Transit Unplugged
We share the stories, challenges, and successes of the top transit professionals from around the world. Learn how top transit leaders got to where they are with stories and insights from their careers. Get the inside story about public transit and transit trends from the people who run it. Transit Unplugged is hosted and produced by Paul Comfort and brought to you by Modaxo Learn more at https://transitunplugged.com/
S8 E23 · Wed, April 09, 2025
From Hydrogen to the World Cup: John Rossant on the Future of Mobility
In this episode of Transit Unplugged , Paul Comfort sits down with John Rossant , founder and CEO of CoMotion , to explore what’s next for cities, transit, and technology. From preparing for mega-events like the World Cup to pioneering hydrogen-powered aviation, John shares how CoMotion is helping shape the future of urban mobility—with a pasta recipe thrown in for good measure. They discuss: The evolving role of public-private partnerships in transit Why CoMotion Miami feels more like a tech summit than a transit conference How cities can creatively finance sustainable mobility as federal funds tighten And the global push toward hydrogen-powered transport—from Monaco to Miami 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 02:19 CoMotion: A Hub for Future Mobility 03:31 Comfort Food Cookbook and Personal Stories 05:19 Upcoming CoMotion Miami Conference 05:50 New Realities and Opportunities in Mobility 08:18 Public and Private Sector Collaboration 15:16 Mega Events and Transit Solutions 22:49 Hydrogen as the Future of Sustainable Mobility 28:32 Conclusion and Event Details 🎟️ Want to experience the future of mobility firsthand? Learn more and get your tickets to CoMotion Miami at: comotionmiami.com Don’t miss this insightful conversation at the intersection of innovation, policy, and pasta. Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo 🎙️ Host & Producer: Paul Comfort 🎧 Podcast Editor & Newsletter Guy: Chris O'Keeffe 💼 Executive Producer: Julie Gates Special thanks to: 🎨 Brand Design: Tina Olagundoye 📱 Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova Got a question or comment? Email us at info@transitunplugged.com Follow us: 🔗 LinkedIn 🪓 X (Twitter) 🧵 Threads 📸 Instagram 📰 Subscribe to the Transit Unplugged Newsletter: <a href="https://transitunplugged.com/subscribe-to-the-transit-unplugged-newsletter/" re
S8 E22 · Wed, April 02, 2025
Texas Transit Trends: Live from the Texas Transit Association Conference in McAllen
Please subscribe to our newsletter ! This week on Transit Unplugged , Paul Comfort hosts a special episode recorded live at the 2025 Texas Transit Association Conference in McAllen, Texas. In this roundtable, Paul speaks with five accomplished Texas transit leaders about the realities of running transit systems across Texas—from expansive rural regions to fast-growing cities. They share how they’re serving students, seniors, tourists, and workers alike—while facing challenges like extreme heat, limited funding, and changing rider expectations. Featured Panelists: Serena Stevenson – General Manager, Waco Transit System; Chair, Texas Transit Association Mario Delgado – Transit and Downtown Services Director, Metro McAllen Derrick Majchszak – CEO, Corpus Christi RTA Vince Huerta – Director of Transportation, ETCOG GoBus Allen Hunter – Executive Director, Texas Transit Association Highlights from the discussion: “10,000 square miles of service” – Vince Huerta shares how GoBus operates across 14 rural counties and how they’re building in-house maintenance capacity to improve service reliability. “From the islands to the military base” – Derrick Majchszak explains how Corpus Christi RTA connects barrier island workers, students, and military personnel across a sprawling service area. “We’re the bridge between urban and rural” – Serena Stevenson talks about integrating Waco’s fixed routes, microtransit, and university service to close first/last mile gaps. “We don’t feel like a small town” – Mariel Delgado details how Metro McAllen serves a growing cross-border population, offers university service to UTRGV (University of Texas Rio Grande Valley), and is planning for BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) and TOD (Transit-Oriented Development). “Invest in transit today for the system you want tomorrow” – The panel emphasizes the need for proactive funding, community partnerships, and creative solutions to meet Texas’ evolving mobility needs. From bus stop design to funding advocacy, and from C
S8 E21 · Wed, March 26, 2025
Optimal Mix: Light Rail vs. Bus Rapid Transit with Professor Niels van Oort
Join Paul Comfort on this episode of Transit Unplugged for an insightful conversation with Professor Niels van Oort, Associate Professor of Public Transport and Shared Mobility at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands and co-director of the Smart Public Transport Lab. Paul and Niels explore critical considerations in transit planning, including the effectiveness of light rail versus bus rapid transit (BRT), integration with cycling and micro-mobility, and global best practices for creating high-quality transit systems. Niels shares details about his innovative transportation planning game designed to help students and professionals balance various mobility modes and societal goals. He also discusses the benefits, challenges, and appropriate contexts for implementing light rail and BRT systems, emphasizing the importance of seamless integration with active transport modes like cycling. Course—Planning Public Transport Services: https://ppts-course.org/ Serious game ‘Finding the optimal mix’ : https://deoptimalemix.nl/en/ Light Rail Transit Systems; 61 Lessons in Sustainable Urban Development: https://shop.elsevier.com/books/light-rail-transit-systems/der-bijl/978-0-12-814784-9 Better buses: BRT and other bus modes: https://www.ovmagazine.nl/boeken/betere-bus Weblog public transport research output: https://nielsvanoort.weblog.tudelft.nl/ Smart Public Transport Lab: <s
S8 E20 · Wed, March 19, 2025
Mobility Redefined: Exploring Global Transit Trends with Dr. Kaan Yildizgöz
In this special episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort welcomes Dr. Kaan Yildizgöz, host of Mobility Redefined, the new sister podcast of Transit Unplugged. Dr. Yildizögz, a leading global expert in public transportation and former senior director at UITP, shares his personal journey into transportation, driven by childhood memories in his father's bus workshop, and his academic expertise in ride-hailing and mobility. Paul and Kaan dive into global mobility trends, exploring key issues such as decarbonization of bus fleets, resilience in transit governance and funding, digitalization, and workforce challenges across Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America. Discover how transportation leaders worldwide tackle these universal challenges with innovative solutions and best practices. Also in this episode, communication experts Rebecca Klein and Keith Scott offer practical strategies for navigating change management, emphasizing the power of active listening and consistent messaging to guide teams effectively through transitions. Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com Host: Paul Comfort Producer: Paul Comfort Producer: Chris O'Keeffe Media Support: Cyndi Raskin Executive Producer: Julie Gates Special Thanks To Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova Transit Unplugged Newsletter & Media Support: Cyndi Raskin Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this presentation, from any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken in response to it.
S8 E19 · Wed, March 12, 2025
Exploring Tucson's Transit Future with Mikel Oglesby
Take a behind-the-scenes look at Tucson, Arizona’s SunTran transit system with General Manager Mikel Oglesby. Host Paul Comfort and Mikel explore the city’s transit modes, budget, and future projects, including the innovative Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) plans. Discover Mikel's unique journey in public transit, from his childhood riding buses with his father to becoming a leader in the industry. The episode also features insightful discussions on alternative fuel technologies, fare-free systems, and the nuances of managing a large transit agency. Plus, get tips on career resilience and effective communication from experts Rebecca Klein and Keith Scott. Don’t miss this enriching episode filmed on location during the Southwest Transit Association Conference 2025. Listen now! 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:02:00 - Exploring Tucson's Transit System 00:04:00 - Fare-Free Transit and Future Plans 00:08:00 - Innovative Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project 00:14:00 - Career Resilience and Communication Tips 00:19:00 - Introduction to Mikel Oglesby 00:20:00 - Mikel's Early Career in Transit 00:23:00 - Achievements at Sunline Transit Agency 00:25:00 - Transition to TriRail and Detroit 00:29:00 - Current Role and Future Plans in Tucson 00:31:00 - Impact of FTA Changes and Industry Predictions 00:33:00 - Southwest Transit Association Conference Credits: Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com Host: Paul Comfort Producer: Paul Comfort Writer: Cyndi Raskin Executive Producer: Julie Gates Special thanks to: Brand design: Tina Olagundoye Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova Transit Unplugged Newsletter & Media Support: Cyndi Raskin Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this presentation, from any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken in response to it.
S8 E18 · Wed, March 05, 2025
Inside Amtrak: Growth, Modernization, and High-Speed Rail with CEO Stephen Gardner
In this episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort interviews Stephen Gardner, CEO of Amtrak, at their Washington, DC headquarters. They discuss Amtrak's record ridership of 32.8 million passengers in the past year, recent capital investments totaling $4.5 billion, and the introduction of new Acela trains. Gardner shares insights into Amtrak's strategy to double ridership by 2040, high-speed rail initiatives, and the unique structure of Amtrak as a federally-owned yet commercially-operated entity. Key projects such as the Frederick Douglass Tunnel in Baltimore and the upcoming Gulf Coast service are also highlighted, along with Amtrak's approach to modernizing and expanding its network. The episode concludes with a look into the future of rail travel and the importance of strategic partnerships. 00:00 Welcome to Transit Unplugged 00:05 Introduction to today's episode from host Paul Comfort 01:24 Interview with Stephen Gardner 01:34 Stephen Gardner's Background and Role at Amtrak 03:03 Understanding Amtrak's Unique Structure 07:42 Amtrak's Business Model and Operations 13:23 Challenges and Opportunities in Rail Expansion 23:02 High-Speed Rail and Future Projects 27:18 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Next week on Transit Unplugged, Paul chats with Mikel Oglesby, General Manager of SunTran, SunRail, and SunLink, in Tucson, AZ. Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com Host: Paul Comfort Producer: Paul Comfort Writer: Cyndi Raskin Executive Producer: Julie Gates Special thanks to: Brand design: Tina Olagundoye Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova Transit Unplugged Newsletter & Media Support: Cyndi Raskin Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this presentation, from any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken in response to it.
S8 E17 · Wed, February 26, 2025
A Lifetime in the Business of Moving People with Tom Drozt
After decades at transit agencies across the U.S., Tom Drozt decided at 56 to retire, spend time with his family, work on his yard, and find some new passions to put his energy into. Turns out transit is his passion, so before long he was out of retirement and at MARTA in Atlanta running bus operations. Now the CEO of Ben Franklin Transit in Southern Washington State, Tom is leading the agency with his people-first leadership style and helping people choose transit over cars. Coming up next week we have Stephen Gardner, CEO of Amtrak, talking with Paul about the historic investments Amtrak is making to bring rail travel to the fore in the U.S. And don’t forget to have your say in our Transit Unplugged listener survey. Just visit https://transitunplugged.com/survey/ to complete the short survey. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:05 Interview with Tom Drozt, CEO of Ben Franklin Transit 00:23 Tom's Background and Early Career 03:13 Career Challenges and Transitions 07:50 Joining Ben Franklin Transit 17:20 Current Initiatives and Projects 21:43 Leadership Philosophy and Future Vision 24:52 Conclusion and thank you 25:07 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - Facebook Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this presentation, from any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken in response to it.
S8 E16 · Wed, February 19, 2025
Brisbane’s Dynamic Transit System with City Councillor Ryan Murphy
In this episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort interviews Ryan Murphy, the Chair of the City Council's Transportation Committee in Brisbane, while riding one of Brisbane’s famous CityCat ferries to talk about the vibrant and evolving transit system in this river city. Episode Highlights: CityCat Ferries: Discover the unique CityCat ferry service that operates along the Brisbane River, connecting 22 stations and carrying about 5 million passengers annually. Ryan shares how this service has become a beloved part of the city's tourism and commuter landscape. Innovative Metro Project: Learn about the groundbreaking Brisbane Metro project, featuring double articulated electric buses designed to alleviate congestion and enhance the capacity of the city's busway system. Ryan discusses the integration of these high-tech vehicles and their role in transforming Brisbane's public transport. Bus Rapid Transit (BRT): Ryan explains how Brisbane's extensive bus network, supported by dedicated busways, serves as the backbone of the city's transit system. He highlights the city's efforts to improve bus-to-rail connections and the significant reforms underway ahead of the 2032 Olympics. Historical and Future Growth: From its origins as a port city to its current status as a bustling metropolis, Brisbane's transit system has continually evolved. Ryan provides insights into the city's plans for future growth, including the Cross River Rail project and the ambitious goals set for the upcoming Olympics. And don’t forget to catch Ryan, the city of Brisbane, and all the projects he talked about in the latest episode of Transit Unplugged TV on YouTube: https://youtu.be/M04d9d-xpzk Have your say in the Transit Unplugged listener survey! It only takes a few minutes and we greatly appreciate your help and feedback. https://transitunplugged.com/survey/ 00:00 Introduction to Ryan Murphy and Brisbane's Transport 00:38 Exploring Brisbane's Ferry System 05:14 Brisbane's Bus Network and BRT System 07:38 Personal Message from Paul... 08:17 Brisbane Metro: The Future of Public Transport 12:12 Rail Developments and the 2032 Olympics 15:06 Ryan Murphy's Background and Vision 16:21 Australia's Public Transport Priorities 17:59 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - <a href="h
Bonus · Fri, February 14, 2025
Electrifying Chile’s Transport: A Conversation with Transport Minister Juan Carlos Muñoz
This is a special episode of Transit Unplugged from our sister podcast, Mobility Redefined. Learn more about this great new show on their website: https://mobilityredefined.com/ . Below are the original show notes for the episode: In this episode of Mobility Redefined, host Dr. Kaan Yildizgoz speaks with Juan Carlos Muñoz, Chile’s Minister of Transport and Telecommunications, about the nation’s journey to sustainable mobility. They discuss Chile’s ambitious 2050 carbon neutrality goal, the electrification of Santiago’s world-leading bus fleet, and efforts to expand these innovations nationwide. Minister Muñoz shares insights on integrating sustainable urban planning with initiatives like “15-minute cities” and highlights the transformative impact of electric buses on accessibility, user experience, and emissions reduction. The conversation also explores strategies for tackling fare evasion, the importance of governance in transport systems, and the role of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in creating efficient, flexible networks. Chile’s global leadership in transport innovation offers valuable lessons for cities worldwide, from decarbonisation to inclusive urban design. Episode Highlights: • Chile’s Carbon Neutrality Goal: Minister Muñoz discusses Chile’s pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and the transport sector’s pivotal role. • Electrification Success Story: Santiago boasts the largest electric bus fleet outside China, with plans for nationwide expansion. • Buses as a Catalyst for Change: Electric buses improve service quality, reduce operational costs, and elevate user experience with features like air conditioning, USB ports, and Wi-Fi. • Governance and Regulation: Insights into how effective policies ensure reliable and affordable transport, addressing funding challenges and fostering innovation. • Tackling Fare Evasion: Multifaceted strategies, from turnstiles to digital payment options, are helping reduce fare evasion rates in Santiago. • Urban Sustainability Vision: Beyond electrification, Minister Muñoz emphasises the importance of shorter trips, integrated systems, and 15-minute cities for a sustainable future. • The Role of BRT Systems: Reflections on Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) as a flexible and cost-effective solution complementing metro networks. Key Takeaways: • Transforming public transport not only improves urban mobility but also contributes to better health, safety, and equity. • Strong governance, stakeholder collaboration, and citizen engagement are essential for sustainable mobility initiatives. • Chile offers valuable lessons for global cities striving to enhance their public transport systems. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Mobility Redefined 00:25 Meet Minister Juan Carlos Muñoz
S8 E15 · Wed, February 12, 2025
Australian Women in Public Transport
In this special episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort and co-host Kelly Chapman highlight the inspiring stories of four remarkable women leaders in Australian public transport. This is the third of five episodes coming from Paul’s recent 10-day tour of Australia. Don’t forget to also check out Transit Unplugged TV on YouTube for the TV episodes as well. First, we hear from Lauren Streifer, Executive Director of the Public Transport Association of Australia and New Zealand (PTAANZ). Lauren's infectious energy and passion for public transport shine through as she discusses her ambitious goals for the industry, including her efforts to promote sustainability. Next, Jamie-Lee Owen, Chair of PTAANZ's Emerging Mobility Leaders, shares her dedication to championing young professionals in the industry, emphasizing the importance of diversity and mentorship in shaping the future of public transport. Katie Cooper, CEO of Metro Tasmania, brings a wealth of experience from her background in aviation to her current role, where she is leading innovative zero-emission bus trials. Katie's commitment to integrating her aviation expertise into public transport operations is truly inspiring. Finally, Michelle Batsas, Executive Director of Government and Stakeholder Relations at Yarra Trams, discusses her new role and her lifelong passion for trams. Michelle, who was recently awarded the Women in STEM award for mentoring, continues to advocate for female representation in the industry, highlighting the importance of diversity and inclusion at all levels. Tune in to hear these powerful stories and learn about the incredible work being done to promote women in public transport in Australia. Coming up next week we have the final episode from Australian with a special tie-in to the current episode of Transit Unplugged TV from Brisbane. Brisbane City Councillor Ryan Murphy tells Paul all about Brisbane’s ferry system, light rail, and how his role as Chair of the Transportation Committee helps promote and support transit throughout the city. 00:00 Introduction and Overview of the Episode 01:03 Highlighting Women Leaders in Australian Transport 06:15 Lauren Streifer CEO, PTAANZ 07:20 Jamie-Lee Owen, Chair, PTAANZ Emerging Mobility Leaders 10:31 Katie Cooper CEO, Metro Tasmania 14:35 Michelle Batsas, Executive Director of Government and Stakeholder Relations, Yarra Trams 36:22 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes 38:19 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - <a href="https://
S8 E14 · Wed, February 05, 2025
Transportation Shakeup: New Rules that Could Impact TNCs
In 2016, Brad Miller, CEO of the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA), had an idea. What if subsidized rides with Transportation Networking Companies (TNCs) like Uber and Lyft could help people in his community get where they needed to go. What if you could get a subsidized Uber ride at the end of your overnight shift when regular transit isn’t running and be able to get home safely? This revolution in public transit and was seen as a model for transit innovation and quickly spread across the country. The next logical question was then: could we do the same for paratransit and offer better service to those riders and even at a lower cost? The answer was yes. And now across the U.S., paratransit riders can book a ride at the last minute—just like non-disabled people can—to get where they need to go. But all that could come crashing to a halt if proposed changes to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) rules about using TNCs in public transit come into effect. This episode features Brad and other experts talking about how TNCs have helped the disabled community and what the impact on people’s lives will be if transit agencies have to stop using Uber and Lyft for paratransit and other on-demand rides. Featured Guests: • Brad Miller: CEO of the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) in Florida. Brad shares his pioneering work in integrating TNCs into paratransit services, highlighting the significant benefits and cost savings achieved. He also discusses the looming threat posed by new Federal regulations that could disrupt these services. • Dr. Judy Shanley: National Director of Transportation, Mobility, and Youth at the National Office of Easterseals. Judy brings her extensive experience in advocating for individuals with disabilities and emphasizes the importance of innovative paratransit solutions. She voices concerns about how the proposed regulations could limit transportation options for people with disabilities. • Alex Elegudin: CEO of Wheeling Forward and former Accessibility Chief at the New York City MTA. Alex provides a legal and advocacy perspective, detailing his efforts to improve accessibility in transportation. He discusses his recent Newsweek article that highlights the challenges and potential setbacks of the proposed regulatory changes. • Jen Shepherd: Head of Uber's Global Transit Business. Jen explains Uber's role in supporting transit agencies and the potential consequences of the new regulations on Uber's ability to provide paratransit services. She underscores the safety measures Uber has in place and the broader implications for mobility if these services are curtailed. Link to the proposed rule changes on the U.S. Federal Register: https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FTA-2024-0020 Coming up next week, we have the fourth of five episodes Paul recorded while visiting Australia. This week we feature just a few of the amazing women leading public transit in Australia
S8 E13 · Wed, January 29, 2025
Transforming Australia’s Railways with Steve Butcher
In this week’s episode, host Paul Comfort sits down with Steve Butcher, Executive General Manager of Rail and Transport for John Holland. Paul and Steve caught up at the AusRail conference in Brisbane while Paul was on his 10-day tour of Australia. Steve shares his extensive career journey, starting at British Rail at age 16 all the way up to his current job at John Holland and dives into managing Yarra Trams, the Gold Coast Railway, and the Sydney Metro. "Transforming lives through railways is what drives me every day." - Steve Butcher Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged we have a special panel on Transportation Networking Companies (TNCs) and public transit with Dr. Judy L. Shanley, Ph.D. National Director, Transportation, Mobility, & Youth Transition at Easterseals; Alex Elegudin, CEO of Wheeling Forward; Jen Shepherd General Manager of Uber Transit; and Brad Miller CEO of Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority. 00:00 Introduction to Steve Butcher 00:26 Steve Butcher's Career Journey 00:53 John Holland Group's Major Projects 01:56 Gold Coast Light Railway and Yarra Trams 04:38 Sydney Metro and Tunnel Boring 07:26 Yarra Trams Joint Venture 11:57 Post-Pandemic Rail Trends 14:43 Australia's Investment in Public Transport 17:30 Steve Butcher's Personal Background 20:03 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - Facebook Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this present
S8 E12 · Wed, January 22, 2025
Ned Freeman and UZURV Helping Communities One Ride at a Time
Ned Freeman joins host Paul Comfort to talk about UZURV and how it's changing how paratransit is delivered in the U.S. UZURV is an adaptive Transportation Network Company (TNC) that gives transit agencies more options for delivering paratransit in their communities. Ned and Paul talk about how UZURV uses its technology to offer on-demand, ADA compliant, and cost-effective paratransit solutions. UZURV’s model combines the flexibility of solutions like Uber, with all the regulatory rigor of an internal solution. You can learn more about UZURV on their website https://uzurv.com/ Coming up next week, we have the third of five episodes Paul recorded while visiting Australia. This week we feature just a few of the amazing women leading public transit in Australia and joining Paul, special co-host Kelly Chapman. 00:00 Why Paratransit Matters 00:19 Evolution of Paratransit Services 01:38 Interview with Ned Freeman, CEO of UZURV 01:49 Challenges and Innovations in Paratransit 04:29 UZURV's Role and Impact 20:42 Future of Paratransit 23:47 Ned Freeman's Background and UZURV's Team 28:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 28:34 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - Facebook Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this presentation, from any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken in response to it.
S8 E11 · Wed, January 15, 2025
How the FTA Supports Transit Across the U.S. with Acting FTA Administrator Veronica Vanterpool
In a Transit Unplugged exclusive, Paul talks with Veronica Vanterpool, Acting Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) about the inner workings of the FTA, how the Regional Administrators help set priorities and connect agencies with funding, the transformative developments in public transportation over the past four years, and Veronica’s vision for transit in 2025. In the U.S., the FTA is responsible for large-scale oversight, rule-making, and, most importantly, funding for transit agencies across the country. The historic $15.5 billion in funding for transit has helped jumpstart and complete projects across the U.S., but as the Trump Administration enters the White House, what will happen with future funding tranches, especially for low-no emissions programs? Find out this week on Transit Unplugged. Next week on the show we have Ned Freeman, CEO of UZURV, talking about how his company is changing lives, one ride at a time. 00:00 Introduction to the show and Veronica Vanterpool 01:03 Introduction and Welcome 01:14 Challenges and Achievements in Public Transportation 02:08 Role of Public Transportation in Crisis 04:09 Federal Transit Administration's Mission and Structure 06:00 Funding and Support for Transit Projects 07:42 Congestion Pricing and Capital Investments 11:03 Accessibility and Inclusivity in Public Transit 13:36 Low and No Emission Grants 15:40 Support for Tribal and Rural Transit 19:08 Structure and Role of the FTA 25:15 Veronica Vanterpool's Background and Career 29:04 Conclusion and Future Outlook 31:18 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - Facebook Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellec
S8 E10 · Wed, January 08, 2025
In conversation with transit legend Howard Collins
This week we are proud and excited to share an interview with a true public transit legend: Howard Collins, OBE. Howard's remarkable 47 year career has taken him from London's Tube and Sydney's trains to leading transit for the state of New South Wales in Australia. Howard sat down with Paul to talk and reflect on not just where transit has been, but where it's going with workforce development, funding, and making transit just better for everyone. This is a don't-miss interview you can draw insight and inspiration from no matter where in the world you are. Speaking of don't-miss interviews, next week we have Acting FTA Administrator Veronica Vanterpool talking with Paul about the changes in transit over the past four years and what the future could hold in the years ahead. Make sure you subscribe or follow Transit Unplugged wherever you listen so you don't miss an episode. 00:05 Welcome to Transit Unplugged and introducing our guest, Howard Collins OBE 00:45 Howard Collins' Career Journey 01:54 Current Role and Responsibilities 03:53 Innovations and Workforce Diversity 06:53 Public Transport Challenges and Solutions 10:30 Future of Transport in Australia 14:55 Career Advice for Mid-Level Managers 17:50 Advice for Senior Leaders and CEOs 19:57 Local Manufacturing and Future Projects 22:36 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - Facebook Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the u
S8 E9 · Tue, December 31, 2024
Transportation Trends That Will Shape 2025 with Rudy Salo
In this special New Year's Eve episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul is joined by transportation expert and futurist Rudy Salo to discuss what's going to shape the entire transportation sector in 2025. From robotaxis and EVs to autonomous vehicles, Rudy shares his thoughts on transportation in Los Angeles even before the Olympics start. Rudy also explains how a little-known facet of municipal bonds could threaten transit projects across the U.S. We kick off 2025 with the second of Paul's episodes from Australia and a true transportation legend Howard Collins, OBE. Howard talks with Paul about everything he's learned in his 47 year career, the things he's most excited about now, and what Australia needs to do to boost transit use. More about Rudy... The Commute: https://thecommute.substack.com/ Forbes.com: https://www.forbes.com/sites/rudysalo/ Good Is In The Details Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/01sSTIkORzkvRLW3DW6lZJ?si=cc0325a14fd74acd The views expressed in this podcast are personal opinions and do not represent the views or policies of Nixon Peabody LLP. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional advice. 00:00 Welcome to the New Year's Eve Special 00:23 Exciting Future of Transportation in 2025 01:10 Robo Taxis and Electric Vehicles 02:45 LA Metro and Olympic Preparations 05:11 Challenges and Innovations in LA Transit 11:27 Autonomous Vehicles and Public Transit 16:33 The Importance of Municipal Bonds 21:13 Entertainment and Transportation 27:27 The Future of Public Transit: Fueling, Funding, and Faring 36:34 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/
S8 E8 · Tue, December 24, 2024
A Transit Unplugged Special: Looking back at 2024 and ahead to 2025
We're turning the tables on host Paul Comfort this week with guest host and Transit Unplugged Executive Producer Julie Gates interviewing Paul on the best of 2024 from Transit Unplugged, what to watch for in 2025, and what they are thankful for. This is also our first video podcast on the podcast! You can watch the video version on YouTube and Spotify, and listen to the audio version everywhere else (the audio-only version will also be on YouTube). Let us know what you think of this new format in the comments on YouTube and Spotify. We're going to close out 2024 on New Year's Eve with transit futurist Rudy Salo giving Paul his thoughts on the big trends that will influence transit next year and beyond. 00:00 Introduction to Transit Unplugged from Paul Comfort 00:15 Julie Gates Interviews Paul Comfort 01:06 Lessons from Running for Public Office 02:46 Highlights of 2024 06:18 Insights from Washington, D.C. 11:53 The Three Fs of Transit 14:13 End of Year Reflections and Gratitude 18:13 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - Facebook Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this presentation, from any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken in response to it.
S8 E7 · Wed, December 18, 2024
Public Transport in Australia: Turning Points, New Trends, and Big Transformations
We're kicking off the first of five podcast episodes from Paul's 10-day trip to Australia. First up, we have John Storms of Transit Systems Victoria and Mark Peters of Transit Systems Australia giving us an overview of transit in Australia and their plans for the future. Much like North America, Australia has cities surrounded by sprawling, low-density suburbs that are challenging for any public transit system to serve. In their separate interviews with Paul, John and Mark talk frankly about these challenges and what needs to be done to address them. Coming up next week we have the first of two holiday specials on Transit Unplugged. First, we're turning the tables on Paul with our own award-winning radio journalist, Julie Gates, interviewing him for a change. Paul talks about the highlights from 2024 and what's ahead for 2025. Because Christmas falls on a Wednesday this year, we're releasing the episode a day early on Tuesday (Christmas Eve). We'll do the same the following week, with an episode coming out on New Year's Eve instead of New Year's Day. 00:00 Introduction and Overview of the Australian Trip 00:20 Exploring Melbourne and Hobart 00:38 Brisbane and Upcoming Podcasts 02:50 Interview with John Storms 02:58 Focus on People and Accessibility Initiatives 06:58 Hydrogen and Electric Bus Innovations 08:11 John Storms' Background and Melbourne's Growth 11:05 Interview with Mark Peters: Transit Trends and Zero Emissions 11:16 Interview with Mark Peters 19:01 Technology and Innovation in Transit 20:39 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - Facebook Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides
S8 E6 · Wed, December 11, 2024
Are we creating enough future transit leaders?
