long Beach and surrounding communities.

As part of the completed scope of work, each articulated bus received a combination of mechanical, cosmetic, and system upgrades, including:

• Installation of Cummins L9N CNG “Near Zero” engines, replacing older ISL-G engines.
• Rebuilt the articulation joint to ensure smooth, reliable operation.
• Reupholstered passenger seating and refurbished the driver’s seat.
• Updated exterior lighting and mirrors and installed new aluminum wheels.
• Repainted the interior and exterior, including new decals.
• Recertified Amerex fire suppression systems.