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 Keolis, Complete Coach Works, Anchor Transportation, and more partnerships making headlines across the transportation sector.

Kentucky’s Lextran, Via Launch On Demand Program

Lextran, in partnership with public transit technology provider Via, launched Lextran Connect, a new on-demand service that offers shared rides bookable through a mobile app.

Funded by the City of Lexington, the 12-month pilot project will run alongside Lextran's fixed-route buses to expand access to jobs, healthcare, and essential services in Northwest Lexington, according to officials.

Riders will request a trip in the Lextran Connect app 20 to 30 minutes before they are ready to leave, then walk to a designated location to meet their driver. Other passengers headed in the same direction may be picked up and dropped off along the way, which keeps rides fast and affordable. Trips to and from Lextran bus stops within the service zone are free, meaning riders can continue their trip on a Lextran bus route at no additional cost.

Keolis Doubles ISO 39001 Certifications Across U.S. Transit Portfolio

Keolis announced it doubled its ISO 39001-certified locations in 2026, with four existing certified locations also completing their annual surveillance audits.

Keolis continues to distinguish itself competitively through its commitment to internationally recognized management standards across all operations. Officials said the company is the only major public transportation operator in North America with this level of ISO 39001 certification across its operating network, providing a consistent framework for continuous improvement, accountability, and operational excellence.

The newly certified locations include Van Nuys in California, Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County in Nevada, Victor Valley Transit Authority in California, and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida.

In addition, Loudoun County and Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission in Virginia and California’s Orange County Transportation Authority and Foothill Transit all successfully passed their annual ISO 39001 surveillance audits.

Keolis officials said these actions reaffirm its ongoing commitment to maintaining the rigorous standards required for certification and to each employee's daily focus on road and passenger safety.

Anchor Transportation Acquires Kentucky's United Coach and Tour

Anchor Transportation purchased the assets of United Coach and Tour, a private label tour operator based in Morgantown, Kentucky, near Bowling Green.

The sale ends a search that began after United Coach and Tour founder Don Williams died a little over a year ago. Williams started the company in 1992 and ran it for 33 years. His wife, Kim Williams, took over and said her top priority was finding a buyer who would carry on her husband's commitment to customer service.

“That was always Don's number one priority, and I'm excited to hand this company to someone who will carry it forward the way he would have wanted,” she said in a press release.

The deal adds to Anchor's footprint across Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, and the broader Southeast. With United's fleet and staff added in, Anchor will operate more than 100 buses and employ about 150 people across multiple locations.

HDR to Deliver New BRT Line in the Twin Cities

Metro Transit selected HDR to provide engineering and construction administration services for the METRO H Line, a new bus rapid transit (BRT) line that will run from downtown Minneapolis to Sun Ray Transit Center on the east side of St. Paul. The selection continues HDR’s long partnership with Metro Transit as the agency expands its BRT network.

Metro Transit plans to establish a 165-mile bus rapid transit network consisting of 11 lines by 2035. The H Line will be the eighth arterial BRT line in the METRO network and aims to deliver faster, more reliable service.

The line’s recommended corridor plan identified 46 stations over a 17-mile corridor, with public feedback on station locations underway before detailed engineering begins. When operational, buses are planned to arrive every 10 minutes throughout the day.

HDR previously led work for Metro Transit on the METRO C, D and E Lines, contributed to the delivery of two additional lines, and is a partner on the METRO Bronze Line.

Complete Coach Works Awarded 24-Bus Refurbishment Project.

Valley Regional Transit (VRT) awarded Complete Coach Works (CCW) a contract in Meridian, Idaho, to refurbish 24 Gillig low-floor compressed natural gas (CNG) transit buses.

The project includes 12 35-foot and 12 40-foot Gillig CNG buses. The vehicles, ranging from model years 2011 through 2013, are equipped with Cummins Westport ISL G engines and Allison B400R transmissions.

Under the contract, CCW will perform a refurbishment designed to update major mechanical, interior, exterior, and accessibility systems across the fleet. The project will include significant component replacement and rebuilding, along with upgrades tailored to Valley Regional Transit’s operational requirements.

The project reflects CCW’s ability to provide fleet solutions that help transit agencies maximize their existing assets. Through extensive refurbishment, Valley Regional Transit can keep investing in its fleet while extending the useful life of vehicles already familiar to its operations, the company said.

Butterfly Flexible Seating Solutions to Acquire Napaway

Napaway Coach is being acquired by longtime partner Butterfly Flexible Seating Solutions (Butterfly Seating), bringing together the company behind the Butterfly-Motorcoach convertible seating system and the U.S. premium sleeper coach brand that helped bring the concept to market.

The acquisition marks the next phase in Butterfly's expansion across the North American motorcoach and railway market and further integrates its growing road, rail, and air seating operations.

Since its launch in the U.S. in 2022, Butterfly Seating has introduced a new approach to premium coach travel, combining two high-comfort passenger seats with a private lounge and a full lie-flat sleeper suite in a single flexible seating system. The company's patented convertible design lets operators adapt their vehicles to different passenger and service requirements without changing the underlying seating hardware, according to the company.

Butterfly-Motorcoach is designed specifically for over-the-road motorcoach applications in the U.S. and Canada. Operators can configure the 3-in-1 convertible seating as two premium seats, a private lounge, or a 78-inch lie-flat bed, allowing them to use the same vehicle for daytime services and sleeper operations, including sports and team travel, executive travel, entertainment touring, and premium charter services.