Sometimes the difference between winning and losing is your bench. The people you can call on to step up and win the game, finish the project, or get it done when your usual players can't. That's a strong bench. People you know who can step into the shoes of current leaders and be the next ones. By 2030 all baby boomers will be 65 or older and preparing to retire. So who is going to replace them? According to this week's guest, Matt Booterbaugh, CEO of RATP Dev USA, we don't have a strong bench to step in when current leaders step down, and Matt has some ideas how to fix it. Paul and Matt also talk about the general state of transit, funding challenges, progress towards zero emission buses, and Matt's thoughts on coming from outside transit. Next week on the show, we have the first in a series of interviews from Paul's 10-day tour of Australia. First up, we have John Storms, Managing Director at Transit Systems in the State of Victoria, and Mark Peters, Executive General Manager, E Mobility and Fleet Innovation at Transit Systems for all of Australia. They'll be talking about transit in Australia overall, their strides in expanding their workforce, accessibility, and the transition to zero emissions buses. Don't forget, our year end wrap up shows are coming up! First, on Christmas Eve, we have Paul and Transit Unplugged News Minute's Julie Gates, with a look back and a look ahead in transit. And then, on New Year's Eve, we have Rudy Salo, transit futurist and attorney talking with Paul about the year ahead and beyond for transit and mobility. 00:05 Introduction from host, Paul Comfort 01:21 Interview with Matt Booterbaugh, CEO of RATP Dev USA 01:33 Current Trends in Public Transportation 02:58 Global Experience and Local Impact 03:23 Company Background and Growth 05:07 Matt's Personal Journey 07:18 Public vs. Private Sector Jobs 09:02 Industry Challenges and Future Outlook 12:44 Leadership in Transit 16:05 New Year's Resolutions 16:58 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - Facebook Sign up for the
S8 E5 · Wed, December 04, 2024
Crafting Connectivity: Ben Limmer’s Vision for Public Transport
In this episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort sits down with Ben Limmer, Chief of Public Transportation for the Connecticut Department of Transportation. They talk about what it takes to run a massive statewide transit agency with a billion-dollar budget that is a critical part of the Northeast Corridor from Boston to Washington D.C. Paul and Ben talk about Ben's career journey--like many of us, he fell into transit accidentally--and how several important mentors shaped his career. Ben talks about Connecticut's major transportation projects, including investments in infrastructure, electrification programs, and bus network revamps. Ben and Paul wrap the conversation with a discussion about what's going to be important to transit in the next few years. Tune in for this insightful chat about the present and future of transit in Connecticut. Coming up next week on the show we have Matt Booterbaugh, CEO of transit contractor RAPT Dev USA. Talking about the role of contracting in transit and his secret to fill the bench with future transit leaders. 00:00 Introduction from host Paul Comfort 00:17 Meet Ben Limmer: Chief of Public Transportation 02:13 Big Projects and Responsibilities at CTDOT 06:38 Career Journey and Mentorship 14:56 Referendums and Public Support 16:35 Future of Public Transportation 18:52 Conclusion and Future Plans 19:15 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - Facebook Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any
S8 E4 · Wed, November 27, 2024
Eileen Collins Turvey TriMet’s Innovation Trailblazer
Paratransit is the most expensive mode transit agencies in North America provide, so finding ways to save money and better serve the community is paramount. One way to do that is offer a bare-bones, only-what's-mandated service; which saves money, but underserves a vulnerable population. The other way is to get smart, to get innovative. And that's exactly what Eileen Collins Turvey of Portland's TriMet did, and it paid off because she won the 2024 APTA Innovation Award for her pilot program giving paratransit customers Instacart Plus memberships. It costs about $150 round trip for someone to use paratransit to go to the store. And they have to book ahead of time and can only bring two bags back from the store. But what if people could just have their groceries delivered instead? In her pilot, Eileen gave $10/mo Instacart Plus memberships to paratransit customers to let them buy groceries and have them delivered whenever they need from over 55 stores. How's it working? TriMet is saving $1500 per month per person and if the program is expanded to just half of their paratransit customers they could save $9 million per year. In her conversation with host Paul Comfort, Eileen also talks about her personal connection to paratransit and her vision for what paratransit could and should be. Tune in for this awesome interview with a true trailblazer. And if you'd like to learn more about it, Eileen provided us with a link to all her information and materials about the program . (text link: https://nextcloud.trimet.org/index.php/s/nyTqwgzefiGbNTB) Coming up next week we head to Connecticut and hear from Ben Limmer, Chief of Public Transportation at Connecticut Department of Transportation and learn about their revitalization programs. 00:00 Introduction 00:59 Our guest: Eileen Collins Turvey 02:35 Winning the APTA Innovation Award 04:39 The Instacart Program: Concept and Implementation 05:59 Challenges and Solutions 10:47 Program Impact and Future Prospects 13:18 The Broader Vision for Paratransit 18:26 Final Thoughts 19:44 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/transitunpluggedmedia" rel="n
S8 E3 · Wed, November 20, 2024
Post-Election Impact Unplugged with SWTA
This episode of Transit Unplugged, brought to you in conjunction with the South West Transit Association (SWTA), tackles a big question after the U.S. election: what does it mean for transit? Rich Sampson, Executive Director of SWTA, and Becca Green, their Legislative Committee Chair and Chief Communications Officer at Rock Region METRO, provide a comprehensive legislative update for listeners. Key topics discussed include: transit's success at the ballot box the reauthorization of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (IIJA) expected future federal transit funding regulatory relief efforts Rich and Becca give practical strategies for effective advocacy with elected leaders, especially in light of new administration and Congressional dynamics. They emphasize building strong relationships with elected officials and underscore transit as a non-partisan issue benefiting all constituents. Coming up next week we'll have Eileen Collins Turvey talking about her innovative programs in Portland, OR that could save millions of dollars and help people lead healthier lives. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:25 Legislative Update Overview 03:07 Transit Ballot Initiatives Success 06:05 Federal Transit Funding and Appropriations 13:25 Regulatory Relief and Workforce Development 18:00 Vehicle Supply and Cost Issues 28:49 Advocacy and Relationship Building 36:08 Q&A Session 49:02 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - Facebook Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims
S8 E2 · Wed, November 13, 2024
Enhancing the Transit Experience with Stephen Tu: Innovations at LA Metro
For people to want to ride transit, they need to feel safe. And feeling safe is more than just physical safety, it's a perception. A perception based on cleanliness, vandalism, anti-social behaviors, loitering, open drug use, fare jumping; things that create a feeling of disorder on top of actual physical safety. This was a huge problem in LA overall, so they decided to do something about it. On this episode Paul talks with Stephen Tu, the Deputy Executive Officer for Station Experience at LA Metro on how they did it first at one station and are now expanding the changes system-wide. Some of the programs they talk about are: Tap-to-exit program on fare gates Open elevator doors Smart restrooms, Ambient noise in parking garages and classical music in stations Stephen talks about the results and the tremendous difference these efforts have made. The pilot tests were so successful that Stephen is in the process of rolling these tactics across the entire LA Metro subway system. But these tactics are only one side of the issue, Stephen also talks about LA Metro is helping people with reduced fares, community support workers, and other tangible things to address the root causes of these anti-social behaviors. All within the context of planning for the 2028 Olympic Games. Coming up next week we have a special episode brought to by the South West Transit Association (SWTA). We'll bring you the recording from their post-election update and discussion with members broadcast and recorded on November 12. 00:00 Creating a better experience at LA Metro Stations 00:05 Introduction and background 01:59 Welcome Stephen Tu 02:33 Overview of the Station Experience Program 03:48 Addressing Societal Challenges and Safety 05:33 Success Stories and Program Expansion 06:35 Innovative Fare Collection: Tap to Exit 10:39 Open Elevator Doors Initiative 13:21 Smart Restrooms for Riders 17:05 Music and Ambient Noise for Better Experience 21:04 Conclusion and Future Outlook 23:05 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - <a href="https://www.
S8 E1 · Wed, November 06, 2024
Driving Transit Innovations - 5 Global Transit Leaders Share Their Visions of the Future
Join Paul Comfort we kick off Season 8 of Transit Unplugged! This special episode features a live CEO roundtable from the APTA TRANSform and EXPO packed with five of transit's biggest leaders. The panel features: Andy Lord from Transport for London Dottie Watkins from CapMetro in Austin Dwight Ferrell from SMART in Detroit Shawn Donaghy from North County Transit District Adam Leishman CEO of Ascendal Group in Hong Kong They discuss their unique transit projects, the impact of the pandemic, the future of AI in transportation, the importance of risk-taking, mentorship in leadership, and the role of transit in the economic development of cities worldwide. Don't miss this compelling--and passionate--discussion on the intersection of technology, society, and the future of public transportation. Next week on the show we have Stephen Tu, Deputy Executive Officer of Station Experience at LA Metro, talking about improving the transit journey for everyone. Improving safety, cleanliness, the perception of safety, and discouraging inappropriate activities starting at a few stations and now expanding across the network. 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Anniversary 08:43 Andy Lord on London's Transit System 12:41 Dottie Watkins on Austin's Transit Expansion 15:25 Dwight Ferrell on Detroit's SMARTer Mobility 18:01 Shawn Donaghy on Workforce Development in San Diego 20:36 Public Transport Success in Hong Kong 21:29 Rethinking Urban Planning 21:56 King's Cross Transformation 23:15 Economic Impact of Transport Infrastructure 25:32 Transition from Aviation to Public Transport 27:32 Leveraging AI and Technology in Public Transport 29:51 Leadership Lessons in Public Transport 34:45 Final Thoughts and Industry Appreciation 37:21 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com Host: Paul Comfort Producer: Paul Comfort Editor and Writer: Tris Hussey Executive Producer: Julie Gates Special thanks to: Brand design: Tina Olagundoye Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova Marketing content, Transit Unplugged Newsletter, & transit puns: Tris Hussey If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - Facebook<
S7 E53 · Wed, October 30, 2024
Achieving accessibility - Ron Brooks and Kristen Joyner on how to get us there
Accessibility is an essential and important topic in transit--and one that Transit Unplugged has deep connections to. From Paul's first job in transit to his work at WMATA and Baltimore MTA, he has championed ensuring transit connects everyone to all of life's opportunities. Tris' father was a pioneer in helping veterans in wheelchairs live independently on their own. So when we say, we're committed to accessibility in all its forms--we mean it. But when it comes to accessibility, sometimes people don't know where to start. And this is where our guests this week come in. Ron Brooks and Kristen Joyner talk with Paul about their new book, All Aboard: Conducting Accessible Community Involvement for Public Transit which gives real, practical strategies to improve accessibility in transit, at conferences, in meetings, and the wider world. Ron and Kristen share how sometimes simple things make a tremendous difference in making something accessible, and often with spending little or no money. And how when as we make the world more accessible, we're making the world a better place for all of us. Coming up next week we kick off Season 8 of Transit Unplugged with a special CEO Roundtable recorded live at APTA TRANSform. Make sure you don't miss this episode with guests: Andy Lord Commissioner of Transport for London Dottie Watkins CEO of CapMetro, Austin Dwight A. Ferrell CEO of Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation, Detroit Shawn M. Donaghy CEO North County Transit District, San Diego Adam Leishman CEO of Ascendal Group, Hong Kong As they talk about the big plans in their systems and some truly inspiring visions of the future. 00:00 The Inspiring Journey of Ron Brooks 00:38 Introducing 'All Aboard': A Guide to Accessible Transit 02:08 The Motivation Behind the Book 04:44 Practical Guidance for Transit Agencies 06:39 Broadening the Audience for Accessibility 10:22 Subscribe to the newsletter 11:07 Community outreach 13:28 Making Meetings Inclusive for All 17:24 The Importance of Comprehensive Engagement 20:15 Contributors and Final Thoughts 23:20 Coming new week on Transit Unplugged Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com Host: Paul Comfort Producer: Paul Comfort Editor and Writer: Tris Hussey Executive Producer: Julie Gates Special thanks to: Brand design: Tina Olagundoye Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova Marketing content, Transit Unplugged Newsletter, & transit puns: Tris Hussey If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: <a href="https://transit-unplugged.captivate.fm/lin
Bonus · Fri, October 25, 2024
Transit Unplugged Deep Cuts - Eulois Cleckley
From an interview with Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works CEO Eulois Cleckley and Paul Comfort originally aired in February, 2023. Eulois talks with Paul about his vision and approach to leadership with his REPPS model and how it's helped his team perform better and exceed what they thought they could accomplish. Link to original interview: https://transitunplugged.com/transit-unplugged-podcast/stacey-matlen-and-eulois-cleckley/ One of his top executives, Schneider St. Preux, was recently on the podcast and cited Eulois' leadership as a critical factor in his career. Listen to that episode here: https://transitunplugged.com/transit-unplugged-podcast/schneider-st-preux/ 00:00 Introduction to Transit Unplugged Deep Cuts 00:44 Meet Eulois Cleckley: Leadership Insights 01:02 The Importance of Strong Leadership 02:29 Principles of Effective Leadership: The REPPS Acronym 02:56 Focusing on Results 04:32 Setting High Expectations 05:39 Setting High Expectations for Success 06:33 Focusing on People: The Key to Leadership 08:02 Empowering Staff for Maximum Potential 08:46 The Importance of Data-Driven Decisions Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com Host: Paul Comfort Producer: Paul Comfort Editor and Writer: Tris Hussey Executive Producer: Julie Gates Special thanks to: Brand design: Tina Olagundoye Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova Marketing content, Transit Unplugged Newsletter, & transit puns: Tris Hussey If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - Facebook Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all war
S7 E52 · Wed, October 23, 2024
Driven to Succeed: Schneider St. Preux on climbing the transit career ladder
This week Paul is talking with someone we could call a Transit Unplugged superfan—Schneider St. Preux—who says he's listened to every podcast episode and credits Transit Unplugged with helping him in his upward career trajectory. We're so pleased to be part of Schneiders' career journey. As he says in this interview—listening and engaging in our podcast community, along with hard work, determination, and willingness to invest in himself, has taken Schneider from bus operator to General Superintendent of Bus Operations at Miami-Dade. Schneider is also one of this year's Mass Transit Magazine's 40 Under 40 winners—a fitting acknowledgment of the accomplishments in his career thus far. He also talks about the critical role of practical experience and the value of continuous education—Schneider says education gets you to the door and your hard work gets you through it. Highlighting both the challenges and triumphs, Schneider offers valuable insights and advice for aspiring transit professionals, emphasizing self-belief, goal-setting, and the importance of investing in people. Paul and Schneider also talk about the importance of training new leaders, especially those who have been "doers" in what true leadership really means. Coming up next week, we focus on a topic close to the hearts of everyone at Transit Unplugged—accessibility. Paul talks with Ron Brooks and Kristen Joyner about their new book which serves as and both a guidebook and inspiration for how to make transit, and the wider world, more accessible for everyone. 00:00 Introduction: A Unique Fan Story 00:42 Crazy Work Stories: The L from Hell 04:24 Meet Schneider St. Preux: A Rising Star in Transit 05:19 Career Journey: From Bus Operator to Superintendent 09:13 Catch Transit Unplugged TV on YouTube 10:09 Spending a year at Broward County Transit 12:44 The Importance of Education and Self-Investment 14:33 Leadership Insights: From Frontline to Management 18:00 Future of Public Transportation: Challenges and Innovations 18:00 Advice for Aspiring Transit Leaders 19:27 Conclusion: Bright Future Ahead 19:40 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged
S7 E51 · Wed, October 16, 2024
From the Eye of the Storm: A Transit Unplugged Special Episode
The back-to-back hurricanes that swept through the Southeastern U.S. brought unimaginable destruction to the region. Many places are far from recovered, with tens of thousands of people still without power in some areas. But behind the scenes, transportation networks need to keep running. People need to be evacuated to safety. Supplies have to get through. Emergency workers need to get to where they are needed. This week we pull back the curtain with a special episode focused on how our transportation networks prepare for and recover from disasters like Hurricanes Helene and Milton. On this special episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort connected with six transportation leaders in Florida about the preparations, their Emergency Operations Centers, and what happens now to recover. We hear from: Brad Miller, CEO of Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority Coree Cuff Lonergan, CEO of Broward County Transit (BCT) Dave Dech, Executive Director of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority/Tri-Rail Ivan Maldonado, Executive Director of Palm Tran Tiffany Homler Hawkins, CEO of Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority (LYNX) Greg Slater, CEO/Executive Director of the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority This is a unique episode that only Transit Unplugged can bring you! Make sure you tune in and share with your transit colleagues. Next week on the show, we have Mass Transit Magazine 40 Under 40 winner Schneider St. Preux talking about his 12 year transit career trajectory from bus operator to General Superintendent of Bus Operations for the Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works. Schneider tells Paul what it took to build his career and his advice for other up and coming leaders in the industry. Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com Host: Paul Comfort Producer: Paul Comfort Editor and Writer: Tris Hussey Executive Producer: Julie Gates Special thanks to: Brand design: Tina Olagundoye Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova Marketing content, Transit Unplugged Newsletter, & transit puns: Tris Hussey If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram
S7 E50 · Wed, October 09, 2024
Rolling Through Rural Minnesota: Arrowhead Transit Connects Communities Together
This week on Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort interviews Brandon Nurmi, Director of Arrowhead Transit in Minnesota. Paul and Brandon discuss the unique challenges of operating a public transportation system across a vast, sparsely populated rural area. Brandon shares his journey in the transit sector, the geographical and logistical hurdles his team faces, the role of volunteer-driven programs, and the technological advancements aiding rural transit systems. As Arrowhead Transit celebrates its 50th anniversary, Brandon highlights how essential public transit is in rural areas for accessing jobs, healthcare, and reducing social isolation. Tune in to learn about the vital role of rural transit in community development and the collaborations that bolster these efforts. Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com Host: Paul Comfort Producer: Paul Comfort Editor and Writer: Tris Hussey Executive Producer: Julie Gates Special thanks to: Brand design: Tina Olagundoye Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova Marketing content, Transit Unplugged Newsletter, & transit puns: Tris Hussey If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - Facebook Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter 00:00 Introduction to Rural Public Transportation 00:57 Challenges of Rural Transit Systems 01:23 Interview with Brandon Nurmi: Director of Arrowhead Transit 02:39 Celebrating 50 Years of Arrowhead Transit 03:25 Geographical and Operational Challenges 06:11 The Role of Technology and Volunteer Programs 09:17 Funding and Community Development 12:59 Social Connectivity and Partnerships 14:37 Future Expansion Plans 16:00 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This produc
S7 E49 · Wed, October 02, 2024
Reimagining Paratransit: TNC Collaboration
In this episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort chats with paratransit thought leaders: Andre Colaiace from LA Access Services Chris Pangilinan from New York MTA Eileen Collins Turvey from Portland's TriMet They dive into how Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) are shaking up paratransit, making everything smoother for riders and more affordable for agencies. We get a rundown of their systems, highlighting how they're tackling daily challenges and boosting efficiency. Sponsored by Uber Transit, this episode also looks at how public-private partnerships are changing the game for public transportation. It’s a deep dive into the practical steps being taken to improve and modernize paratransit services. Uber recently published Transit Horizons 2.0: The Mobility Evolution. This industry perspective paper explores how public-private partnerships have and can enhance public transportation. It’s available for download at uber.com/transithorizons . Coming up next week we talk about the essential role transit plays in rural communities. Our guest is Brandon Nurmi, Director of Arrowhead Transit in Eastern Minnesota. We often forget that in many rural communities there are few alternatives to transit. There aren't many TNCs and often people have to travel long distances for things like doctors and school. Thanks to transit, and a legion of volunteer drivers, people in rural areas can get where they need to go. Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com Host: Paul Comfort Producer: Paul Comfort Editor and Writer: Tris Hussey Executive Producer: Julie Gates Special thanks to: Brand design: Tina Olagundoye Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova Marketing content, Transit Unplugged Newsletter, & transit puns: Tris Hussey If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - Facebook Sign up for the Transi
S7 E48 · Wed, September 25, 2024
Getting Boston's Transit Down to a T: Conversation with MBTA's COO Ryan Coholan
On this episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort sits down with Ryan Coholan, the Chief Operating Officer of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA or The T) in Boston. Ever heard of a COO who drives his own train to work? Ryan is one of a few (only?) COOs who has kept up his Locomotive Engineer's License and regularly drives the train from his home in the suburbs into Boston. Ryan likes to stay connected with the work he's responsible for, not to mention when the COO calls and says there's an issue on a stretch of track, it gets fixed. With nearly 30 years of transit experience, Ryan talks about running one of America's largest transit systems and shares stories of MBTA's recent wins, like ending speed restrictions on rail lines, introducing contactless fares, and even getting chatbot support. Paul and Ryan also dive into some serious business – like getting agreements in place with all their labor unions for the first time in 15 years. Paul and Ryan wrap up their conversation with some electrifying news (literally) about The T's move towards battery electric trains. Ryan's got big plans to make it all happen and leveraging as much existing infrastructure as possible. This is a ride you won't want to miss! Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com Host: Paul Comfort Producer: Paul Comfort Editor and Writer: Tris Hussey Executive Producer: Julie Gates Special thanks to: Brand design: Tina Olagundoye Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova Marketing content, Transit Unplugged Newsletter, & transit puns: Tris Hussey If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - Facebook Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 01:24 Ryan's Journey to Work 02:22 Overview of MBTA and Its Unique Structure 06:51 Role and Responsibilities of the COO 09:25 Financial Health and Strategic Investments 12:22 Speed Restrictions and Infrastructure I
S7 E47 · Wed, September 18, 2024
Expanding Your Reach: Leveraging TNCs in Transit
This week we bring you a special episode sponsored by Uber Transit. Across the U.S., Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) are filling important gaps in transit networks. From giving rides to late night shift workers to helping elderly and disabled riders access the world around them, TNCs make sure "transit deserts" aren't "mobility deserts." Recently, Paul sat down with Bonnie Epstein of Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA), Carlos Cruz-Casas of Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works, and Robert Betts from Marin Transit to talk about the different ways TNCs, have not only transformed their transit networks, but their communities as well. PSTA was the first agency in the U.S. to work with Uber Transit to help late night shift workers get to and from work when regular transit wasn't running. Since its start in 2016, PSTA has helped thousands of people get to work, break into the workforce, and grow their careers. Now this model is being used in Miami-Dade to re-connect riders with the larger transit system after their system reorganization, and in Marin County on-demand transit is letting their aging population age in place and still stay active in their community. This episode is sponsored by Uber Transit, who recently published Transit Horizons 2.0: The Mobility Evolution. This industry perspective paper explores how public-private partnerships have and can enhance public transportation. It’s available for download at uber.com/transithorizons . Coming up next week we learn about all the improvements being made in Boston by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in an interview with MBTA COO Ryan Coholan. Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com Host: Paul Comfort Producer: Paul Comfort Editor and Writer: Tris Hussey Executive Producer: Julie Gates Special thanks to: Brand design: Tina Olagundoye Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova Marketing content, Transit Unplugged Newsletter, & transit puns: Tris Hussey If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/transitunpluggedmedia" rel="noop
S7 E46 · Wed, September 11, 2024
Connecting London: Philip Gerhardt Discusses TFL's Transit Solutions
In this episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul talks with Philip Gerhardt, the Head of Bus Performance at Transport for London (TfL). Philip talks about what it's like keeping the over 650 bus routes moving smoothly at one of the world's largest public transport networks. And Philip doesn't just have to worry about the iconic double-decker red buses, he needs to make sure all bus routes--including the express routes around London--connect with all the other modes from The Tube and light rail to the Elizabeth Line and ferries. Paul and Philip talk about the details of bus performance and how TfL works with its private operator partners to deliver world-class bus service. Philip also reflects on his career journey and the passion behind TFL's iconic red buses (like many of us he fell into his transit career). Coming up next week on the show, we have a special episode we've done in conjunction with Uber Transit. Paul will be talking with Bonnie Epstein of PSTA, Carlos Cruz Casas of Miami Dade County, and Robert Betts of Marin County, talking about how TNCs like Uber have helped them expand their service offerings with micro transit that help shift workers, the disabled, and the elderly. Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com Host: Paul Comfort Producer: Paul Comfort Editor and Writer: Tris Hussey Executive Producer: Julie Gates Special thanks to: Brand design: Tina Olagundoye Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova Marketing content, Transit Unplugged Newsletter, & transit puns: Tris Hussey If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - Facebook Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter 00:00 Welcome to Transit Unplugged 00:41 Meet Philip Gerhart: Head of Bus Performance at TfL 01:35 The Role of TfL's Bus Operators 02:04 Ensuring Reliability and Efficiency 03:09 The Importance of London's Bus Network 05:48 Night Bus Network and Women's Safety 06:25 The Iconic Red Double Decker Buses
S7 E45 · Wed, September 04, 2024
Resolving the Bus Manufacturing Crisis: Challenges, Changes, and the Path Ahead
The bus manufacturing crisis has been looming for years as more and more OEMs dropped out. But the final straw was when Proterra filed for bankruptcy protection and REV Group said it was closing its ENC facility to focus on the Canadian market. In the blink of an eye the U.S. was down to two major bus manufacturers: GILLIG and New Flyer. This put the entire public transit industry into crisis mode. Delivery times for new buses went from 12-18 months to 18-24 months--and longer. How did we get this point? It's not an easy answer, but a combination of contract terms, the pandemic, supply chain issues, and the transition to zero-emissions buses all factored in. But this week Paul dives into it with former FTA Administrator and Managing Partner at Cardinal Infrastructure Sherry Little, along with Jennifer McNeill (Vice President of Public Sector Sales and Marketing) and Stephanie Laubenstein (Director of Sales and Business Development) from New Flyer. They talk about all the causes and how the industry came together to find real, tangible solutions that will help the OEM bus industry get back on its feet and come back stronger for the future. Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged we have Philip Gerhardt head of Transport for London's Head Bus Performance to talk with Paul about optimizing the over 650 bus routes across London that serve millions of riders each day. Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com Host: Paul Comfort Producer: Paul Comfort Editor and Writer: Tris Hussey Executive Producer: Julie Gates Special thanks to: Brand design: Tina Olagundoye Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova Marketing content, Transit Unplugged Newsletter, & transit puns: Tris Hussey If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - Facebook Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter 00:00 Resolving the Bus Manufacturing Crisis: Challenges, Changes, and the Path Ahead 00:05 Paul buying his first bus and an intro to the episode 03:09 Introduction and Guest Welcome 03:41 Current State of the Bus Manufacturing Industry 04:41 Challenges and Advocacy Efforts 06:59 Legislative and Policy Changes 1
S7 E44 · Wed, August 28, 2024
Exploring Vienna's Multi-Modal Transit System with CEO Alexandra Reinagl
Join Paul Comfort as he takes you behind the scenes of Vienna's renowned public transit system, Wiener Linien. Discover the secrets behind the network, from seamless mobility chains to their innovative climate ticket. CEO Alexandra Reinagl shares insights on the city's strong commitment to public transport, decarbonizing the bus fleet, and the collaborative efforts in urban planning that make Vienna the world's most livable city. Enjoy a virtual tour of Vienna's transit infrastructure, cultural highlights, and future mobility visions in this captivating episode. Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com Host: Paul Comfort Producer: Paul Comfort Editor and Writer: Tris Hussey Executive Producer: Julie Gates Special thanks to: Brand design: Tina Olagundoye Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova Marketing content, Transit Unplugged Newsletter, & transit puns: Tris Hussey If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - Facebook Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter 00:00 Welcome to Transit Unplugged 00:38 Exploring Vienna's Transit System 02:12 Interview with CEO Alexandra Reinagl 02:42 Vienna's Commitment to Public Transport 04:07 Innovative Mobility Solutions 04:43 Annual Pass and Climate Ticket 07:07 Construction and Communication Strategies 10:14 Wiener Linien's Organizational Structure 16:35 Decarbonizing the Bus Fleet 18:47 Vision for the Future of Mobility 20:48 Conclusion and Farewell 20:56 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general
S7 E43 · Wed, August 21, 2024
Miami's First-in-the-Nation All-Electric Transit Operations Center with Eulois Cleckley and Angel Andre Chavarria
Miami's First-in-the-Nation All-Electric Transit Operations Center with Eulois Cleckley and Angel Andre Chavarria Around the world agencies are switching to low or no carbon buses and with that change comes an even bigger challenge: infrastructure. Battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell, even CNG buses, all require new and different refueling/recharging systems, different maintenance set ups, and sometimes even completely different spaces. This week you'll get to hear about a bus garage that is the first-of-its-kind in the U.S, a state-of-the-are facility designed to house, charge, and repair 100, 60 foot battery electric articulated buses. These buses will be a core part of a new 20 mile, all electric Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line in Miami. Eulois Cleckley, CEO of Miami-Dade Dept. of Public Works and Transportation gives host Paul Comfort all the details why this facility is crucial for fast-growing Miami and then WSP SVP Angel Andre Chavarria tell us how they overcame huge challenges in planning and construction to make it possible and break ground. Next week on the show we head to Austria to learn all about Vienna's amazing multi-modal transit system with Wiener Linien CEO Alexandra Rienagl. Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com Host: Paul Comfort Producer: Paul Comfort Editor and Writer: Tris Hussey Executive Producer: Julie Gates Special thanks to: Brand design: Tina Olagundoye Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova Marketing content, Transit Unplugged Newsletter, & transit puns: Tris Hussey If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - Facebook Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter 0:00 Miami's First-in-the-Nation All-Electric Transit Operations Center with Eulois Cleckley and Angel Andre Chavarria 00:04 Introduction from host Paul Comfort 00:21 Miami Dade's New Transit Operations Center 00:51 Meet the Guests: Eulois Cleckley and Angel Andre Chavarria 02:19 Innovative Features of the New Facility 04:33 Groundbreaking Ceremony and Construction Details 08:04 Funding this massive and critical project 09:43 Challenging construction, innovative solutions <
S7 E42 · Wed, August 14, 2024
Fairbanks Transit: Harnessing Extreme Weather for Extreme Innovation
In this episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort continues his Alaska adventure with Fairbanks, as part of his California and Alaska series. Paul starts with sharing his 12-hour train journey from Anchorage to Fairbanks through Denali National Park--which was nearly cancelled because of wildfires! In Fairbanks, he chats with Fairbanks transit leaders Michelle Denton, Corey DiRutigliano, and Dey Johnson about the unique challenges of running a transit system in Fairbanks' extreme weather conditions. Together with Paul, explore the history of Fairbanks, the impact of its discontinuous permafrost tundra on infrastructure, and the exciting new improvements with a brand-new transit facility. Tune in for a blend of history, adventure, and insights into making transit work in one of America's most fascinating and rugged landscapes. Coming up next week we head to the opposite corner of the U.S. and Miami! We're going to highlight the new Miami-Dade electric bus depot with Eulois Cleckley and Angel Andre Chavarria and how this first-in-the-nation project is going to put Miami at the forefront of battery electric transit. Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com Host: Paul Comfort Producer: Paul Comfort Editor and Writer: Tris Hussey Executive Producer: Julie Gates Special thanks to: Brand design: Tina Olagundoye Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova Marketing content, Transit Unplugged Newsletter, & transit puns: Tris Hussey If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - Facebook Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter 00:00 Fairbanks Transit: Harnessing Extreme Weather for Extreme Innovation 00:26 Journey Through Alaska: From Anchorage to Fairbanks 01:56 Exploring Fairbanks: History and Modern Day 06:14 Fairbanks' Unique Environment and Challenges 11:07 Fairbanks Transit System: Innovations and Operations 19:27 Future of Fairbanks Transit and Final Thoughts 21:48 Coming up
S7 E41 · Wed, August 07, 2024
Anchorage: Transit on the edge of the wilderness
Imagine running a transit system where moose crossing the road in town is just your average day. Where winters are long, dark and cold, but summer is hot and has 22 hours of daylight. That's transit in Alaska. In this first of two episodes from Alaska, Paul Comfort takes us to Anchorage. This week you'll hear from Jamie Acton, Executive Director of Public Transportation, and Bart Rudolph, Transit Planning & Communications Manager for the Municipality of Anchorage talking about the system and what it's like to be Alaskans. Paul delves into what makes Anchorage's transit system unique, and the challenges they face with lowering emissions and alternative fuel sources. They also discuss Anchorage's active lifestyle, the U-Pass program for employers, and the communal spirit of Alaskans. Paul shares his reflections on the remarkable natural beauty and historic significance of Alaska, providing listeners with a gritty, on-the-scene experience. Next week, we'll bring you part 2 from Fairbanks, the most Northern large city in the U.S., where the temperatures go from -60F in the winter to +95F in the summer. Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com Host: Paul Comfort Producer: Paul Comfort Editor and Writer: Tris Hussey Executive Producer: Julie Gates Special thanks to: Brand design: Tina Olagundoye Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova Marketing content, Transit Unplugged Newsletter, & transit puns: Tris Hussey If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - Facebook Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter 0:00 Anchorage: Transit on the edge of the wilderness 00:05 Introduction to Transit Unplugged 01:24 Road Trip Series Overview 02:13 Personal Reflections on Alaska 03:37 History of Alaska: Seward's Folly 05:12 Anchorage Transit Insights 09:39 Challenges and Innovations in Anchorage Transit 13:06 Unique Aspects of Living in Alaska 18:02 Conclusion and Next Episode
S7 E40 · Wed, July 31, 2024
Inside Sacramento's transit system: TOD Initiatives and Safety Innovations with CEO Henry Li
Get ready for a packed episode as we welcome Henry Li, CEO of the Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT), to the show. Henry takes us behind the scenes of SacRT, sharing insights into the major initiatives currently shaping the future of transit in the region like students ride free program and transit oriented development (TOD). We'll dive into how transit-oriented development is transforming Sacramento, the innovative approaches SacRT is taking to ensure rider safety, and the challenges and successes they faced along the way. Henry's impressive career in the transit industry brings a wealth of knowledge to our discussion. From his start in Atlanta at MARTA to leading one of the nation's most dynamic transit systems, Henry's journey is nothing short of inspiring. Coming up next week we start a two-part series from Paul's trip to Alaska. First up is Alaska's largest city, Anchorage, where you're never more than 15 minutes from wilderness and the transit system is built for outdoor adventure. Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com Host: Paul Comfort Producer: Paul Comfort Editor and Writer: Tris Hussey Executive Producer: Julie Gates Special thanks to: Brand design: Tina Olagundoye Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova Marketing content, Transit Unplugged Newsletter, & transit puns: Tris Hussey If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - Facebook Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter 0:00 Inside Sacramento's transit system: TOD Initiatives and Safety Innovations with CEO Henry Li 00:13 Road Trip to Sacramento and Alaska 00:40 Sacramento Heatwave and SacRT Introduction 01:04 Interview with Henry Li: Challenges and Achievements 05:40 Innovative Safety and Security Measures 10:17 Systematic Project Management at SacRT 15:10 Transit Oriented Development Initiatives 17:55 Transition to Zero Emissions 19:52 Henry Li's Career Highlights and Community Impa
S7 E39 · Wed, July 24, 2024
Special Episode: Books and New Transit Funding with Paul Comfort and Davey Kim
Today, Paul Comfort, Transit Evangelist and SVP/Chief Customer Officer at Modaxo, and Davey Kim SVP/Principal, National Transportation Policy and Multimodal Strategy, at WSP USA, join METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman. Topics include: Paul’s “The New Future of Public Transportation” book. The Federal Government’s Role in Funding Public Transit. Political Will to Replace Both the Federal and State Gas Taxes. Identifying Tomorrow’s Forward-Thinking Leaders. Make sure you're signed up for the METRO Express newsletter, so you don't miss another METROspectives. Original show notes from: https://www.metro-magazine.com/10224317/books-and-new-transit-funding-with-paul-comfort-and-davey-kim Sign up for the METRO Express newsletter. Follow and connect with METRO Magazine on social media! Connect with METRO on LinkedIn . Like METRO on Facebook . Follow METRO on Twitter . Prefer to listen? Check out the METROspectives podcast! Subscribe to METROspectives on Apple Podcasts . Follow METROspectives on Spotify .
