Biz Briefs: Alexander Dennis, Tolar, and Wabtec

The latest agency/supplier news from England, California, and France.

MCI: J4500 Extends Two-Decade Run as North America’s Best-Selling Motorcoach

The company said it has remained the most widely purchased model in the new coach market across the US and Canada, according to historical data from the Motorcoach Builders Survey conducted by the American Bus Association

PennTex Industries Inc.

MCI celebrates 75 years

At the UMA Motorcoach Expo in San Francisco, MCI commemorated the building of its first coach in 1933.

Connex expands global network with rail operations Down Under

Connex's Australian transport network, which includes the Sydney Monorail, expanded with a contract to operate the Melbourne Commuter Rail Network.

NTSB urges D.C. Metro to install backup safety technologies

The NTSB recently wrapped its investigation of the crash site in August.

Andrew Young

Toronto Transit redesigns Metropass to help blind riders

The “clipped” edge at the top-left corner of the pass indicates the direction the pass needs to be swiped at a turnstile for smooth, fumble-free entry. The new design was advocated by the Advisory Committee on Accessible Transportation to assist blind and visually impaired transit users.

Colo. breaks ground on first rural U.S. BRT system

Roaring Fork Transportation Authority will operate the service, called VelociRFTA, which will connect workers who live in Roaring Fork Valley to local area resorts where the jobs are, about 40 miles away. The new service includes construction of nine bus stations and five park-and-ride facilities.