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What’s Really Inside a CapMetro Bus? These Public Companies Are Driving It
Why This Matters
CapMetro (Austin’s transit authority) buses aren’t just public transportation—they’re rolling portfolios of industrial-grade technology, quietly powered by companies you can buy stock in.
A lot of you won’t actually care too much about the CapMetro part, but as it stands, a fair amount of our viewers are actually Texans, so maybe some of y’all (not “you”) will care.
Whether you’re a casual transit user or a long-term investor, understanding who builds the machinery behind the motion is a smart way to track infrastructure opportunity.
Who Actually Builds CapMetro Buses?
Most of CapMetro’s buses are built by:
- Gillig (private)
- New Flyer (owned by NFI Group – TSE: NFI)
But these OEMs don’t make everything. They assemble the buses using parts from multiple publicly traded suppliers. Let’s break it down:
The Public Companies Hiding in a CapMetro Bus
1. Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI)
What they supply: Diesel and hybrid engines
Why it matters: Cummins is one of the most dominant engine providers in U.S. transit systems. CapMetro’s diesel and hybrid buses frequently use Cummins powertrains.
2. Allison Transmission (NYSE: ALSN)
What they supply: Automatic transmissions, hybrid drive systems
Why it matters: Allison is the leading supplier of heavy-duty transmissions for transit buses in North America.
CapMetro’s Gillig buses almost certainly include Allison’s B400R or B500R transmissions—especially in diesel and hybrid models.
Stock angle: High-margin, high-ROE industrial with ~20% FCF margins and deep municipal transit exposure.
3. Dana Inc. (NYSE: DAN)
What they supply: Axles, e-powertrain components
Why it matters: Dana supports the EV transition with e-axles and has legacy components in many hybrid platforms.
4. BorgWarner (NYSE: BWA)
What they supply: Thermal and electrification modules
Why it matters: Cooling, hybrid efficiency, and emission controls are all under their umbrella.
5. Aptiv (NYSE: APTV)
What they supply: Wiring harnesses, signal systems
Why it matters: Aptiv powers vehicle brains—from lighting to diagnostics—hidden in CapMetro’s under-the-hood infrastructure.
6. Sensata Technologies (NYSE: ST)
What they supply: Sensors (e.g. tire pressure, battery monitoring)
Why it matters: Public buses operate nonstop—they need real-time data on safety and system health.
7. Trimble Inc. (NASDAQ: TRMB)
What they supply: GPS, fleet tracking
Why it matters: CapMetro buses are digitally tracked for arrival times and efficiency—Trimble’s tools power the routing and real-time updates.
8. Siemens AG (OTCMKTS: SIEGY)
What they supply: Fare system tech, signal infrastructure
Why it matters: Beyond the bus itself, Siemens powers the transit ecosystem—from scheduling software to electrical coordination with city signals.
Bonus: Who’s Powering the EV Buses?
CapMetro has begun integrating electric buses, too. For those:
- ABB Ltd (OTCMKTS: ABB) – Charging stations and power management
- BYD (HK: 1211) – Some trial units, but currently rare in U.S. municipal systems
- Stem Inc. (NYSE: STEM) – Energy optimization, battery management in depot fleets
TL;DR – Buy the Bus… Portfolio?
Next time you step on a CapMetro bus, realize this:
You’re also stepping on Allison (ALSN) transmissions, Cummins (CMI) engines, Trimble (TRMB) GPS, and more.
The real alpha may be hiding in transit fleets, not flashy EV startups.
Investable Tickers Summary
| Company | Ticker | Role in CapMetro |
| Cummins | CMI | Engine systems |
| Allison Transmission | ALSN | Transmissions, hybrid drives |
| Dana Inc. | DAN | Axles, EV components |
| BorgWarner | BWA | Cooling, hybrid tech |
| Aptiv | APTV | Vehicle wiring, electronics |
| Sensata | ST | Sensor systems |
| Trimble | TRMB | GPS & fleet management |
| Siemens | SIEGY | Infrastructure, signal coordination |
| ABB Ltd | ABB | Charging infrastructure |
| Stem Inc. | STEM | Energy optimization |
DISCLAIMER: This analysis of the aforementioned stock security is in no way to be construed, understood, or seen as formal, professional, or any other form of investment advice. We are simply expressing our opinions regarding a publicly traded entity.
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