S7 E38 · Wed, July 17, 2024
SMART Moves: Dwight Ferrell on Public Transit Innovations in Detroit
In this episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort interviews Dwight Ferrell, General Manager of SMART (Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation) in Southeastern Michigan. Dwight shares lessons from his lengthy career in public transportation, from a bus operator in Dallas to leading multiple transit agencies across the U.S. The discussion covers SMART's innovative service for the NFL draft in Detroit, how to do the same thing for other events, addressing the changing face of ridership, and bus operator staffing challenges. Dwight delves into lessons in leadership, the future of transit technology, and adapting services to meet the evolving needs of younger generations. The episode also highlights SMART's efforts to improve employee engagement and attract a diverse workforce. Which is already reaping rewards with the fewest number of operative vacancies in years. Coming up next week, we have a feed drop from an appearance Paul made on another podcast. This time it's METRO Magazine's METRspectives hosted by Executive Editor Alex Roman. Paul is joined as a guest by Davey Kim, SVP/Principal, National Transportation Policy and Multimodal Strategy, at WSP USA. In this interview Alex, Paul, and Davey talk about several hot transit topics including federal funding for transit and weaning ourselves off gas taxes as we drive fewer and fewer fossil fuel vehicles. Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com Host: Paul Comfort Producer: Paul Comfort Editor and Writer: Tris Hussey Executive Producer: Julie Gates Special thanks to: Brand design: Tina Olagundoye Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova Marketing content, Transit Unplugged Newsletter, & transit puns: Tris Hussey If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - Facebook Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter 0:00 Dwight Ferrell 00:05 Introduction and welcome to Transit Unplugged 01:32 NFL Draft and Shuttle Service 02:25 Challenges a
S7 E37 · Wed, July 10, 2024
Ron Kilcoyne on the Three Essentials for Growing Transit Ridership
Join Transit Unplugged host Paul Comfort as he dives into the critical issue of boosting post-pandemic transit ridership with Ron Kilcoyne. Ron is a seasoned transit professional with over 40 years in the industry, leading several transit agencies, and now a transit researcher and consultant. Ron and Paul explore some innovative solutions to increase ridership, emphasizing a 'three-legged stool' of service design, marketing, and operations. This conversation combines both practical advice and strategic insights into rebuilding public transportation systems to meet current and future demands. Ron dives into his research into understanding how service design and ridership intertwine and showing it's not always the urban agencies that take the ridership crown. Don't miss Ron's expert analysis and actionable recommendations to help your agency thrive in the new era of transit. Next week on the show we have GM of SMART (Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation) outside of Detroit, Dwight Ferrell talking about supporting the NFL Draft with transit and some critical leadership advice for everyone looking to move up in the industry. Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com Host: Paul Comfort Producer: Paul Comfort Editor and Writer: Tris Hussey Executive Producer: Julie Gates Special thanks to: Brand design: Tina Olagundoye Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova Marketing content, Transit Unplugged Newsletter, & transit puns: Tris Hussey If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - Facebook Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter 00:05 Introduction to Transit Unplugged 00:15 Challenges in Post-Pandemic Ridership 01:54 Interview with Ron Kilcoyne 01:57 Ron Kilcoyne's Background and Experience 03:53 The Three-Legged Stool of Transit Ridership 04:44 Marketing and Operations in Transit 07:14 Improving Transit Service and Accessibility 12:48 Case Studies an
S7 E36 · Wed, July 03, 2024
Special Episode: Lunch with Leon featuring Paul Comfort and Simon Reed
Make sure you visit and subscribe to Lunch with Leon for great transit insights every week. https://audioboom.com/channels/5028700-lunch-with-leon Below are the original show notes: This week, Leon is joined by transport evangelist Paul Comfort and technology expert Simon Reed to discuss Paul’s latest book, The New Future of Public Transportation. Listen now for a deep dive into the hot topics in the transit industry as well as insights from the book featuring expertise from 30 transport leaders worldwide. Passenger Transport: www.passengertransport.co.uk Transit Unplugged podcast: https://transitunplugged.com/
S7 E35 · Wed, June 26, 2024
Transit Insights from Hong Kong, Singapore, and London with Adam Leishman
Here's a stat you don't hear every day: over the course of his career (so far), Adam Leishman has helped move over 1.8 billion people. Billion. With a "b." I guess that's what happens when you've worked in three of the top transit cities in the world: London, Singapore, and Hong Kong. In his conversation with host Paul Comfort, Adam talks about Hong Kong's transit model where transit companies operate as true commercial businesses that receive no support or subsidy from the government. Adam's experience working in transit from Australia to Europe to Asia has shown him the true value of transit to society, and one of the most important things we can do is just get people out of cars and onto buses and trains. Paul and Adam also talk about: How the Hong Kong system works Adam's global transit career Adam's media business started in the midst of the pandemic which is now the second largest advertising agency in Hong Kong Living car free for nearly 10 years You'll also learn about Adam's approach to leadership and where he sees transit needs to go in the future if it wants to be successful over the long term. This is one of those interviews where just when you think someone couldn't say more profound things, they do. Make sure you listen all the way to the end for Adam's transit vision. Next week we have a holiday week special! Paul appeared on the Lunch with Leon podcast recently so we're going to bring that episode to you next week. On that episode Paul talks about his book with the host and one of the book's contributors, Simon Reed. Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com Host: Paul Comfort Producer: Paul Comfort Editor and Writer: Tris Hussey Executive Producer: Julie Gates Special thanks to: Brand design: Tina Olagundoye Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova Marketing content, Transit Unplugged Newsletter, & transit puns: Tris Hussey If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - Facebook Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter 00:00 Introduction to Hong Kong's Unique Transit System 00:48 Meet Adam Leishman: CEO of Bravo Holdings 01:06
S7 E34 · Wed, June 19, 2024
Erick Van Wagenen, CEO WeDriveU, on Innovation and the Future of Transit Contracting
In this episode Paul Comfort interviews Erick Van Wagenen, CEO of WeDriveU, formerly National Express. They discuss the transformation of National Express, the North American Transit Alliance, and the evolving role of contractors in public transportation. Additionally, Erick reflects on his 18-year career with WeDriveU, where he progressed from assistant general manager to CEO, and discusses the rebranding and strategic initiatives under his leadership. Erick shares his insights on industry trends, including electrification, addressing labor shortages, and leveraging innovation to help operators drive more safely. Erick and Paul also discuss the impact of inflation on costs and how strong partnerships with agencies paves the way through the rough spots. And we don't usually get into other forms of transit like on-campus shuttles, but these connections are fundamentally important to schools and the community. Erick talks about campus transportation systems, like at Princeton University, that connect students and the larger community together. Finally, Erick reflects on WeDriveU's approach to global operations, adapting to post-COVID challenges, and how contracting helps shape the future direction in the transit sector. Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com Host: Paul Comfort Producer: Paul Comfort Editor and Writer: Tris Hussey Executive Producer: Julie Gates Special thanks to: Brand design: Tina Olagundoye Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova Marketing content, Transit Unplugged Newsletter, & transit puns: Tris Hussey If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - Facebook Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter 00:00 Introduction to Transit Unplugged 02:02 Interview with Eric Van Wagenen Begins 02:25 National Express and WeDriveU Overview 03:00 Global Operations and Services 03:59 Entrepreneurial Spirit and Customer Success 06:57 Industry Trends and Challenges 08:55 Innova
S7 E33 · Wed, June 12, 2024
NYC Stalls on Congestion Pricing: A Deep Dive with Matthew Daus
Plus policing on the subway and upcoming transit conferences. Last week, New York Governor Kathy Hochul abruptly put a stop to New York City's planned congestion charges due to come into effect June 30th. This announcement took nearly everyone by surprise, critics and supporters alike, and this week we have Matthew Daus return as our guest to talk about this sudden change, what it means for the New York MTA's budget, and if congestion pricing will return to the city. We've talked about congestion pricing many times on the show before, from Matthew a year ago to the outgoing head of MTA Rich Davey and just recently Transport for London's Andy Lord. It's a hot topic with strong opinions on both sides of the issue. With congestion charging in NYC seen as a test bed for cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco, its fate is now uncertain in the U.S. Matthew and Paul continue the discussion on another hot topic right now: transit safety and policing. Recently the U.S. National Guard was deployed in the New York Subway to fight rash of violent incidents. Matthew and Paul talk about safety in transit and how it affects returning ridership. Paul and Matthew wrap up their conversation with a discussion of the International Association of Transportation Regulators upcoming conference in October and their new collaboration with the CoMotion conference. Next week, Erick Leishman CEO of WeDriveU (formerly National Express), talks with Paul about the state of contracting in the U.S. and its essential role in delivering innovative transit solutions. Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com Host: Paul Comfort Producer: Paul Comfort Editor and Writer: Tris Hussey Executive Producer: Julie Gates Special thanks to: Brand design: Tina Olagundoye Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova Marketing content, Transit Unplugged Newsletter, & transit puns: Tris Hussey If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - Facebook Sign up for t
S7 E32 · Wed, June 05, 2024
Hill Testing, Hydrogen, and Electric Ferries: Halifax Transit’s Green Innovations with Dave Reage
While in Halifax, Canada filming Transit Unplugged TV, Paul sat down with Dave Reage, Executive Director of Halifax Transit and First Vice Chair of the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) to talk about his transit system, testing their new electric buses, and building new ferry terminals for an electric ferry fleet (a first in Canada). Dave shares insights into Halifax's rapid growth, his background, and the challenges and innovations facing the industry in Canada. Dave talks about how critical CUTA is in molding future leaders. Before heading over to Dartmouth on the ferry for some seafood, Dave shows Paul around the future Mill Cove Ferry Terminal and talks about their new electric ferries. Dave details plans for a bus rapid transit network and the adoption of new fare technologies like open payment systems. "I've been telling my team to keep in mind, the last time we had a transition this significant, we were actually going from trolley buses to diesel buses, so it's all kind of coming full circle now. And the testing piece is so crucial because we need to learn everything we can and make sure we know how it's going to work, make sure it's going to work, before we ever put it out into public service. Although the bus itself is very similar to the untrained eye, so many systems are different, new, modern. From safety to reliability, we need to make sure we've tested everything out very thoroughly and we're comfortable with." - Dave Reage Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com Host: Paul Comfort Producer: Paul Comfort Editor and Writer: Tris Hussey Executive Producer: Julie Gates Special thanks to: Brand design: Tina Olagundoye Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova Marketing content, Transit Unplugged Newsletter, & transit puns: Tris Hussey If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - Facebook Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter 00:00 Introduction by Paul Comfort 03:19 Welcome to the show 03:
S7 E31 · Wed, May 29, 2024
Planning for Savannah's Expanded Transit Future with Faye DiMassimo
This week Paul chats with Faye DiMassimo, CEO and Executive Director of Chatham Area Transit Authority (CAT) in Savannah, and soon to be Chief of Planning and Economic Development for the City of Savannah. Paul and Faye discuss the recent APTA Public Transit CEO Conference, Faye's career path (including recent promotion), and the innovations at CAT, including hybrid ferries, an electric microtransit pilot, and their long-term fiscal plan. They get into how CAT is preparing for the fiscal cliff as COVID federal relief runs out and challenges getting grants based on local matches. Faye reflects on how transit CEOs support each other in good times, and bad. Paul and Faye close with a special coda about new role in the City of Savannah, continuing her mission to improve public mobility for everyone in Savannah. The episode highlights the importance of community, equity, and sustainability in public transit. Next week we have repeat guest Dave Reage giving Paul a tour of Halifax by land and sea! Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com Host: Paul Comfort Producer: Paul Comfort Editor and Writer: Tris Hussey Executive Producer: Julie Gates Special thanks to: Brand design: Tina Olagundoye Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova Marketing content, Transit Unplugged Newsletter, & transit puns: Tris Hussey If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - Facebook Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter 00:05 Welcome to Transit Unplugged 01:10 Interview with Faye DiMassimo 01:56 Hosting the APTA CEO Summit in Savannah 02:34 Challenges and Opportunities for Transit CEOs 06:46 The Evolution of Faye's Career in Transit 09:35 Inside Savannah's Transit System: CAT 13:38 Savannah's Charm and History 15:55 Innovations in Transit: Electric Microtransit and More 17:41 Master Planning for the Future of Transit in Savannah 19:48 Preparing for the Fiscal Cliff and Closing Thoughts 24:56 Update to this interview 28:04 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect
S7 E30 · Wed, May 22, 2024
Tackling today's biggest challenges at four transit agencies
Across North America there are four fundamental issues facing transit agencies: Getting enough buses Getting enough people to fix and drive the buses Getting enough funding to keep running the buses Getting (cyber)secure The bus manufacturing crisis is forcing many transit agencies to get creative at keeping buses running longer. Workforce shortages mean agencies are getting creative at finding and hiring enough people. With a fiscal cliff looming for many agencies, finding ways to save money and still offer the same level of service means finding some new ways to connect people on something other than a 40 foot bus. And every week someone makes the news for getting hacked, so keeping systems secure is a lot harder than it used to be. Joining Paul on stage for a transit leaders roundtable at TripSpark Ignite are: Pam Shepherd, Executive Director, Federated Transportation Services of the Blue Grass Ryan Landers, General Manager Lawton Area Transit Randy Anderson, Operations IT Systems Administrator CityBus – Greater Lafayette Public Transit Matt Maier, Director of Operations Lake Tran What makes this roundtable unique isn't that they are talking about these issues, but that they've found creative and innovative ways to address them . Learn how: Simple ads on buses are getting more applications Creating flexible schedules has brought in a whole new group of drivers Making sure every usable part of a bus at the end of its life is used to extend the service life of the rest of the fleet Auditing your system is the first step to actively preventing hacks on your systems Sit back and enjoy a fun, interesting, and informative discussion about the top issues facing our industry and how four agencies are meeting them head on. Next week on the show we have an interview with Faye DiMassimo. When Paul interviewed her, she was leading Chatham Area Transit in Savannah, Georgia, but since then she has a new job with the City of Savannah. Her job still involves connecting people, but has a much bigger and more interesting mandate than transit alone. It's not often we have an interview where we get to talk with someone before and after a career transition. Make sure you tune in for this one! Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com Host: Paul Comfort Producer: Paul Comfort Editor and Writer: Tris Hussey Executive Producer: Julie Gates Special thanks to: Brand design: Tina Olagundoye Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova Marketing content, Transit Unplugged Newsletter, & transit puns: Tris Hussey If you have a question or comment, email us at <a href="mailto:info@transitunplugge
S7 E29 · Wed, May 15, 2024
Planes, trains, buses, and boats. Andy Lord has it all in London
Transport for London (TfL) covers every transport means possible from the iconic red double-deck buses to The Tube to trains and even ferries. Which means the person in charge of it all has a lot going on at any given moment. Andy Lord, Commissioner for TfL spent over 25 years in aviation before coming to transit in 2019 to run The Tube with then Commissioner Andy Byford. Sitting down with Paul, Andy about his career and the enormity of the job of managing nearly 30,000 people moving millions of people a day. Andy tells Paul how the mix of contracting, direct operation, and concessions keeps everything moving across the entirety of London and beyond. But most of all Andy sees himself as a steward for the future of TfL. You'll hear about his plans to hit zero emissions and keep a system that still has Victorian-era infrastructure up-to-date, safe, and efficient. Next week on the show we have a transit leaders roundtable recorded live at TripSpark Ignite. This episode hits on the biggest issues facing transit today: budgets, the bus manufacturing crisis, hiring enough people, and cyber security. Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com Host: Paul Comfort Producer: Paul Comfort Editor and Writer: Tris Hussey Executive Producer: Julie Gates Special thanks to: Brand Design: Tina Olagundoye Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova Marketing Content, Transit Unplugged Newsletter, & transit puns: Tris Hussey If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - Facebook Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter 00:00 Transit Unplugged Featuring Andy Lord, Commissioner of Transport for London 00:11 Introducing Andy Lord: London's Top Transport Official 00:27 A Year of Leadership: Andy Lord's Journey and Achievements 03:02 Inside TfL's Successes: From Surplus to the Superloop 05:16 The Scale of TfL: Operations, Fleet, and Staff 07:06 Funding and Structure: How TfL Operates Within London's Government 08:38 From Airlines to Underground: Andy Lord's Career Path 16:07 Innovations and Challenges: Moving Towards a Zero Emission Fleet 18:35 Congestion Charging and ULEZ: London's Approach to T
S7 E28 · Wed, May 08, 2024
Celebrating Paul's Newest Book: The New Future of Public Transportation
This week we're celebrating the release of Paul's newest book, The New Future of Public Transportation , which is the sequel to The Future of Public Transportation published early in 2020. To say public transport faced an crisis or inflection point in the past four years is an understatement. In this updated edition, Paul collected essays by 30 transit leaders from around the world covering every major topic facing transit today from workforce to safety, infrastructure to faring. On the show today Paul chats with two of the contributors, Dr. Karen Philbrick, Executive Director of the Mineta Transportation Institute, and Paige Malott, high speed rail researcher with the International Union of Railways about their chapters and their ideas on the future of public transit. We conclude the episode with Paul talking about what's covered in each of the chapters of the book and the people who wrote them. Make sure you listen right to the end of the show so you don't miss it! You can order the book on Amazon now: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1468607618?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_1B7E4H4QFZVKHANFW7DS Next week we have Andy Lord Commissioner for Transport for London (TfL). TfL is the largest public transport network in the world covering nearly every transport mode possible. It's a huge job and you get to hear not only about this massive system, but how Andy's experience in the aviation industry prepared him for the job. If you have a question for Paul about anything related to public transit, zap him an email at paul.comfort@transitunplugged.com . Paul might even read and answer your question on a future episode of the podcast. If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo and these fine folks: Paul Comfort, host and producer Julie Gates, executive producer Tris Hussey, editor and writer Tatyana Mechkarova, social media Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - Facebook <a href="https://transit-unplugged.aweb.page/p/547ddabf-95bc-40f6-856c-6dd4762
S7 E27 · Wed, May 01, 2024
Launching Successful Innovations at SEPTA with Emily Yates
In a previous episode we talked about SEPTA's innovative SCOPE (Safety, Cleaning, Ownership, Partnership, and Engagement) program -- https://transitunplugged.com/transit-unplugged-podcast/how-septa-is-making-a-difference-in-the-lives-of-vulnerable-people/ -- and how it was helping the city's most vulnerable people. This week we get the big picture from the woman at the head of it all. Emily Yates reports right to CEO Leslie Richards and leads a team that's willing to take a risk on something new and if it doesn't pan out, learn from it and move on. Her recent pilot on using AI-powered cameras to detect weapons didn't turn out like people expected. But, Emily and her team have distilled what they've learned and are looking at new ways to accomplish the same goal--keep weapons off the system. Emily's approach to innovation is very human-focused. She thinks about things like; "How do we make transit more welcoming for women and moms? Is there more we can do help our drivers feel physically and emotionally safe? Are we doing the right things to make it easier to take transit instead of a private car?" In the interview Emily talks about programs like: Letting moms keep kids in strollers and not having to unpack shopping carts on buses Solar-powered, e-ink displays at stops to show route updates and next bus information Programs to help operator safety and mental health SEPTA's transition to a zero-emission fleet Plus how she navigates the process of getting buy in for these initiatives inside and outside the agency. Coming up next week we're celebrating the release of Paul's newest book The New Future of Public Transportation with two of the contributors Dr. Karen Philbrick and Paige Malott. You can pick up a copy on Amazon https://a.co/d/dqp2red If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo and these fine folks: Paul Comfort, host and producer Julie Gates, executive producer Tris Hussey, editor and writer Tatyana Mechkarova, social media Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - Facebook <a href="https://transit-unplugged.aweb.page/p/547ddabf-95bc-40f6-856c-6dd476265ba5" tar
S7 E26 · Wed, April 24, 2024
Episode 300!
Welcome to episode 300 of Transit Unplugged! When Paul started the podcast in November 2017, I don't think anyone would have thought that seven seasons later we'd be at our 300th episode. Paul started this podcast to shine a light on the impact of transit on society and give transit leaders a chance to talk about their agencies and their careers, unfiltered and unplugged. Throughout the pandemic Paul interviewed leaders about what it all meant to transit. How were agencies dealing with health restrictions. How agencies were keeping front line workers safe. Since the pandemic, the issues have changed. Now it's getting enough drivers, changing ridership patterns, the bus manufacturing crisis, and the looming fiscal cliff. Paul continues to meet these issues head on with frank discussion about how agencies are addressing the challenges and how it's shaping them as leaders. We're celebrating this milestone with a CEO Roundtable with four leading transit CEOs talking about their agencies, what it's like to be a CEO, and the challenges they face today. Recorded live on stage with Paul are: Frank White, III (Kansas City Area Transportation Authority) Tiffani Scott (Paratransit, Inc.) David Scorey (Keolis North America) Jameson Auten (Lane Transit District) Next week on the show, we have the Chief Innovation Officer from SEPTA (South East Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) Emily Yates talking about not just the innovations she's leading, but the entire process of innovating in public transit overall. 0:00 Transit Unplugged Episode 300! 00:05 Introduction by host and producer, Paul Comfort 01:35 Welcome to Transit Unplugged Live: CEO Roundtable 02:04 The State of Public Transit: Challenges and Changes 03:42 Innovative Solutions in Transit: Sacramento's Story 06:19 Addressing Transit's Relevance and Financial Sustainability 06:45 Operational Efficiency and Service Adaptation in Boston 09:47 Redefining Transit's Role in the Community 13:52 The CEO Experience: Leading in Transit 23:39 Lightning Round: Future Directions and Innovations 29:14 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged
Trailer · Wed, April 24, 2024
Welcome to Transit Unplugged!
Transit Unplugged, the world's leading podcast for transit professionals, is hosted and produced by Modaxo SVP and transit evangelist Paul Comfort. Each week, Paul sits down with public transit leaders from around the world to talk about their agencies, how they're facing current challenges, their thoughts on the future of public transit, plus insights into their careers and their approaches to leadership. You'll learn exactly what it's like to lead a transit agency, big or small, urban or rural, from the people who are in the chairs doing the job. Tune in to hear these unfiltered, unscripted, and unplugged conversations with the people who are shaping public transit today and tomorrow. Find us wherever you listen to podcasts.
S7 E25 · Wed, April 17, 2024
System Redesign and Transit Revival in Madison with Justin Stuehrenberg
Justin Stuehrenberg GM of Madison Metro and his team used COVID as the impetus to finally put a long-planned system redesign into motion and completed it in June 2023. Since then they've seen a 15% increase in ridership. Justin and Paul talked about how his new network works, how geography figured into it, and the new bus rapid transit (BRT) lines coming soon that will use battery electric buses charged en route with overhead pantographs. Also in this episode: Being part of city government--the good and bad Working with multiple city councils for approvals and funding Justin's path from designing airplane engines to transit engineering and planning. Coming up next week... It's episode 300! Yes, we're celebrating 300 episodes with the ThinkTransit CEO Roundtable, covering the most pressing issues in transit today with four of the industry’s most influential CEOs. If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo and these fine folks: Paul Comfort, host and producer Julie Gates, executive producer Tris Hussey, editor and writer Tatyana Mechkarova, social media Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - Facebook Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter 00:00 Welcome to Transit Unplugged 00:15 Introducing Justin Stuenberg and Madison Metro Transit 01:38 Madison's Unique Transit Challenges and Solutions 05:13 Funding and Operational Structure of Madison Metro 07:03 Revolutionizing Transit: Bus Network Redesign and BRT Implementation 18:15 Looking Ahead: Future Projects and Personal Insights 21:43 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged
Bonus · Mon, April 15, 2024
Public Transport Insights and Innovations in the Middle East from UITP MENA
In this special episode we have guest host, and past guest, Dr. Kaan Yildizgoz hosting a live CEO roundtable from the Modaxo booth at the UITP MENA Transport Congress and Exhibition. Kaan is joined by: Renée Amilcar: President of UITP & General Manager of OC Transpo, Canada Abdulla Al Marzouqi: Director General – Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), Abu Dhabi Mohammed Obaid Al Mulla: Member of the Board of Directors of Roads and Transport Authority & Chair of UITP MENA Division, Dubai Kaan and his guests talked about not only public transport in the Middle East post-COVID, but also the exciting future in what has been a very car-centric region. In previous episodes of Transit Unplugged from the Middle East, one of the most interesting things has been the interweaving of taxis into the larger public transport system. Now with autonomous taxis becoming a reality, even more exciting opportunities are happening in the region. Now with metro systems being built across the region, as well as zero emissions fleets, the Middle East is showing its colors as one of the most innovative regions in the world. If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo and these fine folks: Dr. Kaan Yildizgoz, guest host Julie Gates, executive producer Tris Hussey, editor and writer Tatyana Mechkarova, social media Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - Facebook Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter 00:00 Welcome to the Transit Unplugged CEO Live Roundtable 00:03 Introduction from Kaan Yildizgoz 00:51 Introducing the Panelists: Leaders of Global Mobility 02:32 Exploring Post-COVID Mobility Trends and Priorities 04:18 Focusing on the Middle East: Challenges and Innovations in Mobility 10:38 The Future of Mobility: Digitalization and Autonomous Taxis 19:10 Concluding Remarks and Future Aspirations in Mobility 23:42 Thank you for listening
S7 E24 · Wed, April 10, 2024
Public Transit Trumps Politics in Oklahoma City with Mayor David Holt
Usually on Transit Unplugged we bring you the voices and stories of transit leaders from around the world, but this week we have something a little different. Join Paul as he sits down with Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt to talk about transit, politics, and changing how people view public transit in his city. As David describes it, like many cities West of the Mississippi, Oklahoma City was planned, developed, and built for cars. Transit was seen as transportation of last resort. What this translated into was a sporadic and sparse transit system where people could wait a hour for the next bus after walking miles to get to a stop that's just a stick in the mud. David and his predecessor thought it was time to change that and create a modern, robust transit system in Oklahoma's capital city. Now the city is building out its bus route network, putting in bus rapid transit (BRT), and looking at light rail to connect two key suburbs. David's plan hinges on doing big things in small steps over the course of a few years. Instead of proposing a massive light rail network, he's proposing this smaller, focused project to prove it out and build support for the project over the long-term. We think you'll enjoy this refreshing discussion from a pro-transit politician who is building support regardless of your politics. Coming up next week on the show we have Justin Stuehrenberg, General Manager of the Madison Metro Transit System talking about his big projects happening in his city. If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo and these fine folks: Paul Comfort, host and producer Julie Gates, executive producer Tris Hussey, editor and writer Tatyana Mechkarova, social media Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - Facebook Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter 00:00 Welcome to Transit Unplugged 00:05 Introducing Mayor David Holt and Oklahoma City's Transit Vision 02:04 The Geography and Demographics of Oklahoma City 05:33 Embark: Oklahoma City's Public Transit System 07:42 The Evolution of Public Transit in Oklahoma City 12:37 Funding Transit: The Role of MAPS Initiatives 16:32 The Future of Transit: Regional Transit Authority and Light Rail Plans 22:32 Political Perspectives on Transit
S7 E23 · Wed, April 03, 2024
Tom Gerend and KC Streetcar contribute billions to Kansas City's economy
Update July 31, 2024: This podcast episode, the companion podcast episode, and the Transit Unplugged TV episode were honored with a Spotlight Award by the South West Transit Association. More info here: https://transitunplugged.com/transit-unplugged-2024-spotlight-award/ We kicked off 2024 with an episode with Rep. Earl Blumenauer-- https://transit-unplugged.captivate.fm/portland-streetcar --who could be credited for the modern streetcar boom in America, and this week we see how streetcars actually drive billions in economic development in Kansas City. Streetcars aren't just moving people and connecting the city in Kansas City, they are driving businesses like the aptly named Streetcar Grill which stands in what used to be a parking lot. Tom Gerend has been part of the Kansas City streetcar project since the beginning, first as part of the planning organization that put the project in motion and now as Executive Director of KC Streetcar. For Tom, this streetcar network is his baby; it's a project that creates a legacy for all of Kansas City. But that's not where we start off the interview. Historic Union Station in Kansas City was left to rot and ruin; almost demolished from disuse, but a ballot initiative brought it back to life and is now a landmark for the city. Union Station isn't just a transportation hub for the streetcar and Amtrak, it's a gathering place for the entire city. Tom took Paul for a tour of this architectural jewel and everything that's inside, including a model train exhibit and a science museum! From Union Station, Tom takes Paul on the streetcar to tell him all about the network and its contributions to the city. From low floors that make it easy for anyone to board to keeping the system fare-free, KC Streetcar is fast becoming integral to the city. Paul and Tom finish up at the Streetcar Grill and talk more about his career, the plans for the streetcar network, and the economic benefits it's brought to the city. And if all of this sounds amazing, you can see it all on April 11th on Transit Unplugged TV! Make sure you subscribe on YouTube so you don't miss this episode! https://www.youtube.com/@transitunplugged In case you missed last week's episode with KCATA CEO Frank White, give it a listen now to learn more about Kansas City and its transit system: https://transitunplugged.com/transit-unplugged-podcast/frank-white-iii-kcata-tod/ Additional music by Kemet the Phantom "Get Out" ft. The Pharoahs iTunes - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbjh6WWlVanFaWEVrZDFfMXV1U
S7 E22 · Wed, March 27, 2024
Can KCATA Make Transit Oriented Development a Reality in Kansas City?
