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 Modeshift, Trailways, MCI, and more partnerships making headlines across the transportation sector.

STV announced its selection by Amtrak to develop the preliminary design to replace Static Frequency Converter (SFC) #4 at the Richmond SFC Station in Philadelphia.

The facility is Amtrak’s largest traction power converter station and one of the largest railway converter stations in the world, playing a crucial role in powering Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor between Washington, D.C., New York, and Harrisburg.

STV’s scope will include a full site survey, infrastructure assessment, and state-of-good-repair review, followed by a technology evaluation. The team will prepare design criteria, drawings, technical specifications, and construction cost and schedule estimates for the next project phase.

The project requires close coordination with environmental and historical preservation stakeholders, as the station is located within a National Register boundary.

STV has supported Amtrak on several transformative programs, including design upgrades at Ivy City Yard in Washington, D.C.; project management and construction management (PM/CM) services for the Sawtooth Bridges Replacement project in Newark, New Jersey; vehicle procurement of the nation’s first battery-electric passenger rail vehicles in New York City for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority; and traction power and railway systems engineering for the largest infrastructure project in the United States, the Gateway Hudson River Tunnel Project.

Modeshift and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania’s rabbittransit, which operates under the Susquehanna Regional Transportation Authority (SRTA), launched rabbitPAY, a new account-based fare collection platform designed to make paying for mobility services easier, more flexible, and more affordable for riders across several Pennsylvania counties.

The rabbitPAY platform introduces mobile ticketing, reloadable smart cards, automatic fare capping, and real-time account management tools for riders using Capital Region, Gettysburg, Shippensburg, and York fixed-route services, as well as rabbitEXPRESS, Capital Region Commuter Routes, and Stop Hopper services.

Key Features of rabbittransit’s New Fare Collection System:

• Mobile App: Riders can download the rabbitPAY app for Apple or Android devices to purchase fares, manage their accounts, and validate tickets using QR codes directly from their smartphones.
• rabbitPAY Account: Riders can create personal profiles to manage travel, view past purchases, buy passes, and add funds to smart cards or digital wallets.
• Web Portal: Riders can also purchase fares, manage their accounts, and add funds through an online web portal.
• Smart Cards: A reloadable card option for those without mobile devices, which can be reloaded in person or online.
• Data-Driven Planning: The digital platform generates real-time usage insights to help rabbittransit optimize service, improve operations, and support future planning.

Modeshift's account-based platform also supports interoperability between transit agencies, creating future opportunities for seamless regional travel and simplified fare payments as additional agencies in the state modernize their systems.

Tucson, Arizona’s Diamond Transportation announced another major fleet expansion with the addition of MCI luxury motorcoaches and executive Mercedes-Benz Sprinter party buses.

The investment reflects the company's ongoing commitment to continuously modernizing its fleet while expanding capacity to serve growing demand throughout Phoenix, Tucson, Arizona, and destinations nationwide, officials said.

The expanded fleet of MCI motorcoaches increases the company's capacity to accommodate large charter bus groups, while the executive Mercedes-Benz Sprinter party buses provide premium transportation for corporate clients, weddings, VIP travelers, airport transfers, and private events.

Diamond Transportation provides transportation solutions for corporate meetings, conventions, airport transfers, executive and VIP travel, weddings, sporting events, school transportation, sightseeing tours, casino trips, and private group travel. Through its expanding fleet and nationwide affiliate network, the company coordinates everything from executive airport transfers to large multi-city conventions and nationwide charter bus tours.

When most people imagine a new light rail system, they picture sleek trains, modern stations, and the promise of easier commutes. Rarely do they think about the facility that makes every one of those trips possible.

To meet government demands for flexibility, scalability, and responsiveness across broad geographic areas, Trailways will support passenger transportation requirements over the life of this agreement.

Trailways was awarded a multi-year Department of Defense contract to provide passenger transportation services supporting government operations across the US.

The contract, which includes work through 2031, leverages Trailways’ nationwide network to support a broad range of mission requirements.

The multi-million-dollar award reflects Trailways’ unique ability to coordinate transportation resources across multiple regions while maintaining the safety, reliability, and operational standards required to support government customers. Through its network of more than 50 participating carriers, Trailways provides access to transportation assets and experienced operators throughout North America.

To meet government demands for flexibility, scalability, and responsiveness across broad geographic areas, Trailways will support passenger transportation requirements over the life of this agreement. The contract’s structure enables localized service delivery for diverse mission-support activities while maintaining centralized coordination and oversight.

Onward, an Assisted Transportation Network Company (TNC), in collaboration with Transdev, expanded Onward’s rideshare service, Companion Rides, across the full Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) paratransit service region.

 Companion Rides launched in the Dial-A-Ride (DAR) service area in February 2026, across key population hubs, to build elasticity and flexibility into the state’s fourth-largest paratransit program. Since the launch, Onward maintained a 99.1% ride fulfillment rate and is now expanding its coverage footprint to support DAR’s complete service area.

RTA paratransit-eligible riders can access Companion Rides through the standard RTA DAR scheduling system. Onward hires and trains a workforce of Federal Transit Administration (FTA)-compliant Companion Drivers to provide assisted door-to-door rides. The service meets the FTA compliance requirements for public transit contracts.

As the contracted operator supporting RTA’s DAR program, Transdev sought solutions that provided flexible capacity to address peak demand. The assisted rideshare service operates as a non-dedicated overflow service: when daily trip demand exceeds the capacity of the primary DAR fleet, Companion Rides fills the gap, according to officials.

Boingo Wireless deployed a neutral host distributed antenna system (DAS) and Wi-Fi network at the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) Pennsylvania Station (Penn Station).

Alongside high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity, the next-generation DAS network is designed to deliver enhanced 5G cellular service from Tier One carriers throughout the MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) concourse, providing reliable connectivity for mobile ticketing, the MTA TrainTime app, streaming services, emails, phone calls, text messaging, and E911 compliance.

The modernization of Penn Station is a commuter-first plan to transform the historic station into a first-class transit hub that better serves passengers with reliable connectivity, real-time passenger information systems, additional space, new retail and amenities, and improved accessibility options.

Boingo designed, constructed, and manages the converged wireless network, enabling seamless passenger mobile connectivity and connected operations — including security cameras, digital signage, public safety communication, and more.

The Richmond SFC Station is Amtrak’s largest traction power converter station and is crucial in powering the Northeast Corridor between Washington, D.C., New York, and Harrisburg.