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, Masabi, and more partnerships making headlines across the transportation sector.

Master's Motors LLC launched a new line of shuttle buses designed specifically for government and commercial fleets. Built at the company's Kansas City headquarters, the MM23 and MM29 have completed safety testing and are now available nationwide.

The customizable models feature the industry's first major structural redesign in decades, with improvements aimed at enhancing safety, lowering maintenance costs, and addressing long-standing fleet challenges, according to the company.

Master’s Motors offers two new models: the traditional 23-foot option that meets most municipalities’ needs and a 29-foot shuttle for fleets that need extra space. The shuttles offer upgraded features in the standard package, including a 6061-T-6 aluminum cage construction joined at the floor and ceiling and aluminum track-style floor decking that supports multiple seat and wheelchair configurations.

A wider interior, uniform stepwell, plug-and-play electrical harnesses, and standard heated rear-view mirrors and backup cameras round out the design. The buses meet FMVSS 220 rollover protection standards and are fully ADA-compliant.

California’s San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) and Masabi launched Open Payments across RTD services.

Riders can now pay their fare simply by tapping a contactless payment card or using a mobile wallet on their phone with no ticket or reload required.

The launch marks another milestone in RTD’s commitment to innovation and convenience for its riders. Previously, RTD was the first agency in the pioneering EZHub/Vamos App network to install Masabi’s Justride Validators on board vehicles, setting a regional standard for fare modernization. Now, it is the first agency in the network to introduce Open Payments, delivering faster, easier, and more accessible transit experiences, officials said.

With fare capping automatically applied, riders will never pay more than $1.50 per day or $65 per month, ensuring equitable access to the best fares. Through account linking, riders can connect their contactless card to their account to access discounts or concessions, view trip and payment history, and manage preferences via the RTD’s JustRide web portal.

RTD serves Stockton, California, and surrounding communities, including Lodi, Manteca, Tracy, Ripon, Thornton, French Camp, and Lathrop. The agency operates 26 local fixed routes, including five BRT Express lines, providing efficient, sustainable transportation throughout the Central Valley.

The new CamTran PAY platform replaces legacy fare payment methods with digital tools that simplify fare purchasing, account management, and boarding, said officials.

Johnstown, Pennsylvania’s Cambria County Transit Authority (CamTran), in partnership with Modeshift, announced the launch of a new account-based fare collection platform across its transit network.

The modernized system introduces cashless fare payment options, including mobile ticketing and reloadable smart cards, along with real-time account management tools to enhance convenience, accessibility, and operational efficiency for riders throughout Cambria County.

The new CamTran PAY platform replaces legacy fare payment methods with digital tools that simplify fare purchasing, account management, and boarding, said officials. Riders can now purchase, manage, and validate fares using the CamTran PAY mobile app or a reloadable smart card, providing a faster, more flexible payment experience.

The fare collection platform also provides CamTran with real-time operational insights, reporting capabilities, and data analytics that support more informed planning, improved service delivery, and long-term system optimization, according to officials.

Monotch and California’s Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) announced a project to demonstrate TLEX cloud deployment, showing how real-time connected mobility services can be enabled using US traffic signal standards.

Both organizations are active members of the Coast2Coast (C2C) transatlantic collaboration. This project initiative was born of a C2C visit to the Netherlands, including CCTA leadership, during which the nationwide deployment of the TLEX platform was demonstrated, according to officials.

During the one-year live demonstration period, TLEX establishes a real-time, bidirectional connection with Cubic Traffic Light Controllers (TLCs) in accordance with US standards. The first phase of deployment focuses on creating technical prerequisites for connected mobility in a US environment, including intersection topology, real-time data exchange, and automated data quality control.

Building on this foundation, the second phase of the project also explores connected mobility use cases and operational functions, including Green Light Optimized Speed Advisory (GLOSA) / Time-to-Green (TTG), holistic priority and pre-emption, support for management and maintenance processes, and multi-jurisdictional capabilities.

The edition covers strategic partnerships, acquisitions, service expansions, and technology investments shaping the transportation industry.