Update July 31, 2024: This podcast episode, the companion podcast episode, and the Transit Unplugged TV episode were honored with a Spotlight Award by the South West Transit Association. More info here: https://transitunplugged.com/transit-unplugged-2024-spotlight-award/ Frank White III is a strong advocate of Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and has a track record of making it happen. He oversaw TOD for Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) before becoming CEO nearly two years ago, now faced with a fiscal cliff, Frank is pushing KCATA into the future of transit and TOD. KCATA was one of the first systems to go fare free during the pandemic, but that decision to keep people riding has a clear cost--KCATA doesn't have farebox revenue to close funding gaps, but TOD could change that. Developing land managed by the agency could bring in not only more revenue for the agency, but also an economic boost for the region. Already the KCATA MAX BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) line is connecting parts of the city cut off from one another, and combined with KC Streetcar (a separate but cooperative agency), brings real economic development to both sides of the Kansas-Missouri border. To make this all happen Frank has to undo decades of KCATA neglecting its role to manage and oversee transportation and development for the entire two-state, seven-county region. Listen to this conversation with Paul Comfort including a conversation on TOD while riding the MAX BRT line through the city. Next week we stay in KC and learn about the streetcar system and how it's creating connections and economic opportunity in the city--including the Streetcar Cafe born on the streetcar line thanks to bringing people to the area. If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo and these fine folks: Paul Comfort, host and producer Julie Gates, executive producer Tris Hussey, editor and writer Tatyana Mechkarova, social media Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads - Instagram - Facebook Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter 00:00 Frank White, III and KCATA 00:57 Inside the Kans
S7 E21 · Wed, March 20, 2024
Special Episode: Are we thinking about cars the wrong way? from The Future of Mobility Podcast
Welcome to another special edition of Transit Unplugged featuring an episode from another transit podcast. This time we welcome past guest Brandon Bartneck with an episode from The Future of Mobility featuring autonomous vehicle visionary Larry Burns. The episode was released in August 2023. The original show notes are below: Aug 2023 https://brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/larryburns2/ Larry Burns is a pioneer in the electrified and automated vehicle space, highly successful industry veteran, and author of Autonomy: The Quest to Build the Driverless Car – And How It Will Reshape Our World. Larry joins the Future of Mobility podcast for a second time, previously appearing on Episode 93: https://brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/larryburns/ Key topics in this conversation include: The true objective for transportation, and why we buy cars Why accessibility trumps speed The need to get the crash out of the system and get the mass out of the system What automakers have missed over the past few decades How we can create a safer transportation ecosystem Why Larry is so optimistic about the future Listen here: Apple Podcasts: link Google Podcasts: link Spotify: link Links: Larry’s website: https://www.lawrencedburns.org/ Autonomy book: https://www.amazon.com/Autonomy-Quest-Driverless-Car-Reshape/dp/0062661124 Larry’s Bio: Larry Burns advises organizations on the future of mobility, logistics, manufacturing, energy and innovation. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Niron Magnetics. His current clients include Kitson & Partners, Nanoramic Laboratories, Neural Propulsion Systems and Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE). Larry served as General Motors Corporate Vice President of Research & Development and Planning from 1998-2009. After leaving GM, Larry has been a Professor of Engineering Practice at the University of Michigan, the Director of the Program for
S7 E20 · Wed, March 13, 2024
Can Hydrogen Hubs Push Hydrogen to the Forefront of Transportation Fuels?
Hydrogen is one of the hottest topics in transit right now, but hydrogen is facing a huge challenge to reduce its cost and increase its availability across North America (and the world). Paul sits down with Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA) CEO Kirt Conrad--who manages the largest fleet of hydrogen fuel cell buses outside California--and Ballard Power Systems Dir of Market Development and Public Affairs, Tim Sasseen to talk about hydrogen as a fuel, how hydrogen fuel cells work, and how the hydrogen hub project will break down barriers to adopting hydrogen as the zero-emissions fuel of choice. If you're interested in learning more about hydrogen and hydrogen fuel cells, here is a playlist of Transit Unplugged episodes on the topic: https://transit-unplugged.captivate.fm/hydrogen-fuel-in-transit We also have a blog post on the Transit Unplugged blog explaining how hydrogen fuel cells work: https://transitunplugged.com/transit-unplugged-transit-science-understanding-hydrogen-fuel-cells/ Some of the organizations mentioned in the show: Hydrogen Fuel Bus Council https://www.hfcbuscouncil.com/ Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, Hydrogen Hubs https://www.energy.gov/oced/regional-clean-hydrogen-hubs-0 Midwest Hydrogen Center of Excellence https://www.midwesthydrogen.org/ Coming up next week we have another feed swap! This time we have past guest Brandon Bartneck with Larry Burns, former VP at GM and leader in the autonomous vehicle space, talking about the future of autonomous vehicles from The Future of Mobility. In the meantime, check out Brandon's podcast page for more great episodes. https://brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/ If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo and these fine folks: Paul Comfort, host and producer Julie Gates, executive producer Tris Hussey, editor and writer Tatyana Mechkarova, social media Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - <a href="https://twitter.com/tran
S7 E19 · Wed, March 06, 2024
Placemaking in Tulsa: Secret Tunnels, Art Deco Buildings, and a Downtown Reborn Powered by Transit with Chase Phillips
In part two of our series featuring Tulsa, OK, host Paul Comfort gets a special tour of Downtown Tulsa with Chase Phillips, the Director of Planning for MetroLink Tulsa. Chase talks about the city's rich history, architectural wonders, and the role of transit in its development. Chase sheds light on Tulsa's transformation from a 1920s hub of oil wealth, with the largest airport in the world at the time, to a vibrant city maintaining its historic charm with a modern makeover. They tour the city, exploring some iconic Art Deco buildings, hidden tunnels, and experiencing the quiet streets of downtown Tulsa. Chase credits public transit for playing a key role in Tulsa's resurgence and shares his vision for the future of transit in the city, including expanding Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and microtransit. If you missed last week's episode, catch up with Paul's interview with Scott Marr, CEO of MetroLink Tulsa: https://transitunplugged.com/transit-unplugged-podcast/scott-marr-and-metrolink-tulsa-get-their-kicks-on-route-66-with-brt-and-microtransit/ Coming up next week we have a special panel talking about hydrogen fuel and the hydrogen hubs initiative in the U.S. to lower the cost of hydrogen for transportation and industry. The panel features regular guest SARTA CEO, Kirt Conrad and Tim Sesseen Dir of Market Development and Public Affairs at Ballard Power with insights into the growth of hydrogen as the fuel of the future for transportation. If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo and these fine folks: Paul Comfort, host and producer Julie Gates, executive producer Tris Hussey, editor and writer Tatyana Mechkarova, social media Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Instagram - Facebook Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter 00:00 Introduction and Overview 01:26 Exploring Tulsa's History and Architecture 05:25 Downtown Tulsa: A Blend of Old and New 07:07 Transit in Tulsa: Past, Present, and Future 09:23 Unveiling the Hidden Tunnels of Tulsa 13
S7 E18 · Wed, February 28, 2024
Scott Marr and MetroLink Tulsa get their kicks on Route 66 with BRT and microtransit
In the first of two podcast episodes--and an upcoming Transit Unplugged TV episode--from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Paul chats with MetroLink Tulsa ( https://www.tulsatransit.org/ ) CEO Scott Marr about: His city His career in transit The overwhelming success of microtransit and merging it with paratransit operations His plans for expanding Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) to Route 66 for the 100th anniversary And the path to lower emissions with CNG and battery-electric buses After a long career as a transit fixer across the U.S., Scott returned to Tulsa as the CEO taking the reins of a system revitalized with BRT and microtransit. But it's not all smooth sailing for Scott and his team. Plans to expand BRT to historic Route 66 for its 100th anniversary in a couple years have hit a bump in the road with a $15M shortfall caused by inflation and price increases beyond his control. Undaunted, Scott is rallying his team and seeking support from the FTA and other sources to make this happen in time. Tulsa is also our next feature city on Transit Unplugged TV on YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/@transitunplugged ) . You don't want to miss seeing all the Americana that is Route 66, plus Paul's standup comedy routine at an open mic night. Check out the episode Thursday, March 14. Coming up next week, we stay in Tulsa with MetroLink Tulsa Director of Planning Chase Phillips talking about the unique places that make Tulsa one of the most iconic cities in the U.S. If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo and these fine folks: Paul Comfort, host and producer Julie Gates, executive producer Tris Hussey, editor and writer Tatyana Mechkarova, social media Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Instagram - Facebook Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter 00:00 Introduction and B
S7 E17 · Wed, February 21, 2024
Special Episode: Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardener with Art Guzzetti from The Transit Authority
This is a special episode of Transit Unplugged shared with us from our friends at the Transit Authority by APTA . Recorded live at APTA EXPO 2023 in Orlando, Florida, Art Guzzetti, VP of Policy and Mobility at APTA, interviews Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardener. Make sure you follow the Transit Authority wherever you listen to podcasts. Here are the show notes for this episode originally released October, 12, 2023. "Recorded on the trade show floor at APTA’s EXPO 2023 in Orlando, Florida, our special guest Stephen Gardener, CEO of Amtrak, discusses a wide range of topics including Amtrak’s role in linking cities, regions and rural America, how intercity passenger rail travel options can be made more attractive, recent and upcoming Amtrak system improvements, career advice for students, and more." If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo and these fine folks: Paul Comfort, host and producer Julie Gates, executive producer Tris Hussey, editor and writer Tatyana Mechkarova, social media Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Instagram - Facebook Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter 00:03 Introduction and Overview from Paul Comfort 01:10 The Role of Amtrak in Public Transportation 02:22 Stephen Gardner's Journey in Railroading 06:23 Amtrak's Future Plans and Investments 11:46 The Importance of High-Speed Rail 29:13 Amtrak's Impact on Rural America 36:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 39:55 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged
S7 E16 · Wed, February 14, 2024
Holly Arnold her path to the top job and managing the largest P3 in the U.S.
Holly Arnold has spent her entire career at the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA). Starting as a contractor in grants administration then leading capital planning and then Deputy Administrator responsible for engineering before she became Administrator and CEO two years ago. The head of the MTA is a massive job. Not only is she responsible for massive capital projects--like the largest public-private partnership (P3) in the U.S., the Purple Line--she is responsible for transit in the City of Baltimore, supporting all the other transit agencies in the state, commuter bus, commuter rail, subways, and paratransit. Running the MTA is like running five agencies at once! Two years into the role, Holly talks with host Paul Comfort about the agency, her career, and the massive projects she is delivering. She talks about what she learned from each step on the way and how seizing opportunities as they presented themselves got her to the top job. Delivering one large scale project is hard enough, but Holly is wrangling several expansions, including supporting Amtrak with a new tunnel to support higher speed passenger rail traffic. Holly talks candidly about her work and how her approach of getting her hands dirty learning about projects has helped her rise through the ranks to lead one of the largest transit agencies in North America. Coming up next week, we have a special episode from APTA's Transit Authority podcast. APTA Vice President for Mobility Initiatives and Public Policy, Art Guzzetti talks with Amtrak CEO Stephcen Gardener live from the APTA EXPO in Orlando. This episode was originally released October 12, 2023. Learn more about The Transit Authority and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts (https://podcast.apta.com/) We're excited to announce a special Transit Unplugged live CEO round table. Hosted by Dr. Kaan Yildizgöz at UITP MENA Transport Congress and Exhibition (https://www.menatransport.org/website/3387/home/) on February the 29th at the Trapeze booth. We'll have guests, including UITP President Renee Amilcar and the Director General of the Integrated Transport Center in Abu Dhabi, Abdulla Al Marzooqi. The MENA Transport Congress and Exhibition 2024 is the premier event focusing on sustainable urban mobility solutions in the MENA region. It takes place in Dubai from February 28th to March 1st, the event is co-organized by UITP and Dubai's RTA. The MENA Transport Congress and Exhibition has been a leading platform for showcasing advancements in public transport since 2007. If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo and these fine folks
S7 E15 · Wed, February 07, 2024
What's the secret sauce to increasing ridership 27% in one year?
When you think of big city transit agencies you think about Boston, New York, Toronto, LA, San Francisco...maybe not Mississauga, Ontario. It might surprise you that this city of one million people supports a transit system with over 500 buses and serves as the essential connector between cities East, West, and North (South is Lake Ontario). Mississauga Transit (or MiWay) helps people in Brampton, Oakville, and Toronto get to jobs and school. But they seem to be doing something right because they've increased ridership 27% over the last year and are at 109% of their 2019 ridership levels (let's stop saying the "p" word). Eve Wiggins recently took the helm of MiWay after almost a decade at the TTC and Metrolinx and before that a decade at the Toronto Airport Authority. Eve certainly knows how to get people where they want to go, in the air or on the ground. While she's only been at MiWay a short time, she has a big vision and big plans for the agency to grow and expand over the next five years. But you can't execute your vision on your own. You need to lead people and clear the roadblocks in their way. Eve subscribes to the CASTLE (Courage, Authenticity, Truthfulness, Love, and Effectiveness) leadership philosophy and you will want to listen to how she describes her leadership style. It's pretty inspiring just listening to how she approaches getting things done and relying on others when she knows she doesn't have all the answers. Coming up next week we have Holly Arnold, CEO of the Maryland Transit Administration about her career at the MTA and the massive projects she has on the go there. We're excited to announce a special Transit Unplugged live CEO round table. Hosted by Dr. Khan you'll Legos at UITP MENA Transport Congress and Exhibition on February the 29th at the Trapeze booth. We'll have guests, including UITP President, Renee Amilcar and the Director General of the Integrated Transport Center in Abu Dhabi, Abdulla Al Marzooqi. The MENA Transport Congress and Exhibition 2024 is the premier event focusing on sustainable urban mobility solutions in the MENA region. It takes place in Dubai from February 28th to March 1st, the event is co-organized by UITP and Dubai's RTA. The MENA Transport Congress and Exhibition has been a leading platform for showcasing advancements in public transport since 2007. If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo and these fine folks: Paul Comfort, host and producer Julie Gates, executive producer Tris Hussey, editor and writer Tatyana Mechkarova, social media<
S7 E14 · Wed, January 31, 2024
Hidden Transit Heroes Revealed: How Rural Transit Serves Unseen Communities
When we think about public transit we often think about subways or buses travelling through bustling cities, we don't often think of small towns in the midst of woods and fields. But the reality is there are thousands of rural transit agencies in North America serving people and places miles and miles away from each other. In this episode, host Paul Comfort talks with with Wendy Weedon, Deputy CEO of the Brazos Transit District in Texas, and Eddie VanStein, the Steuben County Mobility Manager in Upstate New York, to discuss the often overlooked topic of rural transportation. Wendy and Eddie talk about the unique transportation issues faced by rural communities, including the necessity for collaboration, breaking down silos, and getting funding for their programs. They highlight how essential transportation services are to rural communities, serving a diverse range of needs like medical appointments, groceries and social connections. Wendy talks about the ongoing challenges they face with funding, fleet maintenance, and staff retention. Issues that resonate with transit agencies large and small. Eddie's job is to help the six different agencies in a county nearly the size of Rhode Island, coordinate and collaborate. But Eddie shares his real motivator to become involved in the sector--a tearful call from his grandmother who was out of food and no way to get to the store 20 miles away. He knew he had to do something and started a rideshare program during the pandemic to just get people to where they needed to go. The most crucial part of their message is raising awareness of the challenges rural agencies face. And how, unlike big city agencies, people in rural communities don't have the option to walk, take a taxi, or call a neighbor to drive them. Often public transit is the only way people can get around. Next week we go from small towns to the biggest North American transit operation you may not have heard of with Eve Wiggins, Director of Mississauga Transit (MiWay), for a look at an agency with over 500 buses that grew ridership 27% last year and is at 109% of 2019 ridership numbers. Learn the secret sauce that powers MiWay's success. If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo and these fine folks: Paul Comfort, host and producer Julie Gates, executive producer Tris Hussey, editor and writer Tatyana Mechkarova, social media 0:00 Transit is an essential lifeblood in rural communities 00:25 Guest Introductions and backgrounds 03:36 The Importance of Transit in Rural Areas 10:26 Challenges in Rural Transportation 14:21 Looking Ahead: The Future of Rural Transit 22:58 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged
S7 E13 · Wed, January 24, 2024
If we can't get new buses, how can we move more people?
There is more than a little bit of irony that when we have unprecedented levels of funding to buy and replace buses, there is a manufacturing crunch so there are few buses to be had--and with longer delivery times. From manufacturing delays and fewer manufacturers to massive price increases, agencies are pushing buses well beyond their useful life. How can we solve this crisis to not only meet the needs of today's riders, but make the transition to zero emissions? To talk about the topic, this week's show features: - Ed Redfern and Joel Rubin from the Bus Coalition - Julia Castillo and Brooke Ramsey from the Heart of Iowa Regional Transit Agency - Patrick Scully from Complete Coach Works In two separate interviews we hear about the challenges agencies are facing getting and paying for buses and some recommendations from industry on some alternatives to new buses that might help bridge the gap while manufacturing and supply chain issues work themselves out. Next week on the show we have Eddie VanStine and Wendy Weedon talking about rural transit. There are thousands of rural transit agencies across North America--and the world--who serve some of our most vulnerable people. But rural transit is often forgotten, with big city transit agencies getting the lion's share of attention and funding. Questions or comments? Contact us at info@transitunplugged.com Subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.transitunplugged.com Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com Transit Unplugged team: Paul Comfort, host and producer Julie Gates, executive producer Tris Hussey, editor and writer Tatyana Mechkarova, social media 00:00 Interview with Ed Redfern, Joel Rubin, Brooke Ramsey, and Julia Castillo 01:13 Introduction and Panel Discussion on Bus Shortage 02:28 Understanding the Role and Challenges of the Bus Coalition 06:39 Discussion on the Rising Costs and Supply Chain Issues 12:32 Exploring Potential Solutions: Buy America Waiver and More 22:22 Interview with Patrick Scully 22:28 Insights from Complete Coachworks: Overhauls, Used Equipment, and Conversions 30:11 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged
S7 E12 · Wed, January 17, 2024
Just Don't Make Expensive Mistakes and Other Lessons from Adam Barth, CEO of the Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority
Sometimes we're so afraid of making mistakes, that we don't push ourselves to take a chance on a new innovative idea. We've all been there, but in this conversation Adam Barth, CEO of the Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority--https://stanrta.org/--, reveals advice he got from a mentor at a critical time in his career. Paul Comfort sat down with Adam Barth, CEO of Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority to talk about his career journey from starting our as a tour bus driver in Fairbanks, Alaska, to leading the newly merged transit Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority in Modesto, California. Adam talks about the challenges he faced while merging the county and city transit systems, and the lessons learned from the experience. Adam also discusses the agency's plans for implementing bus rapid transit and their move towards zero-emission buses. Finally, Barth emphasizes the importance of transit leaders riding their systems to better understand their customers and their needs with a story about simply just taking the bus to work. Transit Unplugged team: Paul Comfort, host and producer Julie Gates, executive producer Tris Hussey, editor and writer Tatyana Mechkarova, social media 00:04 Introduction and Background of Adam Barth 02:42 Adam Barth's Career Journey in Transit Industry 05:06 Learning from Mistakes: A Key to Success 08:01 The Merger of City and County Transit Systems 11:09 Challenges and Future Plans for Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority 20:56 The Importance of Riding the System as a Transit Leader 24:30 Don't miss the Executive Summit at ThinkTransit March 25th! 26:04 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged
S7 E11 · Wed, January 10, 2024
How SEPTA is Making a Difference in the Lives of Vulnerable People
Host Paul Comfort interviews Ken Divers, Director of Outreach Programs at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), and Flora Castillo, President of Pivot Strategies and former APTA chair, about SEPTA's innovative SCOPE (Safety, Cleaning, Ownership, Partnership, and Engagement) program. Ken and Flora talk with Paul about how they created the program over a weekend and its goals for helping vulnerable people. One of the main goals is connecting people with resources to help them with housing, food, healthcare, and other services, but SCOPE is also about playing an active role in the homelessness crisis. SEPTA--and transit agencies--can't solve the crisis of the growing number of unhoused people on their own, but they often bear the brunt of the effects. People just looking for a warm and dry place need to be helped and supported, not treated as unwanted guests. The SCOPE program makes sure everyone is treated with the respect and dignity they deserve while also keeping SEPTA safe for everyone. The SCOPE program won APTA's 2022 Innovation Award for its groundbreaking work helping people access resources and get a fresh start with a whole new approach to the problem. Flora and Ken's excitement and pride in their work should inspire all of us to look at how to help vulnerable people in new ways. Enforcement isn't always the best option, and SCOPE has shown their approach can make a real difference in people's lives. If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo. Transit Unplugged team: Paul Comfort, host and producer Julie Gates, executive producer Tris Hussey, editor and writer Tatyana Mechkarova, social media 00:03 Introduction and Background 01:17 Interview with Ken Divers and Flora Castillo 02:03 The Birth of the SCOPE Program 05:49 The Journey and Impact of Kenneth Divers 09:24 The Approach and Success of the SCOPE Program 13:16 Partnerships and Future Directions 20:46 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged
S7 E10 · Wed, January 03, 2024
Creating the first modern streetcar network and the storied career of Congressman Earl Blumenauer
Over his five-decade long career in politics Congressman Earl Blumenauer has been a staunch support of transit and livable cities. Paul sat down with Rep. Blumenauer after a chance meeting at the Impact Conference in Phoenix last fall to talk about his life, career, passions, and what's next after he leaves Congress at the end of his term. In their wide-ranging discussion, Paul and Rep. Blumenauer talk about what got him into politics, and more importantly, his lifelong passion for streetcars, transit, livable communities, and bikes. It's not often you get to hear from someone who has had his hand on the wheel of transit policy for so long. From his early work in Portland to create the first modern streetcar line in the U.S. to his continued passion for livable communities that will keep him busy when he retires from Congress at the end of his term this year, you get a true sense of passion and insight into what really moves people. As we come into an election year in the U.S. strong advocacy for transit, sustainability, and more livable cities will be more important than ever. Coming up next week on the show we have Ken Divers and Flora Castillo talking about the SEPTA SCOPE program that's aimed at helping vulnerable populations get the help they need while also making transit safer for everyone. If you have a question, comment, or want to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us at info@transitunplugged.com. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:25 Interview with Congressman Earl Blumenauer 05:47 Discussion on Streetcars and Public Transit 09:52 Congressman's Career and Achievements 24:13 Future Plans and Final Thoughts 26:31 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged
Bonus · Fri, December 29, 2023
Special Episode: Jeff Wood and Dr. Karel Martens on planning our cities for accessibility
We have a special holiday gift for you with a special bonus episode to close out the year. We worked with Jeff Wood from Talking Headways and The Overhead Wire -- https://theoverheadwire.com/ -- to trade episodes with each other. Jeff will be playing our interview with Randy Clarke that kicked off Season 7 and we have his interview with Dr. Karel Martens from March 2021 talking about the philosophy behind city planning. This is something very different from our usual topics, and we hope you enjoy it. Make sure you check out The Overhead Wire and Talking Headways wherever you get your podcasts. Questions, comments? Email us at info@transitunplugged.com. 00:02 Introduction with Paul Comfort and Jeff Wood 01:01 About the Talking Headways Podcast 02:05 Introducing the Guest and Topic 03:19 How to Access the Talking Headways Podcast 03:41 Interview with Karel Martens with Jeff Wood of the Overhead Wire 03:47 Interview with Karel Martens 13:10 Exploring Theories of Justice in Transport 27:59 Understanding the Concept of Fair Distribution 28:33 Exploring the Idea of Insurance Schemes in Resource Distribution 29:46 Applying the Veil of Ignorance to Transport System Design 31:03 The Importance of Accessibility in Transport Systems 37:21 The Role of Government in Providing Sufficient Accessibility 49:46 Re-evaluating the Use of Cost-Benefit Analysis in Transport Planning 56:16 Thank you for listening and what's coming in January
S7 E9 · Wed, December 27, 2023
Taylor Swift and the rebirth of transit in 2023
In our final regular episode of Transit Unplugged for 2023 we have Paul Skoutelas, President & CEO of APTA, and Petra Mollet, VP of Strategic International Programs at APTA talking with Paul about the year that was in 2023 and what we should be looking forward to in 2024. The boost in infrastructure funding was, of course, the big news of the year, but it's somewhat overshadowed by ongoing funding issues at many agencies across North America. But it's not all bad, because Taylor Swift's Eras Tour introduced a whole new audience to transit this year. In city after city, the Eras Tour triggered massive transit use to get to the concerts. Heading into 2024, everyone is optimistic that we're finally shaking off the focus on ridership numbers and moving towards what is the service we're offering, and are we serving everyone we should? Before we completely close out the year, we have a very special episode. We've traded episodes with the Talking Headways podcast and bringing you a special episode on the philosophy of planning our cities to be more accessible and inclusive. Learn more at https://theoverheadwire.com/ . We kick off the New Year with Rep. Earl Blumeneaur talking about his over fifty years of public service and his life-long advocacy for better transit. If you have a question or comment email us at info@transitunplugged.com . 0:00 Year end wrap up with Paul Skoutelas and Petra Mollet 00:02 Introduction and Guest Overview 00:50 Reflecting on the Success of Transit Unplugged in 2023 03:00 Discussion with APTA Leaders: Reflecting on 2023 and Looking Ahead to 2024 03:52 Insights from Paul Skoutelas on APTA and Public Transit 05:47 Discussion on Public and Private Sector Collaboration 07:26 Challenges and Successes in Public Transit in 2023 15:06 International Perspectives on Public Transit 15:17 Insights from International Study Missions 19:50 Looking Ahead: Trends and Predictions for 2024 26:53 Closing Remarks 27:51 Coming up next on Transit Unplugged
S7 E8 · Wed, December 20, 2023
Can Public-Private Partnerships Complete Transit Projects Faster?
Welcome to the penultimate episode of Transit Unplugged for 2023! This week we wrap our series recorded at the CUTA conference in Edmonton with an interview with Arthur Nicolet, CEO of Transdev Canada ( https://www.transdev.ca/en/ ). Paul and Arthur not only talk about contracting in Canada, but pairing with the episode featuring Transdev US CEO Laura Hendricks, talk about the role of contracting around the world. Contracting seems to naturally pair with public-private partnerships (P3s) and Arthur talks about the benefits for all sides when agencies and private contractors are free to find the best solution to solve the problem at hand, not the solution people initially thought would be the right one. Paul and Arthur wrap the conversation with a look at ahead to 2024 and the role of AI in transit--one of our favorite topics here on Transit Unplugged. Next week in the final episode of 2023, we have Paul Skoutelas and Petra Mollet of APTA looking back at the year and ahead to what's to come. And we're going to have a special bonus episode coming out December 29th, so stay tuned for that. If you have a question or comment, you can reach us at info@transitunplugged.com . 00:00 Introduction to this episode by Paul Comfort 01:48 Introduction and Background of Transdev Canada 04:37 Understanding Public-Private Partnerships 09:58 The Role of Contractors in Public Transit 15:50 Future Trends in Public Transit 23:19 The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Public Transit 26:01 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged
S7 E7 · Wed, December 13, 2023
Is the great hydrogen pivot coming to transit in 2024?
Will battery electric buses work in the northern-most large city in North America? This week on Transit Unplugged, we continue our series from the CUTA conference in Edmonton, AB. Edmonton has been leading the way in transit for 20 years. The first city in Canada to have LRT and now the first city to have a hydrogen fuel cell bus in active service. So what's next? Deputy City Manager--and former head of the Edmonton Transit System--Eddie Robar talks about plans to make oil-rich Alberta the hydrogen capital of Canada. Then we get a tour of Canada's largest electric bus garage with current head of Edmonton Transit (https://www.edmonton.ca/edmonton-transit-system-ets), Carrie Hotton-MacDonald. Carrie takes Paul for a tour of the Kathleen Andrews bus garage with modern amenities for drivers and advanced charging for their battery electric fleet. And if you liked this audio tour, you'll love Transit Unplugged TV this month featuring Edmonton! The episode premiers December 14. Coming up next week, we have a special chat with Arthur Nicolet CEO of Transdev Canada to talk about contracting in Canada and what the biggest trends in transit are. Speaking of transit trends, our final episode of the year airs December 27th featuring Paul Skoutelas, CEO of APTA and Petra Mollet VP of Strategy and International Programs at APTA looking back at transit in 2023 and ahead to what will shape transit in 2024. We'll have a special bonus holiday episode we think you'll really enjoy from another transit podcast. Stay tuned for that! Questions? Email: info@transitunplugged.com 0:00 Is the great hydrogen pivot coming to transit in 2024? 00:00 Introduction to Edmonton's Transit Innovations 01:39 Edmonton's Transition to Alternate Fuels 02:38 Edmonton's Electrification Journey 05:24 Inside Edmonton's Hydrogen Powered Buses 09:11 Career Pathways in Public Transportation 11:33 ThinkTransit Registration is open! 13:05 Interview with Carrie Hotton-MacDonald, Head of Edmonton Transit 13:16 In the Kathleen Andrews Bus Garage 14:32 Dispatch area 14:56 Operator Lounge 15:24 In the garage--charging infrastructure 16:13 How buses are charged 17:28 Inside an electric bus 19:12 Dealing with the cold and scale of the garage 23:15 Edmonton's New LRT Line and Future Plans 25:18 Outside the bus garage
S7 E6 · Wed, December 06, 2023
What if public transit agencies drove housing policy?
This week we have the first of three episodes recorded during the CUTA (Canadian Urban Transit Association) Annual Fall Conference. In this first episode, Paul first sits down with the President and CEO of CUTA, Marco D’Angelo talking about housing policy, and later with regular contributor Mike Bismeyer, talking about how Mike started his life-long kindness advocacy. Paul and Marco talk about CUTA’s recent report on the housing affordability crisis in Canada https://cutaactu.ca/cuta-report-highlight-how-public-transit-can-help-tackle-canadas-housing-crisis/ . Marco talks about some of the recommendations in the report, but more importantly, he advocates for evolving the role of transit in planning and housing to be more active and collaborative at all levels of government. In the second half of the show, Mike Bismeyer and Paul talk about how Mike’s experience being bullied as a kid turned into his life-long advocacy for kindness and mentorship. Next week on the show, we learn about Edmonton Transit’s new hydrogen-powered bus with Eddie Robar and Carrie Hotten MacDonald. If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . 00:00 Introduction 01:28 Discussion on the CUTA Conference and Housing in Canada 04:07 Insights on the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) 04:32 Exploring the Housing Affordability Crisis in Canada 08:29 Recommendations from the Housing Study 15:51 Interview with Mike Bismeyer on Kindness and Mentorship 21:21 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged
S7 E5 · Wed, November 29, 2023
Meeting The Transit Needs and Keeping Cool in America's Fastest Growing County
This week we’re staying in Phoenix and picking up where we left off last week. Paul talks with current Valley Metro (https://www.valleymetro.org/) CEO Jessica Mefford-Miller about the light rail expansion, but more than that, Jessica talks about how Valley Metro keeps its cool in the scorching summer heat. You would not believe the amount of air conditioning needed for each light rail train. Small hint, it’s more than a house or two. While riding the LRT and streetcars Paul and Jessica talk about how Valley Metro is helping businesses deal with construction and how Artsline brings art to the community while taking transit. As a special feature, Paul talks with Ryan Johnson, CEO of Culdesac, about this car-free planned community outside of Tempe—with its own light rail stop! Valley Metro and Phoenix will be the stars of the show on Transit Unplugged TV in January. Make sure you subscribe on YouTube you so don’t miss this smokin’ hot episode. https://www.youtube.com/@transitunplugged Next week on the show we have Marco D’Angelo President and CEO of CUTA (Canadian Urban Transit Association) and regular contributor Mike Bismeyer with interviews recorded at the recent CUTA conference held in Edmonton, AB. Question or comment? Email us at info@transitunplugged.com. 0:00 Beating the heat at Valley Metro 01:26 Introduction to Valley Metro Light Rail 02:01 Addressing Construction Impact on Local Businesses 03:00 Exploring the Valley Metro System and its Expansion 04:15 Adapting to Post-Pandemic Ridership Patterns and Heat Challenges 11:57 Exploring Culdesac: A Car-Free Neighborhood 18:03 New LRT trains at Valley Metro and the growth of LRT 18:51 Artsline: community art across Valley Metro stops and stations 20:29 The Future of Valley Metro and Transit in Phoenix 22:22 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged
S7 E4 · Wed, November 22, 2023
That Time When Defeating a Ballot Measure Was Good for Transit with Scott Smith
Usually when people vote on ballot measures about transit, the transit agency and supporters want the measure to pass. Not in Phoenix in 2019. That ballot measure would have literally derailed bringing light rail--any rail--to Phoenix forever. Then Valley Metro CEO Scott Smith rallied support throughout Maricopa County and discovered there was overwhelming support for transit and light rail. So much support that the ballot measure was defeated by a landslide. But we start this episode with a somber anniversary, 60 years ago today John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. In a special segment, Paul and our guest Scott Smith reflect on JFK's legacy and call to service. In our feature interview, Paul Comfort talks with the former CEO of Valley Metro (https://www.valleymetro.org/) Scott Smith about that ballot measure, as well as his time as Mayor of Mesa, AZ, President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and his run for Governor of Arizona. Paul and Scott talk about the massive investment in light rail in Phoenix and how it ties into the rest of the transit system run by Valley Metro. Scott gives his vision for what LRT means to communities and how rising costs hamper transit projects across North America. Next week we stay in Phoenix with an interview with the current CEO of Valley Metro, Jessica Mefford-Miller to bring us up to speed on the LRT project and a unique car-free community outside Tempe, AZ. We wrap this episode with Elea Carey and our editor Tris Hussey talking about practical tips for agencies facing tough ballot measures in the future. If you have a question or comment you can email us at info@transitunplugged.com 00:00 Introduction from host and producer Paul Comfort 00:54 Remembering JFK and the Call to Public Service 01:24 Reflecting on the legacy of John F. Kennedy and the call to public service 05:19 Interview with Scott Smith, former CEO of Valley Metro in Phoenix, AZ 05:19 Scott Smith's Journey into Public Service 08:37 The Challenges and Triumphs of Building Light Rail in Phoenix 13:34 The Referendum Battle and the Future of Light Rail 22:05 Reflections on the Transit Industry and Future Perspectives 26:02 Marketing minute with Elea Carey and Transit Unplugged Editor, Tris Hussey 30:42 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged
S7 E3 · Wed, November 15, 2023
Will Low Emission Zones Discourage Driving in the UK with Adam Hill
In this episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort interviews Adam Hill, Editor in Chief of ITS International Magazine. They discuss the challenges and prospects of high-speed rail in England and the US, including the various political and logistical issues. Adam explains London's new Ultra Low Emission Zone, designed to encourage public transit use and discusses the struggles with its introduction. They explore how public transit can be made popular, touching on how to capture public interest and cater to convenience for the users. Paul and Adam wrap up the episode discussing the impacts of congestion charging and low emissions zones in encouraging public transit use. In Mike's Minute, Mike Bismeyer reports from the CUTA Meeting in Edmonton about the Youth Leadership Summit and his work mentoring future transit leaders. Coming up next week we have Scott Smith, former CEO of Valley Metro reflecting on transit and leadership. If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com 00:00 Introduction and Introducing Adam Hill 01:21 Adam Hill's Background and Role at ITS International Magazine 02:38 Challenges and Developments in High Speed Rail 17:03 Exploring the Impact of ULEZ in London 21:37 Political Implications of ULEZ and Public Transit 26:21 Mike's Minute with Mike Bismeyer 28:04 Coming up next week on the show
S7 E2 · Wed, November 08, 2023
Why would a transit CEO pick up 500 tons of trash as his first priority on the job?
This week, we give you Part 2 of our special CEO roundtable recorded live at APTA TRANSform Conference and EXPO. The conversation picks up with host and producer Paul Comfort asking the panel what are the big projects they have going on. From Dave Dech's trash clearing to Coree Cuff Lonergan's just culture, each CEO highlights an essential aspect of public transit today. The discussion continues with each CEO talking about the biggest trends facing the industry, including payments, apps, transit-oriented development, and providing a better experience for customers. Make sure you listen to the whole episode with Dave Dech from TriRail, Coree Cuff Lonergan from Broward County Transit, Dottie Watkins from CapMetro in Austin, Tiffany Homler Hawkins from LYNX in Orlando, and Frank White from KCATA in Kansas City. After the CEO Roundtable, Elea Carey has some concrete tips for connecting with employees to help towards what Coree would call a "just culture". We're not done with Orlando yet! This week on Transit Unplugged TV we're featuring Orlando, LYNX, and Brightline Trains! Make sure you check us out on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@transitunplugged Here is a direct link to the Orlando episode now out https://youtu.be/0E0rtccMjCw?si=wEN85Gn3L9g892Qw Next week on the show we have Adam Hill, Editor-in-Chief of ITS International Magazine https://www.itsinternational.com/ , talking with Paul about high speed rail and the complexities of lowering emissions from passenger vehicles. If you have a question or comment email info@transitunplugged.com Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo, Passionate About Moving the World's People. 00:00 Introduction and Transition to Projects 01:06 Dave's Project: Cleaning Up the Tracks 02:48 Dottie's Project: New Station Construction 06:24 Tiffany's Project: Contactless Fare Payment 08:50 Frank's Project: Transit-Oriented Developments 11:18 Coree's Project: Creating a Just Culture 14:15 Future Technology in Transit 22:27 Best Things Happening at Agencies 28:40 Marketing Minute with Elea Carey 28:40 What's coming up next week on Transit Unplugged
S7 E1 · Wed, November 01, 2023
Randy Clarke Has Boosted WMATA, But a Budget Crisis Looms Large Over His Success
Welcome to our 6th anniversary and the start of season 7 of Transit Unplugged. Host Paul Comfort has a special opening reflecting on the past 270+ episodes so far and what lies ahead down the road. In our interview this week, we have Randy Clarke, GM and CEO of WMATA (Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority) https://www.wmata.com/ , chatting with Paul from his new LEED Platinum office building. In his first year as CEO, Randy has: fixed safety issues with his trains improved frequency increased ridership reduced fare evasion worked to reduce crime on the system and begun an ambitious project to update the Metro bus routes By any accounts, a successful first year on the job, but... But WMATA faces a looming budget shortfall larger than many agencies' entire budget. Learn how he's approaching the crisis and what he's doing to protect service levels and his people. After the interview, regular contributor Mike Bismeyer reflects on Randy's leadership and everything else he does across the transit industry. Coming up next week we have part 2 of our special new CEO roundtable recorded live at APTA TRANSform Conference and EXPO. In part two you'll hear about the projects they have on the go, what new technologies they have their eyes on, and what they want to celebrate at their agency. If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo, Passionate About Moving the World's People. Randy Clarke Has Boosted WMATA, But a Budget Crisis Looms 00:00 Introduction and Reflection on the Sixth Anniversary of the Transit Unplugged Podcast 01:09 Interview with Randy Clarke, GM of WMATA: Leading a Major Transit Agency and Facing Looming Challenges 02:07 Randy Clarke's Journey as CEO of WMATA 03:04 Challenges and Achievements at WMATA 05:58 Addressing the Fiscal Crisis in WMATA 10:09 Dealing with the Fiscal Cliff, Funding, and Budgets 17:09 Fighting Fare Evasion and Supporting Low Income Riders 19:21 Delivering a Bus Route Optimization Project in Only a Year 21:35 Efforts to Curb Crime in the Transit System 25:48 What Randy Enjoys Most About His Job 30:16 Mike's Minute with Mike Bismeyer: Reflection on Leadership and Mentorship 32:12 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged
S6 E52 · Wed, October 25, 2023
The surprising things about being a public transit CEO in 2023
What's it like being the CEO of a transit agency? Paul Comfort asked a panel of five CEOs who've been on the job for about a year what it's been like, what's surprised them the most, and why they love working in transit. Listen to this lively and engaging panel featuring Coree Cuff Lonergan, GM of Broward County Transit, Dave Dech, Executive Dir of Tri-Rail, Dottie Watkins, CEO of CapMetro, Frank White III, CEO of KCATA, and Tiffany Homler Hawkins, CEO of LYNX where they candidly share their experiences, surprises, and insights about leading a transit agency. They discuss how their work impacts the lives of their customers and what it means to them personally. They touch on all the things CEOs have to think about, plus some things you might not have thought about. It's a fascinating roundtable that showcases the passion and dedication of these transit leaders. Also on the show in Elea Carey's Marketing Minute, Elea gives you practical tips for improving internal communications at your agency. Next week is our sixth anniversary and the start of season seven! We kick off season 7 episode 1 (and our 278th episode) with Randy Clarke, CEO of WMATA. Randy talks about his first year on the job, what's gone well, what hasn't, and what a looming fiscal cliff means for his agency, his people, and riders. If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . 00:00 APTA CEO Roundtable Stories from New CEOs 00:00 Making an impact on people's lives 00:45 About this episode from your host Paul Comfort 01:33 Discussion with five new Transit CEOs recorded live at APTA TRANSform Conference and EXPO 32:41 Marketing Minute with Elea Carey 35:05 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged -- Season 6 : Episode 52 Links for this show: American Public Transportation Association Tri Rail | South Florida Regional Transportation Authority LYNX Public Transportation in Orange, Seminole & Osceola CapMetro – Austin Public Transit Broward County Transit Kansas City Regional Transit RideKC Copyright: Modaxo 2024
S6 E51 · Wed, October 18, 2023
Carl Sedoryk Putting His Community, Riders, and the Planet First
This week Paul Chats with Carl Sedoryk, CEO of Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) https://mst.org/ , about his jazz-themed BRT line, applying their new vision statement to serve the people who need transit the most better, and how his practice of martial arts makes him a better leader. Monterey-Salinas Transit is in an interesting place, geographically and within the larger transit industry. Nestled on the Pacific coast and the Salinas Valley, Carl serves a unique community from tourists to farm workers. Carl and MST approach serving the community with their new vision statement as a guidepost: Connecting communities, creating opportunities, and being kind to the planet. Everything they do must check one of those three boxes (and hopefully more). From planning for zero emissions to adjusting routes to serve areas with high unemployment/low car ownership, Carl are changing how their system works. Throughout this is an internal guide for Carl: his decades-long practice of martial arts. Hear what values he brings from his practice and how it helps him lead his agency. Mike Bismeyer connects with kindness in MST's vision and then reflects on the recent APTA Transform Conference and EXPO. How he saw examples everywhere of people and leaders sharing and mentoring others. Next week on the show we have an episode recorded live at APTA. It's a new CEO panel with Coree Cuff Lonergan, Dave Dech, Dottie Watkins, Frank White, and Tiffany Homler Hawkins reflecting on their first year as CEO at a major transit agency. Questions/comments: info@transitunplugged.com . Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo. Passionate about moving the world's people. Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) Carl Sedoryk Putting Riders and the Planet First (00:02) Does the project match our mission and vision (20:33) Mike's Minute with Mike Bismeyer (22:12) What's coming up next week on Transit Unplugged Chapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm . 6 :51 Monterey-Salinas Transit - Learn more about this unique transit district and its jazz-themed BRT line. Modaxo 2024
Bonus · Mon, October 16, 2023
Transit Unplugged News Minute: Happy 150th Birthday to the Cable Car!
Passenger trains now require video recording devices to increase safety, and happy 150th birthday to the cable car!
S6 E50 · Wed, October 11, 2023
AI in Transit Panel with Eve Machol and Renee Autumn Ray
This week we focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in public transit with Eve Machol, Director of Aviation and Transportation Strategy at Microsoft, and Renee Autumn Ray, Senior Director of Transportation Policy at Hayden AI https://www.hayden.ai/ . As both our guests point out, AI in transit isn't new; we've been using AI for years, but with recent attention on generative AI tools like ChatGPT, AI is the hot topic on everyone's minds. Eve and Renee talk with Paul and our Producer/Editor Tris Hussey about how transit agencies are already using AI, addressing concerns about using AI at your agency, and what's on the horizon for AI in the short, medium, and long term. From more dynamic route planning to predictive maintenance, traffic control to autonomous vehicles, AI is set to be the next game changing innovation in public transit. We hear from Elea Carey on how to leverage the media to communicate new programs or changes--like AI projects--to the public. It's not easy to get your message out with the right tone and angle, Elea gives you tips on leveraging owned and earned media to get the word out. Next week on the show we have Carl Sedoryk, CEO of the Monterey-Salinas Transit agency, talking about how his martial arts practice makes him a better leader and what's being done to connect more people to more opportunities in his community. If you have a question, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) AI in Public Transit Past, Present, and Future (audio) (00:03) Eve Michol -- AI is not new (00:20) The future of AI in Public Transit with Eve Michol and Renee Autumn Ray (29:55) Marketing Minute with Elea Carey (31:45) Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged Chapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm .
Bonus · Mon, October 09, 2023
Weekly News for October 9th: Robotaxis for paratransit and APTA EXPO!
[00:00:00] Julie Gates: Driverless taxis are coming soon for people who use wheelchairs, and America's flagship transit conference is underway. This is your Transit Unplugged News Minute. Welcome. Big news in the autonomous vehicle world. Cruise has unveiled a wheelchair accessible robo taxi. This AV is fully driverless and creates more room by eliminating the steering wheel and pedals. [00:00:23] Julie Gates: It includes a retractable ramp and floor clamps, and it can provide service to wheelchair users from a four inch curb. Pending regulatory approval, this AV could hit streets for pilot testing as soon as 2024. And the American Public Transportation Association's premier event, APTA Transform Conference and EXPO, is taking place this week in Orlando. [00:00:44] Julie Gates: This year's program covers solutions to increase and retain ridership, improve security, and transition to a more sustainable system. This Transit Unplugged News Minute is being brought to you by Modaxo. Passionate about moving the world's people, I'm Julie Gates.[00:01:00]
S6 E49 · Wed, October 04, 2023
In Conversation with Laura Hendricks: How Transdev Brings Expertise to Agencies Across North America
This week Paul talks with Laura Hendricks, CEO of Transdev US https://transdevna.com/ , about her career starting as a driver at FedEx, Trandev's global expertise transitioning to zero emissions, and how Transdev combined with First Transit brings more cohesive transit solutions to transit agencies. As the largest private transportation contractor in the world, Transdev is uniquely positioned to apply its global expertise to a wide range of transit needs and challenges. From zero emissions to schools to paratransit, Transdev covers the gamut of needs for communities. And Laura takes the responsibility to build and support a robust transit infrastructure seriously. Laura refers to her leadership role at Transdev as her legacy project--something her children and grandchildren can look on and see her positive impact on the world. Tune in for this amazing interview with one of the world's great transit leaders. In our Mike's Minute segment, Mike Bismeyer reflects on Laura's words and connects them to the CUTA Fall Conference and Young Leaders Summit. Mike zeros in on the importance of mentors and flexibility in your career. You never know just where transit will take you in your career. Listen to Mike's advice in his segment. Next week on the show, we're bringing you a special in-depth look at AI in public transit. Paul and producer/editor Tris Hussey are joined by guests Eve Machol of Microsoft and Renee Autumn Ray of Hayden AI to talk about how AI is changing all facets of how public transit is delivered today and what the future holds in this space. Question or comment? Email us at info@transitunplugged.com Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo, passionate about moving the world's people. Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) Laura Hendricks, CEO Transdev US (00:03) Learning and earning your way into leadership (00:24) Interview with Laura Hendricks, CEO of Transdev U.S. (32:47) Mike's Minute (34:43) Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged Chapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm .
Bonus · Mon, October 02, 2023
Brightline Connects Miami and Orlando with Highspeed Rail Transit Unplugged News for October 2
Confetti is flying as Brightline's rail service now links Miami and Orlando. I'm Julie Gates, and this is your Transit Unplugged News Minute. Privately owned high speed rail operator Brightline debuted its expanded service linking downtown Miami to the Orlando International Airport. Many see this as the beginning of a new era for passenger rail, creating a blueprint to travel with ease between two nearby cities which are too far apart to drive, but too close to travel by air. The trip between Miami and Orlando is 235 miles, and Brightline's new rail service takes up to three and a half hours depending on stops. Brightline's next rail project is to connect Los Angeles with Las Vegas through all electric trains. They are expected to break ground later this year. This Transit Unplugged News Minute is being brought to you by Modaxo, passionate about moving the world's people. I'm Julie Gates.
S6 E48 · Wed, September 27, 2023
Diana Kotler moves her community in the happiest place on Earth in Anaheim
This week join Paul in conversation with Diana Kotler, CEO of the Anaheim Transit Network https://rideart.org/ . Recorded live at APTA Tech earlier this summer, Paul and Diana connect transit, tech, and people in this engaging interview. Diana runs a very unique transit system. It's funded by businesses, but all Anaheim residents and people who work in Anaheim ride for free. Tourists coming to visit the city pay a small fare to ride all day on a completely cashless system. And the goal of the system has always been to support the community and reduce congestion in the city. And, they've been running electric buses for 20 years, AKA, before they were cool. Listen to the whole conversation and learn how the agency was started and their plans to support the tourist industry. Also on the show Elea Carey and our producer/editor Tris Hussey share their ideas for how agencies can help tourists use transit when they visit. Next week on the show we have a special interview with Laura Hendricks, CEO of Transdev U.S. Paul and Laura talk about the role of contracting in public transit around the world and how Transdev is using its global experience to move us towards a zero emissions future. If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com/ , passionate about moving the world's people. Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) Reducing congestion and preserving culture (00:42) Interview with Diana Kotler, CEO of the Anaheim Transit Network (23:31) Marketing Minute with Elea Carey (26:18) Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged Chapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm .
Bonus · Mon, September 25, 2023
Transit Unplugged News Minute: Miami Dade SHIFT Into Gear Update
I'm Julie Gates and this is your Transit Unplugged News Minute. Transit agencies all over the globe are reimagining their bus networks to meet the changing ridership patterns that were triggered by the pandemic. In November, Florida's Miami Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works will be moving into Phase 2 of its Better Bus Network SHIFTS Into Gear program. With the help of public input, this newly designed bus network aims to make bus service more accessible by increasing frequency of buses, enhancing connections, and improving evening and weekend services. The goals of the program include increasing access to major job centers, government, and health services, while delivering frequent and reliable bus lines that can reduce the dependence on cars. Phase 2 of Miami Dade's Better Bus Network kicks into high gear on November 13th. This Transit Unplugged News Minute is being brought to you by Modaxo, passionate about moving the world's people. I'm Julie Gates.
S6 E47 · Wed, September 20, 2023
Mike Noland on the Path Forward and Improving Service on Commuter Rail
This week Mike Noland, President and GM of the South Shore Line https://mysouthshoreline.com/ , joins Paul to talk about commuter rail in the Midwest. The South Shore Line connects Northwestern Indiana with Chicago. This busy corridor is used by commuters and casual riders heading into the Windy City for work or fun. Mike talks about the South Shore Line, how he's adapting to changing ridership, and his double-tracking project to expand capacity and flexibility on the line. Commuter rail is in a tremendous state of flux right now. Commuters are coming back slowly, but with very different travel habits than they did three years ago. Choice riders, or people who use the train to quickly get between cities, often travel at "off peak" times like midday, evenings, and weekends. Mike talks about what changes and amenities are needed to get more people out of their cars and onto trains. Mike concludes with a discussion about high-speed rail and what's needed to make these a reality in the U.S. We wrap this episode with Mike's Minute with regular contributor Mike Bismeyer reminding us of the value and learning we get from each other as we head into the fall conference season. Next week on the show, we're joined by Diana Kotler, CEO of the Anaheim Transit Network, and how her business-supported transit system gets tourists and the people of Anaheim around the Happiest Place on Earth (West Coast edition). If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo. At Modaxo, we're passionate about moving the world's people, and at Transit Unplugged, we're passionate about telling those stories. https://www.modaxo.com/ Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) Mike Noland, President of the South Shore Line (27:57) Mike's Minute with Mike Bismeyer (29:23) Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged Diana Kotler, Anaheim Transit Network Chapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm .
Bonus · Tue, September 19, 2023
Transit Unplugged Weekly News: Chicago Transit gets $1.9B to expand the Red Line
I'm Julie Gates and this is your Transit Unplugged News Minute. We're seeing a big win for Chicago. We're talking a potential funding in the billions. The Federal Transit Administration announced that funding for the Red Line Expansion Project has moved to the next phase. The project would extend the Red Line 5.6 miles to Chicago's far South Side, providing a more equitable transit system for communities that have historically lacked access. The Chicago Transit Authority is in line for $1.9 billion in critical grant funding needed to build the project. This would be the largest transit infrastructure grant awarded in the agency's history. In early September, the FTA notified CTA that the project has advanced into the next phase of the federal New Starts Program. That means that CTA can begin the engineering phase of the project, which will continue into 2024. Once all approvals have been met, funding is anticipated by the end of 2024 and then construction can begin in 2025. This Transit Unplugged News Minute is being brought to you by Modaxo, passionate about moving the world's people. I'm Julie Gates.
S6 E46 · Wed, September 13, 2023
Mark Joseph Looks Back at Going From Taxis to Transdev and What's Next for Transit
This week Paul continues his look back at his time working at Yellow Transportation with the former CEO of Yellow, Veolia, and Transdev, Mark Joseph (now CEO of Mobitas Advisors-- https://www.mobitasadvisors.com/ ). Mark is a true leader and visionary in the transit industry. Mark recounts how he took a failing taxi business and created a business that would be a leader in public transit contracting. Mark reflects on the future of transit, talking about workforce challenges, the opportunities (and pitfalls) of AI, and how we need to look to technology to move the industry forward. In our Marketing Minute, Elea Carey gives some tips for using generative AI tools like ChatGPT to help create more content for your agency's blog. Coming up next week, we have Mike Noland, President and GM of the South Shore Line, talking with Paul about commuter rail connecting Northern Indiana and Chicago, but more importantly, what's really needed to boost inter-city rail in the U.S. If you have a question or want to be a guest on the show, you can email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Transit Unplugged is brought to by Modaxo -- https://www.modaxo.com/ . At Modaxo we're passionate about moving the world's people, and at Transit Unplugged we're passionate about telling those stories. Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) Mark Joseph Mobitas Advisors (00:23) Mark Joseph, CEO Mobitas Advisors (29:44) Marketing Minute with Elea Carey (31:57) What's coming up next week on Transit Unplugged Chapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm .
Bonus · Tue, September 12, 2023
Transit Unplugged Transit News Minute for September 11th, 2023
Imagine paying your fare just by walking through the faregate? This is being tested in Seoul, South Korea right now and hear more about it on this week's Transit Unplugged News Minute.
S6 E45 · Wed, September 06, 2023
Yellow Transportation Reunion: Stories from the Transportation Trenches
Transdev is the largest public transportation contractor in the world, and it got its start in North America with the acquisition of Yellow Transportation. Paul worked for Yellow Transportation for a number of years and today we bring you a special reunion show with a few of the people Paul worked with there. Paul and his guests, John Duncan, Jeff Barnett, and Peggy Maher, worked together at Yellow during the early days of building the company from a regional taxi, limousine, and charter bus company to a national player in transportation. Listen to how they worked, learned, and grew with each other while creating life-long bonds of friendship and mentorship. But we're just getting started. Next week we have Mark Joseph, who was the CEO of Yellow from its revitalization in the 1990s until its acquisition by Veolia--which would later become Transdev--in 2001. Mark served as CEO at Veolia for 5 years and then CEO of Transdev for another 12 years. Paul brings the whole story together with Mark from Yellow's beginnings to the future of transportation today. Also on the show, Mike Bismeyer reflects on how these long-standing work connections help shape and support who we are. If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Transit Unplugged it brought to you by Modaxo. At Modaxo, we're passionate about moving the world's people, and at Transit Unplugged, we're passionate about telling those stories. Learn more at https://www.modaxo.com/ Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) Yellow Transportation Reunion Show with John Duncan, Jeff Barnett, and Peggy Maher (36:44) Mike's Minute with Mike Bismeyer (38:40) Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged Chapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm .
Bonus · Fri, September 01, 2023
Transit Unplugged Transit News Minute for September 1st, 2023
A quick minute of transit news from Paul Comfort. This week Paul covers the Boston MBTA's new plan to attract new drivers. In the first month they've seen more than a 350% increase in applications. Make sure you subscribe to Transit Unplugged in your podcast app to listen to the full podcast episodes released every Wednesday.
S6 E44 · Wed, August 30, 2023
Bus Rapid Transit and Brazil's Contribution to Global Transit with Tula Vandaramatos
When Paul talked with Seleta Reynolds of LA Metro, one of the places she planned to visit ahead of the Olympics in LA was Brazil. She wanted to see first-hand how Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) works and helped move people in Rio for the Olympics. This week we have the second of our Brazil-focused episodes with Tula Vandaramatos, President of the Passenger Transport Association, where Tula talks more about Brazil's unique public transport system and how BRT is helping move people faster through some of the most congested cities in the world. Also on the show, Elea Carey gives us some tips on how to get more out of your email newsletter. Coming up next week we have a special two-part reunion show with Paul and former colleagues of Yellow Transportation--which would later become Transdev--talking about going from taxis and limos to now the world's largest contract bus operator. If you have a question or comment, feel free to email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo ( https://www.modaxo.com/ ). At Modaxo we're passionate about moving the world's people. And at Transit Unplugged, we're passionate about telling those stories. Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) Tula Vandaramatos (00:04) Public transportation is the only sustainable solution for cities (00:26) Interview with Tula Vandaramatos, President ATP Group (19:40) Marketing Minute with Elea Carey (21:41) Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged Chapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm .
S6 E43 · Wed, August 23, 2023
Dimas Barrreira--Going all electric isn't the only path to reducing emissions
This week on the show Paul chats with repeat guest Dimas Barreira about Brazil's unique way of organizing public transportation, innovations in his own city of Fortaleza, and his approach to reducing carbon emissions in his region. We kick off the episode though with Dimas retelling the story of his life-changing motorcycle accident where he was dead for 40 minutes and spent 4 days in a coma! This episode was recorded during Paul's recent trip to Brazil where he met with industry leaders, attended a national transportation conference, and filmed segments for an upcoming episode of Transit Unplugged TV. Watch for all of this on our Transit Unplugged TV channel on YouTube. Also on this week's show, Mike Bismeyer talks about attending TransLink's celebration of 75 years of electric trolley buses in Vancouver. Vancouver has the second largest fleet of trolley buses in North America and the only trolley buses in Canada. Check out TransLink's website for pictures and the history behind these iconic buses . Next week we stay in Brazil and learn about Bus Rapid Transit, developed in Brazil as a "train on wheels" where digging subways isn't practical or feasible. Paul welcomes another amazing transit leader from the south of Brazil--Tula Vandaramatos--for this interview. Paul and Tula also continue the discussion of Brazil's transport system and new funding coming from all levels of government. If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo. At Modaxo we're passionate about moving the world's people. And at Transit Unplugged we're passionate about telling those stories. Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) Dimas Barreira pragmatic solutions to carbon emissions (00:46) Interivew with Dimas Barreira, President of Sindionibus (30:40) Mike's Minute with Mike Bismeyer (32:16) Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged Chapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm .
S6 E42 · Wed, August 16, 2023
Coree Cuff Lonergan on Creating 200 Miles of New Transit Service in Broward County
This week we're staying in sunny Florida and moving down to Broward County to hear what Broward County Transit (BCT) CEO Coree Cuff Lonergan has in store for the people of her county. As the new CEO she's leading the charge on an amazing 15-year plan to add 200 miles of new transit service to the county's transit infrastructure. Over the next decade and a half Broward County will get: High-frequency bus service Commuter rail Light rail Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Coree is starting with high-frequency bus service and then adding new services over time. On top of this, BCT will be moving to an all-electric bus and non-revenue fleet by 2035. A lot going on for an agency that, as Coree puts it, is "a sleeping giant in the transit industry." Also on the show, Elea Carey starts a three-part series on communication basics, starting with how to make sure your website meets the needs of riders. Next week we have the first of two episodes coming from Paul's recent trip to Brazil. We start off with repeat guest Dimas Barreira, President of Sindionibus in Fortaleza, talking about how public transport in Brazil is organized and his unconventional plans for reducing carbon emissions in his region. Have we heard from you? We're wrapping up our listener survey this week. We've gotten a lot of great feedback. Make sure you've had your say today! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PN3WLZP If you have a question or comment, you can reach us at info@transitunplugged.com . Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) Transit Unplugged with guest Coree Cuff Lonergan (00:23) Interview with Coree Cuff Lonergan, CEO Broward County Transit (23:33) Marketing Minute with Elea Carey (25:28) Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged Chapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm .
S6 E41 · Wed, August 09, 2023
Transit Payment Innovations in Central Florida and Driving Customer Loyalty in Transit
This week Paul has two great interviews for you: John Slot, Chief Innovation Officer of LYNX in Central Florida, and Rudy Vidal, Managing Director of Vidal Consulting Group . Both interviews center on building strong, emotional connections with riders, so they choose transit over other options. John Slot leads a team responsible for testing and piloting innovations in and around the Orlando area. From sustainable buses to new payment options to bring fare equity to everyone, John's team makes sure residents, tourists, and soon APTA EXPO attendees can get around the city with ease. John talks about their energy transition from diesel to CNG to electrics over the next several years, plus how payment technology will make his system easier to navigate--and cheaper--for everyone. In our leadership segment, Rudy Vidal gets to the heart of building loyal transit riders--stop selling transportation. Public transit is a commodified quasi-monopoly, so just doing the basics--buses that are on time--isn't enough to create loyalty. Loyalty comes from creating a positive emotional response in riders. Do people feel welcome and safe? Are they relaxed getting to work? Do they feel they are helping the environment? There are no easy answers to creating loyalty, but Rudy gives you questions to think about at your own agency. Also in this episode, Mike Bismeyer reminds us of all the opportunities in transit and the hard work marketing and communications teams do to connect with people. Next week on the show, we stay in Florida and hear from Coree Cuff Longeran, CEO of Broward County Transit and hear about her 15-year plan to create a world-class transit system for her community. Please take a moment to rate and review Transit Unplugged on Apple Podcasts--or wherever you listen. Ratings and reviews help others find Transit Unplugged and become part of our transit evangelist community. If you have a question or comment, you can email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) Transit Payment Innovations in Central Florida and Driving Customer Loyalty in Transit (00:33) Interview with John Slot, Chief Innovation Officer, LYNX (14:04) Mike's Minute (15:46) Interview with Rudy Vidal on creating an emotional connection with customers (36:06) Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged Chapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm.
S6 E40 · Wed, August 02, 2023
Innovation, Accessibility, and Attracting New Riders--UITP CEO Roundtable Part 2
This week we bring you our final segment from the UTIP Global Summit held earlier this summer in Barcelona. In this dynamic CEO Roundtable recorded live at the summit, we hear from Dorval Carter, President of the Chicago Transit Authority , Paul Skoutelas, President and CEO of APTA , Carla Purcell, CEO of Yarra Trams , and Jeremy Yap, Deputy Chief Executive of LTA Singapore . This panel continues the discussions started in the first CEO Roundtable with a focus on innovation across the industry, how places like Singapore are focusing on making public transport accessible for everyone, and how agencies will attract new, non-work trip riders to their systems. Together these two CEO Roundtables give a complete view of the challenges--and opportunities--facing transit today around the world. Sustainability, funding, new ridership patterns, and accessibility, all sewn together with a renewed spirit of innovation. Around the world, as highlighted at the UITP Global Summit, agencies are buoyed with this new sense of purpose. If you haven't listened to Part One, check it out and give it a listen . Next week on the show, we have William (John) Slot, Chief Innovation Officer at LYNX in Florida, and in our leadership segment, we have Rudy Vidal of Vidal Consulting Group . Please take a moment while you're listening to Transit Unplugged to leave a rating and review of the show. This helps other people find the show can become part of the Transit Unplugged community. If you have a question or comment, you can email us at info@transitunplugged.com .
S6 E39 · Wed, July 26, 2023
Creating new funding models, the challenge of the EV transition, and stop negative self-talk
We have a jam-packed episode for you this week. We lead off with David S. Kim, formerly the Secretary of Transportation for the State of California, now Senior Vice President & Principal, National Transportation Policy and Multimodal Strategy at WSP . Paul and David talk about two of the most pressing issues facing public transit today: finding alternatives to gas taxes to fund transportation and the transition to EVs. For decades federal and state/provincial taxes on gas and diesel have funded roads, bridges, and public transit. It's a good system for paying for critical infrastructure, but as we switch to EVs--therefore buying less and less fuel--that money will dry up. David and Paul talk about some of the pilots and models being tested to move to a "pay-as-you-drive" model for funding. Paul and David then pivot to talking about the challenges facing the transition to EVs and the costs associated with the transition. Sure agencies have to buy new buses, but they also have to upgrade or build new facilities to support EVs and have to train a whole new workforce to drive and manage these high tech vehicles. We also have the second leadership segment from Keith Scott and Rebecca Klein Scott of TALLsmall Productions . This week Keith and Rebecca tell us how to defeat negative self-talk. It's more than just a nagging little voice that chides us, negative self-talk can become a self-fulfilling prophecy and damage your work, your career, and your mental health. Keith and Rebecca give you real, practical tools to silence that negative voice and turn it into your inner cheerleader. Elea Carey joins us this week to talk about how to communicate big projects--like the transition to EVs--by focusing on where the money has really come from and the benefits to the community. Coming up next week we have the second CEO Roundtable recorded at the UITP Global Summit featuring Carla Purcell CEO of Yarra Trams , Jeremy Yap Deputy Chief Executive of LTA in Singapore, Paul Skoutelas, President of APTA , and Dorval Carter, President of CTA in Chicago . This roundtable has a focus on public transport in Asia-Pacific and North America. While every region and agency is different--if you've seen one transit agency, you've seen one transit agency--many of the challenges in changing ridership patterns, workforce development, transition to zero emissions, and accessibility are universal. Our listener survey is still open! This is your chance to let us know how we're doing and what you'd like
S6 E38 · Wed, July 19, 2023
UITP CEO Roundtable Part 1: European Transit Leaders on Today's Transit Trends
This week we bring you the first of two special CEO Roundtables recorded live at the UITP Global Summit in Barcelona. This first panel features: Thierry Mallet,CEO of Transdev Anjes Tjarks, Minister of Transport in Hamburg Laura Shoaf, CEO of the West Midlands Combined Authority Ruben Leonor, Strategy & Quality Director at Renfe Paul leads this all-star lineup of transit leaders through discussions of today's changing ridership, funding and fares, the transition to zero emissions, and what the future of transit holds. You're only going to find guests like these on Transit Unplugged! The second CEO Roundtable featuring Carla Purcell, CEO of Yarra Trams, Jeremy Yap Deputy Chief Executive of LTA in Singapore, Paul Skoutelas, President of APTA, and Dorval Carter, President of CTA in Chicago, airs in two weeks on August 2nd. But next week, we have another great transit leader: David S. Kim, formerly the Secretary of Transportation for the State of California, now Senior Vice President & Principal, National Transportation Policy and Multimodal Strategy at WSP , in conversation with Paul. We also bring you the second leadership segment from Keith Scott and Rebecca Klein Scott of TALLsmall Productions . This week Keith and Rebecca tell us how to defeat negative self-talk. While you're here, we have a favor to ask... Please take a couple minutes to take our listener survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PN3WLZP . We'd like to know you like, and don't, about Transit Unplugged and how we can make it even better for future episodes. If you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo . At Modaxo, we're passionate about moving the world's people, and at Transit Unplugged, we're passionate about telling those stories. Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) CEO Roundtable Part 1 from UITP Global Summit 2023 (09:19) Theirry Mallet on challenges (11:58) Ruben Leonor Spain (13:46) Anjes Tjarks on cities (15:28) Laura Shoaf on passenger comfort (17:16) Anjes Tjarks on comfort continued (18:58) Theirry Mallet on convenience (23:08) Anjes Tjarks on fares (25:58) Ruben Leonor on rail (27:33) Laura Shoaf on funding (28:54) Theirry Mallet on funding (32:43) Laura Shoaf on AI (34:20) Ruben L
S6 E37 · Wed, July 12, 2023
A Global Perspective on Transit from Dr. Kaan Yildizgöz and Tips to Speak with Confidence
Every week we bring you the top transit thought leaders from around the world, and this week is no exception. Recorded while at the UITP Global Summit in Barcelona, Paul sits in conversation with Dr. Kaan Yildizgöz, Senior Director of Membership and Global Operations at UITP . Kaan and Paul dive into one of the most important topics facing public transport today--helping people rely less on personal cars for regular travel. In much of the world, taxis are integrated into the transit system so people can use a taxi to get to and from transit hubs in their cities. Cities like Dubai are at the forefront of broadly integrated transport models where taxis are even managed by the public transit authority. In their conversation, Paul and Kaan also talk about the essential role UITP plays in delivering transit around the world as well as the biggest trends facing transit today. From training to best practices, studies to advocacy, UITP is at the center of transit. In the second half of the show our leadership segment is back. In the first part of a two-part conversation, Paul learns from Keith Scott and Rebecca Klein Scott of TALLsmall Productions , how the words we choose, our tone, and our body language convey more than we realize to people. Keith and Rebecca give some great tips and lessons on how to come across more professionally and confidently by getting rid of weak language and filler words. Keith and Rebecca continue their conversation with Paul focusing on self talk in our July 26th episode. Mike Bismeyer reflects on how important transit is to society and encourages all of us to ride transit this summer, if nothing else to say thank you. Next week on the show we have the first of two special CEO Roundtables recorded live at UITP in Barcelona. This first special episode features Thierry Mallet, CEO of Transdev , Anjes Tjarks, Minister of Transport in Hamburg, Laura Shoaf, CEO West Midlands Combined Authority in the UK, and Ruben Leonor, Strategy & Quality Director at Renfe in Spain. You won't want to miss this episode so make sure you follow/subscribe Transit Unplugged wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) Transit Unplugged News and Views (00:03) Kaan Yildizgoz UITP plus Keith Scott and Rebecca Klein Scott TALLsmall Pro
S6 E36 · Wed, July 05, 2023
Cybersecurity, Safety Data, and Smart Cities -- Canadian Transit Tech Innovation Part 2
We wrap up our special look at Canadian transit tech innovation with three great innovators in the transit tech landscape. We lead off with Paul in conversation with Jean-Pierre Baracat, VP and Partner at Cysca Technologies , talking about the need for enhanced operational cybersecurity for the vehicles and systems that power transit. Then Paul talks with Tim Bigwood, GM of Trapeze Workforce Management , about the need for agencies to have a single source of truth for all their safety-related data. Finally, we have Brad Cameron, CEO of BusPas , talking about using bus stops as data anchor points for smart cities. We end the show with a special roundtable led by Transit Unplugged producer Tris Hussey in conversation with contributors Mike Bismeyer and Elea Carey reflecting on the past two episodes and how to communicate tech innovations to your customers. Next week on the show, we have Kaan Yildizgöz, Head of Global Membership and Operations at UITP , talking with Paul about the new models for mobility that use taxis as an integral part of the transport system. Then our leadership segments return with a two-part series from continues Keith Scott and Rebecca Klein Scott of TALLsmall Productions . In this first part, Keith and Rebecca dive into how language--and weak language--can hurt your career and success. Don't forget to subscribe/follow Transit Unplugged wherever you listen to podcasts and leave us a review if you enjoy the show. You can always reach us at info@transitunplugged.com ; we'd love to hear from you. Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) Canadian Transit Tech Innovation Part 2: Safety (00:03) Introduction by Paul Comfort (01:00) Interview with Margaret Cullen, Jean-Pierre Baracat, and Tim Bigwood (01:20) Introduction from Margaret Cullen (05:22) Jean-Pierre Baracat on emerging cybersecurity threats (11:41) Tim Bigwood on the need for integrating safety data systems (17:13) Brad Cameron BusPas Interview (24:49) Series roundup with Tris Hussey, Mike Bismeyer, and Elea Carey (40:03) Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged Chapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm .
S6 E35 · Wed, June 28, 2023
Focus on Canadian Transport Tech Innovation Part 1 EVs and New Transit Models
This week we kick off the first of two episodes focused on Canadian transportation tech and innovation. In this episode, Margaret Cullen, Trade Commissioner for the Canadian Consulate in Florida, joins Paul with Niklas Kviselius, Sr. Manager Innovation Management and New Mobility at TransLink , and Colin Lavery, Chief Growth Officer at Asset Market . On the show, the guests about the planning needed for the tsunami of EVs coming over the next several years and how agencies need to be more proactive in pushing innovation. Colin's focus is on using AI to figure out where EV chargers should be placed around a city and community--and placed with equity and inclusion as key facets of the plan. Niklas, as the head of TransLink's innovation program, is focused on testing new ideas for mobility and making it easier for companies with great ideas to work with TransLink. TransLink's open call for innovation proposals just opened ; take a look and your company could be part of the next innovations at TransLink. Last year's winner is to see if the excess energy from braking can be used to power and charge electric vehicles. Read more about that on TransLink's Buzzer Blog Coming up next week we continue our focus on Canadian Tech with Margaret Cullen returning along with Tim Bigwood, General Manager of Trapeze Workforce Management , Jean-Pierre Baracat, Partner and VP at Cysca Technologies , and Brad Cameron, President and CEO of BusPas . Part 2 moves the focus onto safety and how to improve transit systems by tapping into data from bus stops. We'll wrap up Part 2 with a special roundtable discussion with our producer Tris Hussey and regular contributors Mike Bismeyer and Elea Carey talking about tech, innovation, and communicating pilots to your audience. If you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on the show, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) Canadian Technology Focus Part 1 (00:27) Interview with Margaret Cullen, Niklas Kviseilus, and Colin Lavery (00:49) Margaret Cullen, Trade Commissioner, Canadian Consulate (01:27) Interview Contin
Bonus · Fri, June 23, 2023
Sneak Peek - Canadian Technology Focus on AI in Transit
Listen to this sneak peek at part one of our two-part series on Canadian Tech Innovations in Transit. This segment features Paul Comfort with Niklas Kviselius of TransLink and Colin Lavery of Asset Market talking about the role of AI in transit.
S6 E34 · Wed, June 21, 2023
Renée Amilcar is charting the course for the future of transport around the world
After spending the bulk of her 20 year career in public transport in Montreal at STM , Renée Amilcar has been at the helm of OC Transpo in Ottawa for almost two years and leading the effort to move OC Transpo to zero emissions by 2036. But that's only the tip of the iceberg for this dynamic transit leader. Join Paul in conversation with Renée in an interview recorded at the UITP Global Summit in Barcelona the day before she took office as the President of UITP. OC Transpo serves the City of Ottawa, which isn't just your regular city, it's the capital city of Canada. Known for it's history, beauty, and canals, it also has famously harsh winters. OC Transpo has the difficult enough job of keeping a city moving, but also helps keep the wheels of government going by making sure government workers get to their jobs as well. On the road to zero emissions, Renée talks with Paul about the electric bus trials in the city that have been very successful thus far. She's also responsible for the multi-billion dollar light rail expansion to create more transit options for people in the city of Ottawa. Renée is an example of the new generation of leaders who are transforming and re-energizing public transit. As the new President of UITP, Renée wants to build bridges across agencies, countries, and continents to help all transit systems meet the challenges we all face in the 21st century. Also on the show Mike Bismeyer talks about his recent visit to a school to talk with kids about careers in transit as part of CUTA's Mentorship Program . If you'd like to have Mike visit your school, reach out to him on LinkedIn . Coming up we have a special two-part series on Canadian technology innovation with experts on planning, cybersecurity, safety management, and more. Technology is crucial to transit, get an inside look into some of the newest innovation and how agencies like TransLink are piloting them. If you have a question or would like to be a guest on the show, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Transit Unplugged is presented by Modaxo. At Modaxo we're passionate about moving the world's people, and Transit Unplugged is passionate about telling those stories. Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) Renée Amilcar, President UITP (00:17) Interview with Renée Amilcar, GM of OC Transpo, Ottawa, ON (25:29) Mike's Minute with Mike Bismeyer (26:14) Mike in the classroom (26:56) Mike in class talking (27:42) Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged Chapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm.
S6 E33 · Wed, June 14, 2023
New, Innovative Microtransit Models and How to Make Sure You Always Bring Your Passions to Work
We have two very complementary episodes this week on Transit Unplugged. We start off with Alex Esposito, Co-founder and CEO of Circuit , who took a passion for solving traffic problems and turned it into a business. In our leadership segment Paul talks with Marinma Dorado , Founder and Passion Catalyst of Mindset Results , about connecting the things you're passionate about with your work. On demand transit is an innovation born out of a simple premise: just because it isn't cost-effective to run a 40 foot bus somewhere, doesn't mean those people don't need transit. On demand transit can fill the first mile-last mile gaps and provide service where buses--even small ones--don't make practical sense. Circuit's approach to on demand transit is focusing on short trips. Trips just long enough someone might drive their car, but too short for a bus. Partnering with cities and businesses Circuit provides free or low cost on demand, shared transit to get cars off the road, people where they need to go, and fill buses with people. Interestingly, and a direct connection to our second guest, this passion project was born from Alex and his friend looking for a better parking solution around their hometown on Long Island. In our leadership segment, Marinma Dorado talks about one of the most critical parts of managing your life and career--making sure you focus on doing what you love. A lot of us can do things, and do them well, but they also tend to pull us away from the things we love. And according to Marinma and her own experience, focusing on the things you're passionate about, the things you love to do, makes you more successful in the long run. Also on the show, Elea Carey talks about what transit agencies should think about when picking which community events to attend. Coming up next week we have a very special interview with Renée Amilcar, GM of OC Transpo in Ottawa, ON and the new president of UITP. Renée is the first woman, and first North American, to hold the office. Paul recorded the interview with her while at the UTIP Global Summit the day before she took office. Her passion for transit and global cooperation cross-agencies and cross continents should make her two-year term very exciting! Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) Transit Unplugged News and Views with Alex Esposito and Marinma Dorado (00:23) Interview with Alex Esposito. Co-founder and CEO of Circuit (16:56) Marketing Minute with Elea Carey (19:07) Interview with Marinma Dorado (33:37) Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged Chapters, images & show notes powered by v
S6 E32 · Wed, June 07, 2023
Connecting With Employees is the Secret to Managing a Successful Transit Agency
This week we continue our series focusing on LA Metro with Paul talking with LA Metro COO Conan Cheung. Conan was originally a transit planner and this focus on details and connecting with people gives him a unique approach to managing his agency. In his discussion with Paul, Conan gets into three issues facing all agencies right now: the transition to zero emissions, improving safety on the system and building a strong workforce. Like many previous guests and agencies, Conan talks about LA Metro's pragmatic approach to zero emissions. You can't go all in on one type of solution; diversity is essential to a well-rounded zero emissions fleet. LA Metro is no stranger to the challenges of crime, homelessness, and drug use on its system. Knowing you can't police your way out of the problem, LA Metro's approach has focused on ways to discourage unwanted behaviors like lightening and controlling access to parts of stations. Finally, Paul and Conan get into managing the over 10,000 people who are part of the operations workforce. From his experience working with communities as a transit planner, Conan visits all of his 10 divisions to learn exactly what his people need and want. To ensure he has enough staff, LA Metro has started one day hiring fairs where someone can apply for a job in the morning and leave with a preliminary offer in the afternoon. These hiring blitzes have been so successful at getting new employees, they have to slow down so they can catch up with people finishing their training. Also on the show, Mike Bismeyer talks about a recent leadership conference where leaders shared the things they do outside of work to help the community. From volunteering at animal shelters to helping veterans, mentoring young to people to just being part of the community, these leaders showed that not only is kindness cool, sharing these acts of kindness helps build a stronger team. Next week on the show, we have Alex Esposito, Co-founder and CEO of Circuit, talking about targeted microtransit to get people out of cars and onto public transport and Marinma Dorado on matching what you love to do with the work you choose to do. If you have a question, comment, or want to be a guest on the show, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Transit Unplugged is presented by Modaxo. Modaxo is passionate about moving the world's people, and we're passionate about telling the stories of the people who make it happen. Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) Conan Cheung COO LA Metro https://vzyfm.co/42wGQ81 (00:39) Interview with Conan Cheung, COO of LA Metro https://vzyfm.co/3qsUsUE (30:40) Mike's Minute with Mike Bismeyer h
S6 E31 · Wed, May 31, 2023
How LA Metro is Already Getting Ready for the 2028 Summer Olympics with Seleta Reynolds
Plus how to match your strengths to your job with Josh Cohen Welcome to the first of two special episodes featuring leaders from the second largest transit system in the U.S.-- LA Metro ! In this first interview, Paul chats with Seleta Reynolds, Chief Innovation Officer and interim Chief People Officer at LA Metro, about planning for the future of LA Metro including the upcoming 2026 World Cup and 2028 Summer Olympics. Seleta reflects on how to build a lasting legacy for Los Angeles from transit to how Angelenos think about community and their streets. Seleta also talks about her own career journey from intern to GM at LADOT and now her dual role at LA Metro. Seleta is passionate about transit but also passionate about finding new ways to make our streets livable and useful. In our leadership segment, Paul dives into career journeys with Josh Cohen, CEO of Mobility Leadership Advisors , about building a career that's based on your strengths and values, not other peoples'--or your own--expectations of what the "right" career path is supposed to be. You can sign up for Josh's weekly newsletter and get his insights delivered straight to your inbox. In Josh's segment, you can hear many of the themes Seleta Reynolds talked about in her career journey--matching your career with your passions and your values. Also on the show, Elea Carey connects the dots between Josh's and Seleta's interviews with some advice for marketers in how to be successful--and healthy--in their careers. Next week, we continue with our LA Metro series with Conan Cheung, COO of LA Metro, talking about safety and connecting with the over 10 thousand LA Metro employees who keep that city moving. If you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on the show, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Transit Unplugged is powered by Modaxo. Modaxo is passionate about moving the world's people, and Transit Unplugged is here to tell their stories. Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) Seleta Reynolds - Josh Cohen (00:29) Interview with Seleta Reynolds (19:52) Messaging Minute with Elea Carey (21:28) Josh Cohen Leadership Segment (32:32) Coming up next week Chapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm .
S6 E30 · Wed, May 24, 2023
Creating tourist-friendly transportation in Banff, AB
This week we're continuing our tour of Western Canada with Martin Bean, CEO of Roam Transit in Banff, AB. Roam Transit, like many transit agencies in tourist destinations, has a dual role. One is to get the residents of the Bow Valley from Canmore to Banff (who all ride for free by the way) where they need to go, the other is helping the over four million visitors who come to Banff National Park and Lake Louise each year explore the region (and leave their cars behind). Beyond transit passes for hotel guests or people arriving by tour bus, Roam Transit is pretty special in a lot of other ways--and all focused on preserving the natural beauty around them. Roam Transit wraps their buses with pictures of the local wildlife taken by local nature photographers. From deer to elk to bears to martins (a kind of weasel) Roam Transit gives you a taste of what animals are roaming around--some of which you could even run into while in downtown Banff. Because they are in the middle of one of the most beautiful places in the world, environmental stewardship is a big part of how they do things. Their operations facility doesn't have a furnace, but runs off waste wood burned as part of a community heating system. They have over 680 solar panels on the roof that generate enough power to charge up three battery electric buses plus the whole building . There's getting power from a sustainable grid and then there's getting your power from your own solar power grid. Tune in to hear all about these topics plus how Roam Transit works with Parks Canada, trains new drivers, and helps the community leave cars behind to help the environment and congestion. Also on the show: Mike's Minute with Mike Bismeyer , and his special connection to Roam Transit Transit Unplugged TV videographer and director Jaime Cuadra talks about filming the special episode coming up in June on the Rocky Mountaineer excursion train. Check out the Transit Unplugged TV episode from Vancouver , the first stop on Paul's look at transportation in Western Canada. Next week we have Seleta Reynolds, Chief Innovation Officer and Interim Chief People Officer at LA Metro , talking about getting ready for the 2028 Summer Olympics. And Josh Cohen of Mobility Leadership Advisors on finding the right fit in your career growth. If you have a comment or want to be a guest on the show, email us at info@transitunplugged.com Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) Martin Bean Roam Transit Bow Valley Regional Transit Services (18:30
S6 E29 · Wed, May 17, 2023
Focusing on Better Customer Experience and Micro Innovation in Transit
This week, we have two intersecting interviews covering customer experience and innovation in transit. We start off with Paul talking with Aaron Weinstein of Transit CX about creating customer experience (CX) programs within transit agencies. We continue with Brandon Bartneck, GM of Edison Manufacturing and Engineering and the host of the Future of Mobility podcast, talking about transit innovation and manufacturing. Aaron talks about building a customer experience mindset within transit agencies. As Paul notes in the interview, according to APTA, customer experience-customer service is the number one KPI agencies are tracking. It makes sense; you can’t grow ridership and attract new riders if the experience of using transit isn’t enjoyable. Aaron outlines the steps for creating a customer experience program and how journey mapping helps you figure out where your rough spots are--and then fix them. We move from CX to innovation and manufacturing with Brandon. Edison Manufacturing helps companies produce things at small scale to test and trial. Or things that companies will only need a few of. Why is this important to innovation? Because right now, as we test and trial new zero and low emissions vehicles or new autonomous vehicles, we need to prove the model before large scale manufacturing is worth the risk. How does this connect with CX? As Brandon talks about with Paul, the coolest scooters, e-bikes, autonomous vehicles, or microtransit options won’t make a difference to mobility or access to transit if the entire experience is connected and seamless throughout the entire journey. Shiny, new innovations won’t get the results people are looking for unless integrated payment solutions, and convenient pickup/drop off options are part of the picture too. We also hear from Elea Carey with her Messaging Minute, talking about playing the long-game in transit marketing messaging. Next week on Transit Unplugged we hear from Martin Bean, CEO of Roam Transit in Banff, Alberta. Martin talks about how he’s providing transit solutions not just for his community, but the millions of tourists who come to Banff every year. Paul’s chat with Martin was all part of his tour of Western Canada in April. Want to get a peek? Check out the Transit Unplugged TV episode from Vancouver . Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) Transit Customer Experience with Aaron Weinstein and Innovation with Brandon Bartneck (01:50) Aaron Weinstein on improving customer experience in transit (15:09) Messaging Minute with Elea Carey (17:21) Interview with Brandon Bartneck host of Future of
S6 E28 · Wed, May 10, 2023
Announcing Paul's Newest Book Plus Meeting the Needs of a Growing City in Everett, WA
Tom Hingson knows transit inside and out. Learn how the City of Everett, WA tackling battery-electric range issues with inductive charging. And announcing Paul's newest book--Comfort Food. We return to Snohomish County this week to the City of Everett (and county seat) to learn about this network within a network from Everett Transit Director Tom Hingson. With a transit career spanning 40 years, Tom has seen it all, from behind the wheel to behind the scenes as a transit leader. Everett is one of the larger cities between the Canadian border and Seattle and is part of Snohomish County--learn more about that transit system from Ric Ilgenfritz --which means Tom needs to help his community not only get around the city but also connect with Community Transit, Sound Transit, and King County Transit. Like all transit systems, Tom is transitioning to a zero-emissions fleet. Everett Transit is using grid-powered battery electric buses for the backbone of his green fleet. Unlike larger systems (like Community Transit surrounding his service area), he doesn't have long runs to manage. He doesn't have to work about range as much as being able to charge buses throughout the day. Tom is opting for inductive charging below the buses at key transit hubs so buses can run all day and just switch out drivers. This is a big transition for Everett Transit which has traditionally operated with drivers assigned to a bus rather than a route . So the driver returns to the depot at the end of their shift, and another bus goes out. As Everett Transit moves to zero emissions buses, this will move to the more typical model of drivers switching buses mid-route. But the biggest thing on Tom's mind is growth. Pressed for space, Tom and his team are looking at how or if they could merge with Community Transit to fund growth and grow the network overall. There are a lot of moving pieces, and Tom explains all of them in his conversation with Paul. Also on the show... Paul's newest book Comfort Food is out and available on Amazon ! Paul talks about how this cookbook came to be--thanks to contributor Mike Bismeyer--and just a few of the recipes from all-star public transportation celebrities from around the world. Paul will be signing his books at conferences all over North America. We'll let you know where he'll be on the show. We hear from Mike Bismeyer talking about Tom's dedication to doing more than just moving people, but how he works within the larger community and government to make it all happen. Next week we have two great guests. Aaron Weinstein from Transit CX talks about improving your customer experience (CX) by building a customer experience mindset in your agency. Then Brandon Bartneck talks about how small-scale
S6 E27 · Wed, May 03, 2023
Going Green with Hydrogen and Two Books to Level Up Your Leadership
We continue our discussion on the transition to zero emissions with Doran Barnes, CEO of Foothill Transit, and Karl Gnadt, Managing Director of the Champaign Urbana Mass Transit District, talking with Paul about their hydrogen fuel cell-powered bus fleets. Doran currently has the largest fleet of hydrogen fuel cell electric buses in North America with 20 and growing to over thirty in the future. Karl manages one of a few agencies that generates its own hydrogen for its fleet of buses. Together they talk about the challenges and benefits, of electric buses powered by fuel cells. As both say, battery electric or hydrogen fuel cell have strengths and weaknesses--and there will be a place for both solutions in the future. What's essential is for agencies to talk, plan, coordinate, and share with each other. There isn't going to be a single way or perfect solution that works for everyone, but by working together, we'll reach our zero emissions goals. In the leadership segment, MV Transportation CIO Jim Haring tells us about two leadership books that have helped him as he's grown as a leader. Radical Candor and the Oz Principle give leaders tools to help care deeply but challenge directly and re-frame what it means to be accountable. In Radical Candor, Jim cites the way to help grow a team isn't just leading with empathy but using that empathy to help people grow and challenging them when they need it. If people aren't challenged and feel safe to dig deeper--even if it means failing--they won't grow. And a team with people who aren't growing will inevitably stagnate. Which ties right into the Oz Principle. In the book a central tenet is re-framing accountability as what will you do to step up and do what's needed to get the results you want. Is it enough to try, but when circumstances beyond our control get in the way, give up, or do you push that little bit more to get there. Everyone has moments when they look at a situation and say "this just isn't going to work because...", but then if you're accountable, you dust off and think, "fine, well what can I do to get where I need to go..." Together these books are a powerful way to rethink and reframe how we approach work and leadership. Also on the show, Elea Carey talks about how to help your message get more attention in her Messaging Minute. Next week, we come back out to the Pacific Northwest with Tom Hingson Director of Everett Transit and how he's planning for the future of transit in his city. If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com. Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) Hydrogen Fuel Cell Fleets and Leadership Lessons (01:18) Feature interview with Doran Barnes and Karl Gnadt on hydrogen fuel cell technology in public transit (23:02) Messaging Minute with Elea Carey (24:35) Business Book Review with Jim Haring CIO of MV Transportation (37:37) Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged (38:47) S
S6 E26 · Wed, April 26, 2023
Ric Ilgenfritz Leads Community Transit with Ambitious BRT Plans and It's our 250th Episode!
Welcome to the 250th episode of Transit Unplugged! What a tremendous milestone and we're only just getting started! We have big plans for the show--the podcast and TV--and we know you'll like what we have up our sleeves. This week Paul is in conversation with Community Transit CEO, Ric Ilgenfritz from Snohomish County, WA. Listen as Ric and Paul talk about not only serving the diverse needs of Snohomish County but also the Bus Rapid Transit plans he has put into motion to get people where they want to go quickly and conveniently. Ric uses stable funding from sales taxes to not only increase operational service levels in the community but also fund capital improvements to better serve the community in the future. Snohomish County, north of Seattle, has a service area of 1300 square miles, including urban, suburban, and rural areas and Ric serves commuters heading south, plus a large and diverse community of 650,000 people. He accomplishes this with commuter coach buses, BRT, regular bus service, and paratransit running throughout the county. Because his community is so closely tied to the universities and businesses to the south, Ric works closely with his colleagues at Sound Transit, King County Metro, and Everitt Transit to make sure all the systems are coordinated together, including the expansion of the Sound Transit Light Rail project into Snohomish County. As light rail reaches his service area, Ric will be able to curtail service to Seattle and redeploy those assets to improve frequency and service levels in the rest of the county. Listen to the whole story and how his experience working in Washington D.C. helps him serve his community now. All this plus Mike's Minute with Mike Bismeyer. Next week on Transit Unplugged, we continue our discussion of the transition to zero emissions transit with Doran Barnes, CEO of Foothill Transit, and Karl Gnadt, Managing Director of the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District, with more on hydrogen fuel cells. We also get book recommendations from Jim Haring, CIO of MV Transportation in our leadership segment. If you have a question or want to be a guest on the show, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) Ric Ilgenfrtiz CEO Community Transit (00:02) Interview with Ric Ilgenfritz - CEO of Community Transit Learn more about Community Transit on their website https://vzyfm.co/3mK9FPD (27:55) Mike's Minute with Mike Bismeyer https://vzyfm.co/3tAj8Zy (29:29) Coming up next week Doran Barnes, Karl Gnadt, and Jim Haring (30:27) Subscribe to Transit Unplugged TV on YouTube https://vzyfm.co/3SB9Bx3 Chapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm.
S6 E25 · Wed, April 19, 2023
CEO Roundtable Recorded Live at ThinkTransit: Behind the Scenes with Transit Leaders
Recorded live at ThinkTransit in Nashville, this CEO Roundtable brings together four of North America's brightest transit leaders for an in-depth discussion about their lives, careers, and the future of transit in North America. Join Paul in conversation with: Doran Barnes, CEO of Foothill Transit Monica Backmon, CEO of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority Erinn Pinkerton, CEO of BC Transit Billy Terry, Executive Director of the National Transit Institute In the episode, you'll hear Doran and Erinn talk about their pragmatic approaches to zero emissions and reducing carbon emissions with real solutions any agency can explore. Including diesel options you might not have considered before. There are a lot of diesel buses out there, and that isn't going to change anytime soon, so maybe fueling them with renewable diesel that produces less CO2 is the "yes, and..." in the transition to zero emissions. Monica dives into how she works with a disparate set of stakeholders, balancing the needs of one group versus those of the larger region. Monica also reflects on how important it was to have a mentor when she started as CEO at NVTA; now, she's giving back as a WTS mentor, helping others climb the career ladder. Finally, Billy talks about leadership development and training. NTI provides essential training to transit professionals across North America. While the pandemic forced all of the classes online, this now has become an opportunity for NTI to continue to offer those classes online so they can reach people who aren't able to travel or have an NTI session come to their agency. We'll be hearing more from Doran about hydrogen fuel cell buses on an upcoming episode of Transit Unplugged, as well as leadership segments and, as always, insights from transit leaders on solving today's transit challenges. Next week we have Ric Ilgenfritz, CEO of Community Transit , talking with Paul about serving a diverse community north of Seattle, WA. Ric talks about helping commuters get to Seattle and helping people in his community get around a region with urban, suburban, and rural routes. If you have a question, comment, or want to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us at info@transitunplugged.com. Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) Transit Unplugged CEO Roundtable Live at ThinkTransit 2023 (00:10) Welcome and introductions (03:14) Doran Barnes career history and Foothill Transit https://vzyfm.co/43L0M90 (07:32) Monica Backmon on her career and NVTA https://vzyfm.co/3GVk1TP (13:35) Erinn Pinkerton her career and BC Transit https://vzyfm.co/43KQxBC (20
S6 E24 · Wed, April 12, 2023
Promoting Inclusive Public Transport in Singapore with Andy Thompson of Go-Ahead Singapore
Singapore is one of the most densely packed cities in the world. Designed to be a "car-light" city, most people rely on public transport to get around. Learn about this fully-integrated and accessible system from Andy Thompson, Managing Director of Go-Ahead Singapore. Paul Comfort and Andy Thompson discuss how Go-Ahead Singapore helps people in Singapore get from place to place with buses, subways, and more. Because so many people rely on public transport, it's essential the entire system be accessible and inclusive. From small placards people without visible disabilities can show to get a seat (a Go-Ahead innovation) to digital wayfinding, Singapore's transport system could be one of the most accessible systems in the world. Andy also talks about his career journey across continents before landing in Singapore to manage Go-Ahead there. This interview gives you a taste of what transit is all about in this island city-state. If you'd like to learn more about Singapore, watch the recent Transit Unplugged TV episode . Also on the show, Mike Bismeyer talks about the recent TripSpark Ignite conference...and the act of kindness that came from the trip. Next week we'll have the live CEO roundtable from ThinkTransit that happened just last week. It's a great conversation from the main stage, unplugged and in-depth. If you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on the show, email us at info@transitunplugged.com Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) Promoting Inclusive Public Transport in Singapore (00:20) Interivew with Andy Thompson, Go-Ahead Singapore (31:10) Mike's Minute with Mike Bismeyer (32:47) Coming up next week the Transit Unplugged Live CEO Roundtable (33:45) Subscribe to Transit Unplugged TV on YouTube Chapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm.
S6 E23 · Wed, April 05, 2023
Craig Cipriano On Planning for Zero Emissions and Developing Your Career
This week Paul is in conversation with Craig Cipriano and talking about how he put together the plan for New York MTA to transition to zero emissions. We talk a lot about the technology side of the problem. Hydrogen vs battery electric. How to charge batteries. Where is your hydrogen coming from. But what we don't talk about is how agencies need to adapt and change processes, workflows, and even the structure of their organizations to make it happen. The first thing Craig did to attack the problem head on, was to get everyone together--all the stakeholders--and created a new project management office. This office tackled the thorny problems of who would do what and who would have the final say on which decisions. It was the holistic view of the challenge that ensured departmental silos would be broken down and everyone who needed a say--from workforce to facilities, operations to maintenance--had a seat at the table. But some of Craig's best lessons from his conversation with Paul had to do with how he actively managed his career . He took advantage of opportunities. He sought out new things to learn. He got out of the office and into the field to learn more about the entire operation at the MTA. This active approach helped him climb the ladder at the MTA from mechanical engineer to eventually COO. His career advice is a must-listen no matter where you are in your career or what part of transit your work in (or even in transit at all). Also on the show: Paul talks about Andy Byford joining Amtrak and what that means for rail in the U.S. Elea Carey talks about building, protecting, and enhancing your agency's brand Paul reads from his first book Full Throttle on putting people first. Next week on the show, we have Andy Thompson of Go-Ahead Singapore on that city-state's integrated and accessible transit system. If you want to learn more about Singapore and its transit system, watch the episode on Transit Unplugged TV . If you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on the show, email us at info@transitunplugged.com
S6 E22 · Wed, March 29, 2023
Creating a dynamic on-demand transit system in Oklahoma with Kendra McGeady, Pelivan Transit
We often highlight large transit systems on Transit Unplugged, but there are hundreds of smaller transit systems that are just as--maybe even more so--innovative who also provide those critical links in their community. Kendra McGeady, Director of Pelivan Transit , is one of those innovators. Her coverage area is thousands of square miles in Oklahoma, supporting the Cherokee Nation, other tribes in the area, and the wider community as well. Like many rural transit services, Pelivan provides an essential link for people depending on transit to get to work, school, the store, and health care. Kendra also talks about her PICK Transportation pilot that connects people in the region with a more flexible on-demand service than a traditional call-ahead and book system. And while the pilot has been very successful so far, it hasn't been without its challenges. As Kendra relates, in the first few days of the pilot launch, a driver was assaulted, and their brand-new van was stolen. While everything turned out okay, it was a wake-up call for her. After that incident Pelivan added cameras, panic buttons, training, and other safety measures to ensure her drivers--and the community--would feel and be safe on her buses. You can hear Kendra tell the whole story in the episode, and it highlights that the problem of driver assaults in transit isn't a big city problem but a nationwide problem. Kendra was also a guest--like previous guest Noah Berger --on the Preventing Driver Assaults podcast (hosted by Paul and Kristen Joiner) and we encourage you to listen to her episode (episode six) as well as the other episodes in the series. Also on the show, Mike Bismeyer relates his special connection to Oklahoma to his career in transit and how it has shaped his mentorship and kindness journey Next week, Paul, Tris, and many past guests will be at ThinkTransit in Nashville, TN. If you'd like to join us, there's still time to register. Get all the details on the ThinkTransit website . If you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on the show, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) Kendra McGeady - Pelivan Transit (16:59) Mike's Minute with Mike Bismeyer (19:01) Interview with Kendra McGeady, part 2 (25:44) Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged (26:24) Subscribe to Transit Unplugged TV on YouTube Chapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm.
S6 E21 · Wed, March 22, 2023
What the financial crisis means for your agency with David Leininger and is hydrogen our best zero emissions option with Kirt Conrad
We have an info-packed show for you this week. We lead off with Paul in conversation with David Leininger of Leininger Analytics , talking about the current banking crisis and what agencies need to think about. Where David says you have to check for risk isn't where many of you would think! We then move on to Kirt Conrad talking about SARTA and its fleet of hydrogen fuel cell-powered buses--the third largest in the country! Finally, learn about building your emotional intelligence (EQ) from Shair Burgess of UTA . This is another great leadership development segment that will get you thinking about how you approach emotions and feelings at work. This episode highlights the depth and breadth of what we talk about here on Transit Unplugged. Going from the latest news that affects transit, technologies that will shape the future of the industry, and how to become a better leader inside and outside of work. There's nowhere else you'll find experts like these! Also on this episode, Elea Carey asks, how well do you really know your market? Regular market research and assessments are critical to your agency staying in tune with your community. Coming up next week, Kendra McGeady of Pelivan Transit will be Paul's guest on Transit Unplugged In-Depth. If you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on the show, email us at info@transitunplugged.com. Resources mentioned in Kirt Conrad's episode: National Renewable Energy Laboratory CALSTART Zero Emissions Bus Resource, Alliance Center for Transportation and the Environment Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) What the financial crisis means for your agency, hydrogen fuel cells, and EQ (00:18) What's on the show this week (02:15) Interivew with David Leininger founder of Leininger Analytics (13:17) Interview with Kirt Conrad CEO of SARTA (31:56) Elea Cary's Messaging Minute (33:30) Interview with Shari Burgess (53:47) Coming up next week Kendra McGeady (54:28) Subscribe to Transit Unplugged TV on YouTube! Chapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm.
S6 E20 · Wed, March 15, 2023
Noah Berger MVRTA
Noah Berger of the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA or MEVA) has done two amazing things at his agency: he's increased ridership 122% and gone zero fare--even going so far as removing the fareboxes from the buses. And the amazing thing about it is the why. Noah believes if take care of all your riders in general, you'll get more riders overall. He gives the example of accessible buses. They are great for people with disabilities, but they are also great for parents with strollers, people with groceries, and that person who doesn't need a lift, but appreciates having only one step to get on the bus. Noah believes transit needs to be a part of the community, really a part of it. MEVA embraces the people and cultures of his region. He's creating hubs for people to gather and small businesses get attention. He's worked with arts groups to give homes to custom-painted pianos and benches. He's ensuring everything about MEVA is made to get people where they need to go. From route numbers that make sense to route planning that get people to and from the places efficiently Noah is always thinking about his customers. Noah will be part of a first-of-its-kind debate at the Executive Summit during ThinkTransit on zero fares vs fare enforcement. Given his experience and results, it's going to be a good debate. It's not too late to register for the Executive Summit or ThinkTransit. We have all the registration information on the ThinkTransit website . Next week we have Kirt Conrad of STARK talking about hydrogen fuel buses and Shari Burgess in our leadership segment. If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com. Visit the episode page on TransitUnplugged.com to see the pianos, bench, and minibus. Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) Noah Berger Administrator, Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (00:18) Interview with Noah Berger, Administrator of the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority Link to MVRTA below https://vzyfm.co/3kRfqdx (01:10) Preventing Driver Assaults from CTAA Preventing Driver Assaults podcast with Paul Comfort, Noah Berger, Niorka Mendez, and Kristen Joiner https://vzyfm.co/3JCSMPs (13:01) MeVa Paratransit bus (14:25) Mike's Minute with Mike Bismeyer Connect with Mike on LinkedIn! https://vzyfm.co/3tAj8Zy (16:05) Interview with Noah Berger Continues (16:53) Piano 1 (16:59) Piano 2 (17:13) Piano 3 (17:30) Custom bench (34:28) Coming up next week Kirt Conrad and Shari Burgess (35:31) Subscribe to Transit Unplugged TV on YouTube https://vzyfm.co/3SB9Bx3 Chapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm.
S6 E19 · Wed, March 08, 2023
Jon Nouchi and Keith "Flip" Griffin
This week we have the companion interview to the Transit Unplugged TV episode from Hawaii , with Jon Nouchi, Deputy Director of the Honolulu Department of Transportation Services . For the first time, Paul doesn't just sit down with our guest; he walks and rides with Jon on the Number 8 electric bus. Jon tells Paul about his department's commitment to preserving the Hawaiian language and culture right down to having bus announcements in English and Hawaiian. While the conversation wanders into pineapples and food, Jon also reflects with Paul on their spirit of innovation as a crossroads of cultures in the middle of the Pacific. More than pretty beaches and volcanoes, Hawaii and its people are creating transit solutions that are uniquely theirs. We continue with retired Navy Command Master Chief and co-founder of Lions Guide , Keith "Flip" Griffin, with leadership lessons especially for people in the crucial middle-management layer. Middle managers are the glue that keeps organizations coordinated and connected, and Flip gives advice for managing up to the executives, down to their people, but also out and ahead to what lies on the horizon. This, and the rest of his advice, is crucial for anyone who wants to move up the ladder, and then what to do once you get there. Also on the show, Elea Carey talks about translating your agency materials into other languages. Google Translate might work okay, but native speakers will give you the edge when trying to really convey your meaning. Next week on Transit Unplugged In-Depth, we have Noah Berger, Administrator at the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority, talking about his agency, and some really cool pianos. Tune into Transit Unplugged News and Views wherever you get podcasts, including now YouTube ! If you have a question or want to be a guest on the show, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) Jon Nouchi and Keith Griffin (01:12) Interview with Jon Nouchi on the Number 8 Bus https://vzyfm.co/3F3wxQf (13:41) Elea Carey's Messaging Minute https://vzyfm.co/3EhVMyh (15:41) Interivew with Kieth "Flip" Griffin on Leadership https://vzyfm.co/3kXxSkD (29:10) Coming up next week Noah Berger https://vzyfm.co/3kRfqdx (29:46) Subscribe to Transit Unplugged on YouTube https://vzyfm.co/3SB9Bx3 Chapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm.
S6 E18 · Wed, March 01, 2023
Stephen M. R. Covey
We are excited to bring you this special episode of Transit Unplugged with world-renowned speaker and leadership expert Stephen M. R. Covey. In this riveting conversation, Paul and Stephen talk about what it means to lead people, organizations, and ourselves, today. Stephen Covey, already an expert on leadership and leadership development, faced a challenge while merging Franklin Quest and the Covey Leadership Center to form FranklinCovey . People who had been rivals and competitors were now working together and building a new company. And as Stephen tells it, things were not going well. As he studied the problem, Stephen realized the root cause was a lack of trust. Stephen figured out how to help build trust within the company and how that changed everything for the better and turned things around. Inspired by this experience, Stephen wrote the best-selling book Speed of Trust. Then based on that book's success, Stephen wrote Trust & Inspire: How Truly Great Leaders Unleash Greatness in Others , which was named the #1 Leadership Book of the Year by the Outstanding Work of Literature Awards. As Paul and Stephen explore the connections between trust, inspiration, and how we lead people, Stephen talks about how we should change our mindset to leading people and managing things . As Stephen says, people want to be led, not managed. They want to feel trusted in their job and then be able to extend that trust back to the company and its leaders. We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did and share it with others. If you'd like to learn more about Stephen Covey and the Global Trust Practice at FranklinCovey, visit https://www.speedoftrust.com/ . And as an extra bonus...you can now find the Transit Unplugged podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@transitunpluggedpodcast ! Also on the show, Mike Bismeyer connects Stephen's message of trust and inspiration with kindness and mentorship. Next week our newsmaker interview is with Jon Nouchi, Deputy Director of Transportation Services for the City and County of Honolulu and our leadership segment features Keith Griffin of Lions Guide. If you have a question, comment, or want to be a guest on the show, email us at info@transitunplugged.com. Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) Stephen M. R. Covey This week we have a special episode focused on leadership with world-renowned expert and best-selling author Stephen M. R. Covey. Transit Unplugged is now on YouTube! Subscribe today! https://www.youtube.com/@transitunpluggedpodcast https://vzyfm.co/3Zv8Yr0 (00:22) Interview with Stephen M. R. Covey Learn more about Stephen
S6 E17 · Wed, February 22, 2023
Christian Kent and Shawn Moon
This week we bring you two fantastic and thoughtful interviews on Transit Unplugged News and Views. First, transit consultant Christian Kent of Transit Management Consulting, LLC , talks with Paul about two essential topics: Delivering paratransit services Ensuring our hiring practices are inclusive and welcoming for disabled applicants. Christian talks about how the world of delivering paratransit has changed in the 30-odd years since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) first enacted the rules. He believes there are better, faster, and more sustainable ways to deliver paratransit by looking beyond "typical" paratransit solutions and towards solutions like TNC (transportation network companies) and fully accessible transit. Christian then segues into hiring the disabled. We are in critical need of workers, and the unemployment rate among the disabled is still around 70%, but are our hiring practices inclusive? Do disabled applicants feel welcome to apply? Something we all should ask ourselves when it comes to hiring. We then move on to another powerful leadership segment with Shawn Moon, Senior Consultant with FranklinCovey . Shawn is the co-author of Leading Loyalty: Cracking the Code to Customer Devotion and talks with Paul about the four critical facets of leadership and building an engaged team. Shawn continues with the three critical pillars of building loyalty with customers and the people you work with. Leadership and loyalty are intertwined together with what Stephen M. R. Covey will be talking about next week with a special Transit Unplugged In-Depth: leadership and trust. Also in this episode: Paul talks more about the Executive Summit during ThinkTransit and one of the burning issues facing the transit industry: fares. You can read more about the Executive Summit on the Trapeze blog . Elea Carey talks about how to spread the word that a career in transit isn't just all about driving. There are hundreds of careers in public transit from mechanics to marketing, plumbing to planning and more. As mentioned above, our special guest next week is Stephen M. R. Covey co-founder of the Global Trust Practice at FranklinCovey. This powerful episode will have you captivated from the first minute and keep you enthralled for the entire show. If you have a question or want to be a guest on Transit Unplugged email us at <a href="mail
S6 E16 · Wed, February 15, 2023
Ts Mazli Mustaffa -- Sarawak Metro
This week we give you the first of three podcast episodes from Paul's recent Pacific tour that took him from Hawaii to Malaysia to Singapore. We kick things off with the CEO of Sarawak Metro , Ts Mazli Mustaffa. Sarawak Metro is in a unique position where they are tasked with building and expanding public transit in their region--a challenge that always fosters innovation. As you'll hear in Paul's conversation with Mr. Mustaffa, they have a tremendous innovation running in Sarawak: an autonomous, green hydrogen-powered trackless tram that works like light rail, but on wheels. This gives them the ability to flexibly manage the service without needing to worry about tracks or railways. The autonomous rapid transit solution has also had a side benefit as a way to create jobs and technology innovation in the region. From generating green hydrogen to power the fleet to the technology that makes the buses autonomous the Sarawak region is at the cutting edge of these two key technologies. Also in this episode, Mike Bismeyer brings us Mike's Minute reflecting on last week's guest Eulois Cleckley's leadership segment focusing on people and mentoring. Next week we have transit consultant Christian Kent chatting with Paul about recruitment and retention and then we have Shawn Moon of FranklinCovey talking about leadership. Shawn will also be a speaker at the Executive Summit during ThinkTransit . We're very excited to announce our March 1st show will be entirely dedicated to leadership with our very special guest Stephen M R Covey author of Trust and Inspire and Smart Trust. Stay tuned for more about Stephen M R Covey's upcoming episode. Stay tuned for more about Stephen M R Covey's upcoming episode. If you have a question or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, you can email us at info@transitunplugged.com. Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) Ts Mazli Mustaffa, CEO Sarawak Metro (00:30) Interview with Mazli Mustaffa, CEO Sarawak Metro (15:56) Mike's Minute with Mike Bismeyer (18:39) Interview with Ts Mazli Mustaffa, part 2 (25:29) Coming up next week Christian Kent and Shawn Moon (26:14) Attend the Executive Summit at ThinkTransit Learn more at https://www.trapezegroup.com/thinktransit/executive-summit Only $149 and includes access to the entire ThinkTransit conference. https://vzyfm.co/3Kctetr Chapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm.
S6 E15 · Wed, February 08, 2023
Stacey Matlen and Eulois Cleckley
One of the hardest things about transit is getting new technology into production. Something that sounds great, but is just a little on the cutting edge is hard for agencies to practically test and trial. This is where The Partnership for New York City and The Transit Tech Lab come in. Stacey Matlen, VP of Innovation at the Partnership for NYC, talks with Paul about how she's helping technology companies and the region's transit agencies test out new ideas and bring the best into production. Right now they have two competitions going for operational efficiency and human capital and you can learn more about these competitions in the show and on the Transit Tech Lab website. We continue our new leadership series with Eulois Cleckley, Director and CEO of the Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works , talking about his formula for helping build leaders and being a leader in his agency. Eulois has been on the show before talking about his vision for transit, now we see how that vision for transit is reflected in his leadership vision . "... Leadership really is about people and it's about the people you serve. And it's also about the staff that comes, works very hard for you every single day. And so if you're not focused on making sure you're preparing and protecting your staff, and you're leading your staff and you're setting a sound vision for them; you're really putting a department in a bad position to not be as effective as what it could be. And then for those employees that are highly talented and could go on to do great things, you're suppressing their ability to do so. " Also on the show: Paul tells about the retirement of an industry legend, and three new CEOs taking the helms' of their agencies this month. Elea gives us some ideas for swag that won't just end up being thrown away. Next week on Transit Unplugged we have the first of several interviews from Paul's recent Pacific tour. Listen to Paul in conversation with Ts Mazli Mustaffa, CEO of Sarawak Metro in Malaysia, as they talk about the metro system and their green hydrogen efforts. If you have a question or would like to be a guest on the show, you can email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) Stacey Matlen and Eulois Cleckley (00:04) Opening and Transit News of the Week (05:58) Interview with Stacey Matlen , VP Innovation, Partnership for
S6 E14 · Wed, February 01, 2023
Kate Mattice -- Northern Virginia Transportation Commission
This week Paul chats with Kate Mattice, Executive Director of the Northern Virginia Transit Commission , about managing and advising transit agencies and the Virginia Rail Express in one of the most complex and connected regions in the United States. From zero emissions to zero fare, Kate Mattice is tackling the big issues facing transit in Northern Virginia and the U.S. Capitol Region. It's not enough to get people from A to B; you need to plan for C, D, and E as well. In today's new transit environment with zero emissions, zero fare, and infrastructure investments, Kate has a pragmatic vision for getting it done. You might remember last season's episode with Monica Backmon and her similar task in the region, these two episodes highlight the critical need to cross-agency collaboration in regions like Northern Virginia. Also this week Mike Bismeyer comments on mentoring and mentorship in Mike's Minute. Mike recently share his work with a new mentee and how the value you get from being a mentor goes both ways. Next week on Transit Unplugged we have Stacey Matlen, VP of Innovation at Partnership for New York City , and Eulois Cleckley, CEO of the Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works . If you have a question or want to be a guest on the show, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) Kate Mattice, Executive Director, Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (00:26) Interview with Kate Mattice, Part 1 (19:49) Mike's Minute with Mike Bismeyer (21:39) Interview with Kate Mattice, Part 2 (26:51) Coming up next week: Stacey Matlen and Eulois Cleckley (27:47) Subscribe to Transit Unplugged TV on YouTube! Chapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm.
S6 E13 · Wed, January 25, 2023
Rikesh Shah and Larnzell Harper
Great leaders foster great innovation. Rikesh Shah is driving innovation at Transport for London (TfL) , and Larnzell Harper helps level up transit leaders. Learn about both sides of the equation in two dynamic interviews. People think innovation is all about new shiny things, but it's really about finding new ways to solve problems. Rikesh Shah, Head of Open Innovation at TfL dives into some of the innovations he's led--and some of them have less to do with moving people than understanding everything about the environment of moving them. We continue with our leadership series with Larnzell Harper, Manager of Training and Development at VIA Metropolitan Transit helping people level up as leaders with pragmatic advice on decision-making and creating a toolbox of leadership tools you can leverage across jobs and situations. Innovation and leadership are so closely aligned. Building a culture of innovation requires leaders who are okay with false starts and mistakes. Leaders who look at how everyone else has done it and ask, "Can we do this better? Is this really working?" Larnzell and Rikesh typify leaders who make it safe to ask questions, try new things, and push us--and our agencies--to be better. Also on the show, Paul has the transit news of the week, including a historic grant award for Chicago's Metra, and Elea Carey reminds us that a postcard in the mail could be just the thing to get your message across. Next week on Transit Unplugged we have Kate Mattice, Executive Director of the Northern Virginia Transit Commission. If you have questions or comments, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) Rikesh Shah and Larnzell Harper--Innovation and Leadership (00:31) Transit News of the Week (05:36) Interview with Rikesh Shah, Head of Open Innovation, Transport for London (26:15) Messaging Minute with Elea Carey (27:58) Subscribe to Transit Unplugged TV on YouTube (28:45) Interview with Larnzell Harper Manager of Training and Development, VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority (39:20) Coming up next week Kate Mattice of the Northern Virginia Transit Commission Chapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm.
S6 E12 · Wed, January 18, 2023
Catherine Rinaldi -- Metro-North and Long Island Rail Roads
Join Paul in conversation with Catherine Rinaldi, President of Metro-North Railroad and Interim President of Long Island Rail Road in New York. As Catherine says in her chat with Paul, New York wouldn't be New York without transit. Getting from A to B efficiently makes buses, subways, and trains. These two critical rail lines provide commuters with critical connections throughout the New York Metropolitan Area, and the new stations--like Grand Central Madison--will make connections even smoother. Learn about all the plans for connecting New York, her career, and her look ahead at how rail fits into the larger transportation picture in this week's Transit Unplugged In-Depth. Also in this episode, Mike Bismeyer gives his leadership insight in Mike's Minute--now airing on In-Depth shows! If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com or sign up for the newsletter so you're always in the loop with what's going on with the show. Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) Catherine Rinaldi Full Show (00:13) Interview with Cathy Rinaldi, Part 1h (20:34) Mike's Minute with Mike Bismeyer (22:18) Interview with Cathy Rinaldi, part 2 (29:24) Subscribe to Transit Unplugged TV on YouTube (30:16) Closing and coming up next week Chapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm.
S6 E11 · Wed, January 11, 2023
Matthew Daus and Dale Walls
This week we kick off something new on Transit Unplugged. Every other week, in addition to our newsmaker interview, Paul will talk with a leadership expert on developing and improving your leadership skills. No matter what level you're at in your organization, these segments are essential to your career. As this week's guest Dale Walls, founder of Lions Guide , says: "You're always the leader of yourself." Paul kicks off the show with Matthew Daus, Partner and Chair of Transportation Practice Group Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf, LLP, talking about combatting congestion and some of the things to look out for this year. We hear from Elea Carey on how to communicate personnel changes at your agency--and get your announcements noticed. Finally, Paul chats with Dale Walls about leveling up your skills with courage, clarity, and leadership. Next week on Transit Unplugged, we have Catherine Rinaldi, President of Metro North Railroad and Interim President of the Long Island Railroad for New York MTA. If you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on the show, email us at info@transitunplugged.com. And don't forget to subscribe to the newsletter so you're always in the loop with what's going on with the show. Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) Introduction and News (06:22) Interview with Matthew Daus (16:57) Elea Carey's Messaging Minute (18:33) Interview with Dale Walls on leadership (33:36) Subscribe to Transit Unplugged TV on YouTube (34:23) Coming up next week on the show... Chapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm.
S6 E10 · Wed, January 04, 2023
Jim Derwinski -- CEO Metra Commuter Rail Chicago
Paul kicks off 2023 talking with Jim Derwinski CEO of Metra Commuter Rail in Chicago. The changing face and role of commuter rail in connecting suburbs to cities was a big topic in 2022 and will certainly continue throughout 2023. As we see Tuesday-Thursday cities and flattening the peak across North America and the world, we're seeing commuter rail becoming less about "get me to work on time" and more "get me into the city for fun without my car." But what does this mean for the future of rail properties? How will they adapt to the changing passenger needs? Jim Derwinski talks about what Metra Commuter Rail is doing as part of Chicago's larger transportation system. Jim's vision is for people to be able to jump on any mode of transport and get to where they are going quickly, seamlessly, and cheaply. As Mohamed Mezgahni said in the 2022 year-end wrap-up (listen now if you haven't had a chance) , public transport in all its forms will be essential to fighting climate change and making our cities more liveable places in the future. Next week on the show, we have Matthew Daus, Partner and Chair of the Transportation Practice Group at Windels Marx talking about moving people in the Big Apple. If you have a question, comment, or want to be a guest on the show, email us at info@transitunplugged.com and don't forget to sign up for the newsletter so you're always in the look with what's going on with the show.
S6 E9 · Wed, December 28, 2022
End of the year wrap up for 2022
Join Paul for a very special Transit Unplugged episode. This look back at 2022 and ahead to 2023 features four amazing transportation leaders: Mohamed Mezghani, Secretary General, UITP Jeremy Yap, Deputy Chief Executive, LTA , Vice President, UITP Executive Board Julie Timm, CEO, Sound Transit Rod Jones, Portfolio Leader, Head of Americas, Modaxo In this wide-ranging, three-part conversation, you'll hear what each of these leaders thinks about the current state and future of transportation around the world. A few topics they cover are: Attracting new riders Public transport and climate change Technology innovations in 2023 Hardening infrastructure for extreme weather Investing in the right solutions for entire communities Looking at righting past development wrong to create a more equitable--and welcoming--transit system. Finally, Paul and Rod Jones talk about Modaxo, its role in global transportation, and what 2023 is looking like for the company. This is a must-listen and inspiring episode sure to set the scene for a great 2023. Next week on Transit Unplugged we have Jim Derwinski, CEO of Metra Commuter Rail on the show talking about Chicago's changing commuter landscape. If you have a question, comment, or want to be a guest on the show, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) Introduction (02:29) Part 1: Interview with Mohamed Mezghani, Jeremy Yap, and Rod Jones (33:09) Part 2: Interview with Julie Timm with Rod Jones and Paul Comfort (52:00) Part 3: Conversation about Modaxo with Rod Jones Chapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm.
S6 E8 · Wed, December 21, 2022
Dave McKenna -- Rocky Mountaineer
This week we bring you something a little different. Usually, when we talk about rail we're talking about commuters or inter-city rail, but in this episode, we're talking about rail tourism. Dave McKenna, CEO of the Rocky Mountaineer talks with Paul about delivering an unparalleled rail experience traveling through some of the most amazing scenery in North America. With routes in British Columbia, Alberta, and now Colorado-Utah, the Rocky Mountaineer, traveling at "the speed of Kodak" lets people unwind watching scenery go by combined with world-class food and accommodations. Dave and Paul talk about the logistics of offering rail excursions, going above and beyond with hospitality, and how he doesn't settle for "good enough" in keeping the Rocky Mountaineer safe. This focus on the customer, sometimes offering things before a passenger even knows they need it, could be an example for commuter rail in North America bringing a customer-centric approach to commuting. Next week we have an especially amazing episode to close out the year. Join Paul in conversation with: Mohamed Mezghani, Secretary General, UITP Jeremy Yap, Deputy Chief Executive, LTA, Vice President, UITP Executive Board Julie Timm, CEO, Sound Transit Rod Jones, Portfolio Leader, Head of Americas, Modaxo This special hour-long episode is not to be missed! This look back at 2022 and ahead 2023 with some of transportation's most important thought leaders will inspire you as we head into 2023. From everyone at Transit Unplugged and Modaxo, we wish all of our listeners Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year. If you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on the show, email us at info@transitunplugged.com.
S6 E7 · Wed, December 14, 2022
Mike Bagshaw - MTR UK
We're winding down the year with another trip across the pond to London. Paul talks with Mike Bagshaw, COO MTR UK, about running the Elizabeth Line (and completing all the remaining connections), the technology needed to run it on time, and how MTR uses property development to fund transit operations in cities like Hong Kong. Mike talks about how MTR UK used digital twin tech to test, refine, and configure the Elizabeth Line schedules to be reliable even when things don't always go to plan. Also this week: Paul covers some of the latest transit news including Washington DC going fare-free and two high-profile retirements Elea Carey talks about how to communicate service changes Mike Bismeyer talks about being thankful this season and showing gratitude. Next week we have Dave McKenna, CEO of the Rocky Mountaineer, on the show talking about rail tourism. If you have a question or would like to be on the show, email info@transitunplugged.com
S6 E6 · Wed, December 07, 2022
Mass Transit 40 Under 40 Part 2: Carlos Cruz-Casas, Roman Steichen, and Sophia Maletz Franklyn
We wrap up our Mass Transit Magazine 40 Under 40 series with interviews with three more amazing transit leaders: Carlos Cruz-Casas, Chief Innovation Officer, Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works Roman Steichen, Director of Transit Services, Frederick County, MD Sophia Maletz Franklyn, Director of Fare Revenue & Administrative Services, TriMet In conversation with Paul and Mischa Wanek-Libman, Editor in Chief of Mass Transit Magazine we learn how each of them apply their leadership skills, ingenuity, and vision for public transit to solving challenges and innovating at their agencies. This week there is a strong focus on innovation and creating systems that help everyone have a better, a more dignified experience, as Roman put it, taking transit. From new seamless payment solutions at TriMet, steering the agency through the COVID-19 pandemic in Maryland, or connecting city and county transportation systems in Miami-Dade, each of these leaders tell us their stories and demonstrate why they are part of this prestigious group of transit leaders. Next week we head over to the UK where Paul interviewed Mike Bagshaw, COO of MTR UK about rail and rail travel. Don't forget to sign up for the Transit Unplugged newsletter and if you have a question email us at info@transitunplugged.com
S6 E5 · Wed, November 30, 2022
Mass Transit 40 Under 40 Part 1: Kayleigh Cleek and Sapna Shah
This week we have the first of two special Mass Transit 40 Under 40 shows. This week Paul Comfort and Mischa Wanek-Libman, Editor in Chief of Mass Transit Magazine talk with two of the honorees: Kayleigh Cleek, Transit Planning Manager, Greenville Transit Authority, and Sapna Shah, Superintendent, NY MTA talk about their careers, what they do at their agencies, and their visions for the future of transit. These are two extraordinary women who are already making their mark on the transit world. And next week we continue the series with Carlos Cruz-Casas, Chief Innovation Officer, Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works, Roman Steichen, Director of Transit Services, Frederick County, and Sophia Maletz Franklyn, Director of Fare Revenue & Administrative Services at TriMet talking with Paul and Mischa. Also on the show we have: Transit infrastructure news Elea Carey's Messaging Minute Mike's Minute with Mike Bismeyer. Don't forget to sign up for the email newsletter so you're always in the loop. If you have a question, comment, or want to be a guest on the show, email us at info@transitunplugged.com
S6 E4 · Wed, November 23, 2022
Dave Reage -- Halifax Transit
This week we head out east to Halifax, Nova Scotia and hear from Dave Reage, Executive Director of Halifax Transit about his uniquely Canadian transit system. In conversation with Paul, Dave talks about the balance of being a center of government, the Atlantic home of the Canadian Navy, serving rural communities, and running a commuter ferry service across Halifax Harbor. As a trivia note, Halifax and Vancouver are the only transit systems in Canada that integrate ferries into the transit system. Dave has spent 15 years working at Halifax Transit and is overseeing its transition to zero emission transit as part of the HalifACT climate action plan. Halifax Transit is looking at both battery electric and hydrogen to power its buses so he can make sure his system is disaster ready. Next week on Transit Unplugged we have the first of two shows with recipients of Mass Transit's 40 Under 40 awards and Mass Transit Editor-in-Chief Mischa Wanak-Libman. If you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on the show, email us at info@transitunplugged.com. And don't forget to sign up for the newsletter to stay in the loop with everything going on with the show.
S6 E3 · Wed, November 16, 2022
Jarrett Walker -- Jarrett Walker and Assoc. Part 2
Welcome to part two of Paul's interview with Jarrett Walker of Jarret Walker & Associates . In this part of the interview, Paul and Jarrett talk about two of the hottest topics in public transport: equity and the demise of rush hour. Jarrett discusses the tension and balance between focusing on ridership versus coverage when looking at transit equality. As he talked about in part one, too far to one side or another leads to very different transit systems. He gives an example from his homebase of Portland, OR where there is a proposal to cut routes from some areas of the city to give disadvantaged areas of the city better coverage. Listen to his perspective on the topic. Then Jarrett goes into how if agencies are freed from needing to offer peak rush hour service--which is both inefficient and expensive--they can use those funds to offer better all-day coverage for routes in the system. This is something we've heard a lot about before, but Jarrett brings in the perspective of riders who think it's great to have rapid rush hour service, not realizing it's a cost to the whole system. You can also read more about Jarrett's work and check out his book at HumanTransit.org . Also on this week's show: In transit news of the week, Paul talks about the successful ballot measures in the U.S. that will support better transit in many cities and states. Elea Carey --while fighting a cold--talks about how to make sure health and safety messaging gets across to your riders. Feel better Elea! Mike Bismeyer talks about World Kindness day Paul wraps up the show talking about the Intelligent Transport conference he attended in London, CoMotion in LA this week, and a few of the people who will be on upcoming shows and Transit Unplugged TV. Next week we have Dave Reage of Halifax Transit on the show and back to our usual programming. Until our end of the year specials, of course. If you have a question, comment, or want to be a guest on the show, email us at info@transitunplugged.com. Show notes timeline. Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) Introduction and Transit News Transit news of the week. 80% of transit ballot measures passed in U.S. elections this week. Showing continued support for transit! (08:02) Interview with Jarrett Walker, Part 2 The interview with Jarrett Walker continues with discussions on equity and rush hour service https://vzyfm.co/3EAoUkl (18:52) Watch Transit Unplugged TV on YouTube! Part 2 of Paul's
S6 E2 · Wed, November 09, 2022
Jarrett Walker -- Jarrett Walker and Assoc. Part 1
We continue our special kick-off to Season 6 with a special two-part Transit Unplugged News and Views with Jarrett Walker of Jarrett Walker & Associates talking about what it takes to rebuild and replan a transit network. Jarrett and his team are the minds behind the Houston Model transit system. The Houston Model brought focus on providing fast, efficient, frequent service with minimal transfers and away from ridership as the main driver, or indicator, of success. In part one we set the stage for why Houston needed this major change and the results. In part 2, Paul and Jarrett talk about the "why" of transit in the post-pandemic era. Make sure you tune into both parts of this great interview! Also in this episode: Paul gives you the transit news of the week including big changes at MBTA Elea Carey talks about when, and how, to talk to the media Mike Bismeyer reflects on APTATRANSform and CUTA conferences Paul wraps the show with an excerpt from his latest book and an update where he'll be speaking over the next couple months. Don't forget to subscribe to the newsletter on TransitUnplugged.com and if you have a question or comment you can email us at info@transitunplugged.com. Enriched by Vizzy (00:00) Transit News of the Week (07:09) Interview with Jarrett Walker Learn more about Jarrett and his work on his website. Including his book Human Transit https://vzyfm.co/3DPiE6z (21:59) Watch Transit Unplugged TV on YouTube Watch Transit Unplugged TV on YouTube! This week is part 2 of our two-part show from Denver, CO https://vzyfm.co/3NMmF0k (22:45) Elea Carey Marketing Minute Elea Carey is a marketing consultant who works with transit agencies. This week she talks about when to talk with the media. https://vzyfm.co/3EhVMyh (24:19) Mike's Minute with Mike Bismeyer Mike's Minute on leadership and mentorship. This week Mike talks about attending the recent APTA and CUTA conferences. https://vzyfm.co/3Eh06Oj (25:55) Future of Transit Paul talks about his upcoming speaking appearances and reads an excerpt from his book. https://vzyfm.co/3EfUsMd (29:19) Closing and next week Next week we continue with part 2 of Paul's interview with Jarrett Walker. Don't forget to visit TransitUnplugged.com and sign up for our weekly newsletter. https://vzyfm.co/3EbUSmJ Chapters
S6 E1 · Wed, November 02, 2022
Rich Davey -- New York MTA
Welcome to a very special episode of Transit Unplugged In-Depth! This episode marks our fifth anniversary, the start of Season 6, and it also happens to be our 225th show! To celebrate these milestones we have an interview with Rich Davey, President New York City Transit, NY MTA as our guest. Paul interviewed Rich live from the APTATRANSform show in the Vontas booth in October after Paul's very successful book signing event. Rich and Paul dive into what it's like to run North America's largest public transit system. From post-pandemic changes to faring, to how Rich plans to make the entire MTA system better for everyone. Rich's plans for more accessible subway stations and restructuring bus routes across the city are just two ways Rich plans to keep the Big Apple moving all day, every day. Next week on Transit Unplugged News and Views we have part one of a special two-part series with transit consultant and planner Jarrett Walker. Paul and Jarrett start off talking about how public transit is changing and the Houston model Jarrett championed before the pandemic. In part two Paul and Jarrett talk about the new role and future of public transit in the post-pandemic era. We hope you join us and enjoy this special three-episode celebration of Season 6 of Transit Unplugged. If you have a question, comment, or want to be a guest on the show, email us at info@transitunplugged.com.
S5 E53 · Wed, October 26, 2022
Jennifer DeBruhl -- Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
With decades of transportation experience in Virginia, Jennifer DeBruhl knows the value of connecting people with reliable transit. From successful rural microtransit projects to Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) to invigorated North-South and East-West rail connections, Jennifer is creating the infrastructure for growth in the Commonwealth. In this week's Transit Unplugged In-Depth, Paul talks with Jennifer about her career journey, her plans across the state to connect Virginia to neighboring regions, and breaking records for passenger rail in the state. Jennifer also gives Paul an update on innovations in rural microtransit--so successful she's looking at expanding to other parts of Virginia--and her Transportation Navigator GTFS system for the entire state. Next week is a very special episode of Transit Unplugged! Next week we kick off Season 6--and the fifth anniversary and the 225th episode--with a very special guest interview recorded live from APTAtransform in Seattle. Want to know who it is? You'll have to listen to the end of the show to find out! If you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on the show, email us at info@transitunplugged.com.
S5 E52 · Wed, October 19, 2022
Charles Lattuca -- GoTriangle
The Research Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) in North Carolina is one of the fastest-growing areas in the U.S. Already at 2 million people, they are expecting another million people by 2050. So, how do you keep the area moving without relying on more cars and more roads? Better regional transit, of course! This week Paul chats with Charles Lattuca, President and CEO of GoTriangle , which works with partner agencies GoRaleigh, GoDurham, and Chapel Hill Transit to create a unified transit system to service the expected million people and 850,000 new jobs coming into the area. With eyes on commuter rail and Transit Oriented Development (TOD), Charles has a vision for making sure people can get to work and play, and not have to use a car to do it. Also on the show this week: Paul's recap of APTAtransform and where he'll be speaking next Transit news of the week, including some exciting new leadership at APTA and other agencies Elea Carey on marketing transit to our youngest riders Mike Bismeyer on the excitement he experienced at APTAtransform with all the other amazing transit leaders from across North America. Next week on Transit Unplugged we have Jennifer DeBruhl, Director of Rail and Public Transportation in Virginia. If you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on the show, email us at info@transitunplugged.com
S5 E51 · Wed, October 12, 2022
Vernon Everitt -- Transport for Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester is about the size of London with a population of roughly 3 million people. Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, wants to help his region have safe, convenient, affordable, and green public transport options. Transport for Greater Manchester already has one of the largest tram networks in Europe and now they are in the process of following the Transport for London model of central oversight over buses under a franchise model. All with the goal of getting more people out of cars and use buses, scooters, bikes, and walking to get around the region. Join Vernon and Paul as they talk about the franchise model, how safety is crucial to ridership, Vernon's custom guitar, and the future of green transport in Manchester. This recent article in Intelligent Transport talks about the new electric buses coming to the Bee Network and all of TfGM's electrification plans. Next week on Transit Unplugged we head to North Carolina as Paul chats with Charles Lattuca of GoTriangle. And this Friday a new episode of Transit Unplugged TV drops coming from Denver! Make sure you subscribe so you know the moment it's live. If you have a question about the show, email us at info@transitunplugged.com.
S5 E50 · Wed, October 05, 2022
Lisa Walton -- SFMTA
Lisa Walton is the CTO of SFMTA, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (aka Muni) , and is responsible for one of the largest and most complex transit regions in North America. She needs to interact with over 20 different agencies and services around the Bay Area, not to mention all the people within the city and county of San Francisco. And the biggest challenges are seamless travel and getting the right information to people at the right time. One of Lisa's biggest projects recently has been a total overhaul of Muni's customer information system. Lisa and her team replaced a 20-year-old plus system--a system you couldn't even get parts for anymore--with a state-of-the-art system that gives riders all the information they need to get where they are going. Her system goes well beyond "the next bus will be here in 5 minutes" information to capacity information and soon ways to adjust your trip based on real-time conditions. Listen to Lisa's interview with Paul and learn all about that and more about the technology that runs Muni. Also on Transit Unplugged News and Views this week: Transit news of the week Elea Carey on marketing to keep riders riding Mike Bismeyer tells the story of how one agency came together in a tragedy in the transit family Paul talks about his newly released book and book launch at APTATransform next week Next week on Transit Unplugged In-Depth we have Vernon Everitt, Transit Commissioner for the City of Manchester in the UK. If you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on the show, email us at info@transitunplugged.com.
S5 E49 · Wed, September 28, 2022
Michelle Bouchard -- Caltrain
Stretching from San Francisco to Gilroy (the garlic capital of the U.S.), Caltrain follows the spine of the Bay Area peninsula and straight through Silicon Valley. Having been around since the 1860s, Silicon Valley grew up around Caltrain. And unlike most commuter rail lines, Caltrain doesn't serve a single city center with traffic going one way in the morning and back in the afternoon; people travel up and down the peninsula in both directions getting to work. This is, as Michelle says, a blessing and a curse. She needs to plan for a constant flow of people north and south, no matter what time of day. The pandemic has had its challenges for Caltrain, but Michelle and her team have adapted service throughout the day, nights, and weekends. Caltrain is coming back, but like all commuter rail lines, no one is quite sure what that's going to look like long term. One thing is for sure--electric trains! The first four trainsets have arrived ahead of full revenue service in 2024 and the trains look pretty amazing. Learn more in this week's Transit Unplugged In-Depth. Next week on Transit Unplugged News and Views Paul's guest will be Lisa Walton, CTO of SFMTA. Don't forget to sign up for the newsletter and if you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com.
S5 E48 · Wed, September 21, 2022
Suhair Al Khatib -- Washington Metro Rail Safety Commission
Suhair Al Khatib knows safety. After years at Baltimore MTA, he's now a Commissioner for Maryland on the Washington Metro Rail Safety Commission and his job is simple. Keep passengers safe. Safety isn't just about ticking boxes or enforcing rules, it's a mindset. It's knowing that putting safety first sometimes means disrupting service. Sometimes it means inconveniencing the traveling public. Because if you don't make those tough calls and let things slide, bad things can happen. Join Paul and Suhair in talking about safety including Suhair's plans that won awards and are a model for how to make repairs with the least amount of disruption possible. Also in this episode: Updates from Paul on upcoming events Transit news of the week Mike's Minute with Mike Bismeyer And Julie Gates sitting in for Elea Carey Tune in and enjoy. Next week we have Michelle Bouchard Acting Executive Director of CalTrain to talk about the seventh largest commuter rail line in the U.S. Don't forget to sign up for the newsletter and if you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us at info@transitunplugged.com.
S5 E47 · Wed, September 14, 2022
Paul Comfort, Bacarra Mauldin, and Alex Wiggins on Diversity and Inclusion
Our guest host Julie Gates, award-winning broadcaster and Director of Marketing at Trapeze interviews Paul about his upcoming book Conversations on Equity and Inclusion in Public Transportation . They talk about why he wrote it, what it's about, what you'll learn from it, and most importantly what it means to Paul. We also hear from Bacarra Mauldin of MARTA reading excerpts from her forward to the book and Alex Wiggins of NORTA on the practical things he's doing for diversity and inclusion in New Orleans. Paul's book will be unveiled on October 10th in the Vontas booth at APTA TRANSform. At APTA Paul will be giving away and signing copies of the book. Several of the contributors to the book will also be on hand to sign your copy and chat. You'll be able to buy the book shortly thereafter from all the places you get books. Next week Paul chats with Suhair Al Khatib from Metro Rail in Washington D.C. If you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us at info@transitunplugged.com.
S5 E46 · Wed, September 07, 2022
Steve Young -- VIA Metropolitan Transit
We've all stood at a stop wondering when the next bus will arrive. And a lot of us have wondered why a bus didn't go where we thought it would because of a detour or closure. These are not good feelings as a rider. Steve Young, VP of Technology and Innovation at VIA Metropolitan Transit in San Antonio, TX knows a thing or two about data and customers. He and his team have pushed the limits of technology to give his customers the absolutely latest information about routes and buses. VIA riders always know where a bus is, and route changes are updated every day so your planned trips go as planned. It's these little things that have given VIA an off the charts NPS (Net Promoter Score) rating from its customers. Hear how Steve dug into the technology and data so his team could deliver these amazing results. Also this week on Transit Unplugged News and Views: This week's transit news Messaging Minute with Elea Carey Mike's Minute with Mike Bismeyer Update from Paul on where he'll be over the next few months, including where you can get a copy of his new book coming out in October. And don't forget this Friday we'll have a special episode of Transit Unplugged TV from APTA Tech all about ... transit technology! Next week on Transit Unplugged In-Depth we have Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner for Manchester U.K. If you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us at info@transitunplugged.com.
S5 E45 · Wed, August 31, 2022
David Scorey - CEO Keolis North America
David Scorey leads Keolis North America working with agencies across the U.S. and Canada. From starting in the trenches in the UK's rail sector to managing the MBTA commuter rail contract, and now CEO of Keolis North America, David keeps his sights on what's important to agencies and riders. David looks at transit holistically, like how he views accessibility: "When I talk about accessibility, many people think of step-free access, you know, elevators and things like that. And of course, that's an important part of it, but accessibility is more than that to me; it's about what we can do to take away the mystique of every journey and make it again, as easy as possible for people to travel and encourage that travel." David leverages Keolis worldwide to both learn from other regions, but also help other regions learn from North American examples too. The Keolis KPI room is a key part of keeping sight of what's important to riders--safe, efficient journeys--and agencies--On Time Performance, budgets, and improving the transit system overall. The KPI room gives everyone at Keolis, regardless of where in the world they work, a north star for what they are working on. Next week on Transit Unplugged News and Views, Paul is talking with Steve Young, Chief Innovation Officer at VIA in San Antonio, and technology and innovation at his agency and beyond. If you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us at info@transitunplugged.com.
S5 E44 · Wed, August 24, 2022
Steve Martingano -- Denver RTD Transit Police
Six years ago Steve Martingano challenged conventions with his innovative policing strategy at Denver RTD by pairing officers with mental health workers. He saw a lot of police interactions weren't criminal issues, but medical issues. People needed help. They needed medical care. They needed support. They needed housing. Steve talks with Paul about how after six years he's expanding his efforts beyond medical and mental health support to housing and social service access. Steve talks about changing mindsets about the causes and solutions of issues on transit and how it's positively affected the region. Learn how it started, where it is today, and how he continues to help those most vulnerable in his community. We also hear in the news segment about the billions of dollars of funding awarded for low and no emissions plus other infrastructure investments. Elea Carey talks about how to measure the effectiveness of your communications plans and Mike Bismeyer checks in on great work helping others in Orlando, FL. Next week Paul is talking with David Scorey of Keolis about contracting in public transit. If you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email info@transitunplugged.
S5 E43 · Wed, August 17, 2022
Monica Backmon -- Northern Virginia Transportation Authority
Monica Backmon, CEO of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority , has a unique job in the transit world. Her agency plans and funds transportation projects as small as traffic calming and as big as Bus Rapid Transit. And she does it across cities, towns, and counties in Northern Virginia. While often compared to a Municipal Planning Organization, NVTA has no close comparators in the United States. Her responsibility is broad and so is her mandate to help move people across her region. From supporting a town of 123 people to cities of millions with planning and funding, Monica juggles the needs of a diverse set of people in one of the fastest growing regions of the U.S. Her extraordinary vision gives helps with diverse needs and incomes. Those for whom transit is a necessity and those who could use something else. Her goal is to improve transit and the region for a brighter, greener future through better, smarter technology. If you have a comment, question, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email info@transitunplugged.com.
S5 E42 · Wed, August 10, 2022
April Rai CEO COMTO
Paul met April Rai, CEO of COMTO (Conference of Minority Transportation Officials) at the recent COMTO conference in Miami. He sat down with April to talk about the origins of COMTO, the challenges transit is facing today, and her vision for how we'll solve them. On Transit Unplugged News and Views this week we also have: Transit news of the week Elea Carey's messaging minute Mike Bismeyer on leadership Updates from Paul about his latest book about diversity and inclusion in transit Next week on Transit Unplugged In-Depth our guest will be Monica Backmon, CEO of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority. We'd like to thank all our listeners who nominated us for a Podcast Award; we made the cut! Transit Unplugged is in the voting round and we'll hear the results in September. If you have a question, comment, or would like to be on Transit Unplugged, email us at info@transitunplugged.com; and don't forget to sign up for our newsletter on our website!
S5 E41 · Wed, August 03, 2022
Henry Li -- SacRT
This week Paul talks with a guest we've wanted to get on the show for a long, long time. When Henry Li arrived in Sacramento, the agency needed to restore both public trust in the system and financial stability for the agency. In his 7 year tenure so far he's launched the first microtransit pilot in the U.S., made the system free for kids in grades K-12, and ensured there was pay equity across his agency. His efforts have clearly paid off, Henry was named APTA CEO of the year in 2019 and SacRT was named APTA agency of the year in 2021. In his career that has taken him from Atlanta to Jacksonville and now Sacramento, Henry has shown he knows how to create a transit system that lifts his entire community up and provides opportunities for all. When he bought new light rail cars for his system, they were built at the Siemens plant in Sacramento, giving his region better transit and an economic boost. While SacRT is still bouncing back from the pandemic, his microtransit solution continues to be successful and filling gaps in his 100 square mile service area. Listen to this conversation and learn about the microtransit solution, light rail, and the new payment systems Henry has brought to his agency. Learn more about SacRT on their website . Next week on Transit Unplugged News and View, April Rei, CEO of COMTO will be joining Paul talking about the work she does supporting minorities in transit leadership. Don't forget to subscribe to the newsletter to get all the latest about Transit Unplugged. If you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us at info@transitunplugged.com.
S5 E40 · Wed, July 27, 2022
Alva Carrasco and Herold Humphrey -- Latinos In Transit
Alva Carrasco and Herold Humphrey are on a mission. A mission to increase the visibility, opportunities, and voice of Latinos in public transit. And not just when talking about issues, but more importantly in leadership positions to help the communities they serve. Alva and Herold talk with Paul about the origins of Latinos In Transit from a casual group of people working in the same industry to an organized force to encourage and support Latinos in their careers. From advocacy and mentorship to scholarships and networking, Alva Carrasco, President, and Herold Humphrey, Vice President, have a vision to ensure Latinos have a seat at the decision-making table, the boardroom, and C-suite. Listen to their story on this episode of Transit Unplugged News and Views. Also on the show: Paul covers the transit news of the week Elea Carey talks about back to school messaging Mike Bismeyer on fostering the next generation of leaders Paul talks about the Transit Center report on the four things needed to help solve the bus operator crisis . Next week we have Henry Li, CEO of the Sacramento Regional Transit District on the show. It's not too late to nominate Transit Unplugged at the Podcast Awards in the Government and Organizations category. Nominations close July 30! If have a question, comment, or be a guest on Transit Unplugged email us at info@transitunplugged.com.
S5 E39 · Wed, July 20, 2022
Matt Tucker North County Transit District
Matt Tucker, Executive Director and CEO of the North County Transit District covers a huge geographic area north of San Diego. From buses to rail to a new hybrid light rail, Matt has served his region for over a decade with big plans for the future. Matt and Paul talk about all the different transportation modes, Matt's plans for going green with battery electric and hydrogen, and hints at his plans for the future of the agency. One of the longest-serving CEOs in public transit, Matt has a unique perspective on public transit from work on both coasts with projects large and small. In his 14 years as Executive Director and CEO of North County Transit District, Matt has perspective about the past, current, and future challenges for public transit in his region and beyond. Next week Paul is chatting with April Rei, CEO of COMTO, one of two great conversations coming from the recent COMTO Conference.
S5 E38 · Wed, July 13, 2022
Wiebe Wakker Sustainable Adventurer from Plug Me In
This week Paul talks with Wiebe Wakker, sustainable adventurer about his three-year trip from the Netherlands to Australia in an EV--with no money--and then how he traveled from the Netherlands to Dubai (most) on public transport to give a keynote speech at UITP MENA earlier this year. It's a fascinating story of someone who admits wasn't really into sustainability when he started but has now become a champion for it. Learn more about Wiebe on: His Plug Me In website Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Also on the show the latest public transit news, Elea Carey's Messaging Minute, Mike's Minute with Mike Bismeyer, and Paul's look at the future of transit. Next week on the show we have Matt Tucker, Executive Director and CEO of the North County Transit District talking about his multi-modal system and how they are adapting to changing ridership. If you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged email us at info@transitunplugged.com. Plus...please take a moment to nominate us in the Government and Organizations category in the Podcast Awards . Nominating us not only gets us to the voting round, but also factors into who wins the award!
S5 E37 · Wed, July 06, 2022
Charlotte Shaw Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority
Charlotte Shaw, CEO of Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority, has deep experience in getting things done. From project and program management to capital planning, Charlotte is the person who makes a transit vision a reality. After years at MARTA, she came to Birmingham to manage building a bus rapid transit (BRT) for the city before it would be handed over to BJCTA. But as she tells Paul, the transit authority thought she'd be just the right person to bring BJCTA into a new era of transit. Listen to Charlotte tell Paul how she got into transit and her vision for creating a transit system that does more than just get people places. Next week on Transit Unplugged News and Views, Paul is talking with Wiebe Wakker who drove an electric car from the Netherlands to New Zealand to show how efficient and reliable EVs are. It's podcast award season! Please help Transit Unplugged win a People's Choice podcast award by nominating us in the "Government and Organizations" category. Visit PodcastAwards.com to nominate us to make it to the voting round . Don't forget to sign up for our newsletter on the website and if you'd like to ask a question or be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us at info@transitunplugged.com.
S5 E36 · Wed, June 29, 2022
Sam Morrissey -- Urban Movement Labs
This week Paul talks with Sam Morrissey from Urban Movement Labs in LA about their mandate to help the city navigate the changing face of transportation. When scooters came to the city, there were issues with where to ride them--not on the sidewalks, but maybe not the road either--and how to return them. As new transportation technologies emerge, Urban Movement Labs serves as a trusted partner working with the city and private companies to deploy new technologies the right way. Also on the show: Transit industry news Elea Carey's Messaging Minute on keeping your agency messaging fresh Mike's Minute with Mike Bismeyer on what it means to be a leader and mentor with insights from Paul Paul's Future of Transit segment on his new role at Modaxo and his new book coming out later this year Next week on the show we have Charlotte Shaw, CEO of the Birmingham - Jefferson County Transit Authority as our guest on Transit Unplugged In Depth. Don't forget to sign up for the Transit Unplugged newsletter on the website to always be in the know about what's happening with the show. If you have a question, comment, or you'd like to be a guest on the show, email info@transitunplugged.com.
S5 E35 · Wed, June 22, 2022
Sam Snead -- Anne Arundel County Department of Transportation
Sam Snead is looking towards the future of transportation in Anne Arundel County, MD. From solar-lit bus stops to websites to full system maps, Sam sees up-to-date technology as crucial to success in his region. Paul talks with Sam about his career journey and then gets into Sam's ambitious Move Anne Arundel transit master plan looking forward to create sustainable, accessible, and green transit solutions for the county. Creating a robust transit system in smaller and more spread-out areas is always a challenge, but Sam's plans to tap into local, regional, and micro transit solutions have created a solid foundation for his county to build on. Don't forget to subscribe to the Transit Unplugged newsletter to be first to know about new shows and announcements about the podcast and TUTV! If you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us at info@transitunplugged.com
S5 E34 · Wed, June 15, 2022
Tom Wright -- Regional Plan Association
This week on Transit Unplugged News & Views, Paul is talking with Tom Wright of the Regional Plan Association (RPA) about planning for the future in the New York Metropolitan area (New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut). Over its 100 year history, RPA has put a stake in the ground for what needs to be done to build and sustain the region. As Tom says, all of their recommendations are implemented--eventually. Tom talks about the RPA vision for what's needed in the region to grow in the post-pandemic era and how cities, states, and the U.S. federal government need to look at and coordinate their efforts. The region is already behind the eight ball to catch up, it will take a lot of work to put things on track. Also on this week's show: Transit news of the week including news about frequent guests Mark Wilde and Julie Timm Elea Carey on communicating planning and change Mike Bismeyer wants to hear your leadership stories If you want to stay in touch make sure you sign up for email updates on the website. If you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us at info@transitunplugged.com
S5 E33 · Wed, June 08, 2022
Melinda Metzger -- Pace Suburban Bus
Melinda Metzger is the first female Executive Director for Pace Suburban Bus, one of the largest bus and paratransit systems in the United States covering 3,500 square miles and serving 272 communities. On this week's Transit Unplugged In Depth, Melinda and Paul talk about how the great resignation has impacted public transit and how local partnerships are combating those effects. To get more bus operators at Pace, they are covering the cost of tuition at a local community college to help people get their Commercial Drivers License (CDL) and be ready to start training at Pace to become full bus operators. Get a glimpse of what the future of electrification looks like in the Chicago area as Pace gears up to reach zero emissions by 2040. You'll also hear about a brand new Pace bus facility opened by Secretary Buttigieg, and what our next generation of riders is prioritizing in their daily commutes. Catch us next week to hear Tom Wright, president and CEO of RPA regional planning association. RPA focuses on improving the prosperity, sustainability, and livability of people in the New York Metropolitan Area. If you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us at info@transitunplugged.com.
S5 E32 · Wed, June 01, 2022
Jen Shepherd -- GM Uber Transit
Jen Shepherd is passionate about public transit. As GM of Uber Transit she is responsible for helping agencies move more people, more flexibly, and more cost-effectively. In her chat with Paul, Jen talks about how Uber provides agencies tools to balance demand and resources with on-demand capacity when it wouldn't make sense to have an agency-owned vehicle on the route. One of the most exciting ways Uber is helping transit agencies is adding flexible paratransit capacity with the recently announced partnership with Trapeze , integrating Trapeze TripBroker with Uber Transit. Listen to the whole episode to hear how it works for riders and agencies. Also in this episode: Transit news of the week including the new interim CEO at Cap Metro Elea Carey on crisis communications Mike Bismeyer on leadership and leading through the pandemic Next week Melinda Metzger Executive Director of PACE Suburban Bus joins Paul for Transit Unplugged In-Depth. If you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us at info@transitunplugged.com.
S5 E31 · Wed, May 25, 2022
Wayne Rogers -- Northeast Maglev
Northeast Maglev has a vision for bringing fast--really, really fast--rail service to the Northeast Corridor (Boston to Washington D.C.). This week Paul talks with Wayne Rogers, Chairman and CEO of the Baltimore Washington Rapid Rail, LLC, and Northeast Maglev, LLC, about his vision for what maglev trains could do for the region. Faster than steel wheel-based trains, maglev trains use superconducting magnets to propel trains along at up to 311 miles an hour. Already running in Japan, where the service is wildly successful, bringing this level of train service would mean being able to get from New York City to Washington D.C. in an hour. Many of the trips people take today by car or plane could be eliminated if the Northeast Corridor gets maglev up and running. Maglev would reduce congestion, pollution, and pressure on the highway system as the region grows. The U.S. has been looking at maglev rail for decades and Northeast Maglev started working on this project ten years ago. The environmental reviews are almost complete and they are looking to get the project up and running soon. In the episode, you'll hear about the project, the technology, and what we've learned from the successful maglev train in Japan. Next week on Transit Unplugged News and Views, we'll have Jen Shepard, GM of Uber Transit on the show talking about microtransit and paratransit options. If you have a comment, question, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us at info@transitunplugged.com.
S5 E30 · Wed, May 18, 2022
Christiaan Blake, Managing Dir, Dept of Access Services, WMATA
Christiaan Blake is responsible for the business of offering paratransit services that balance accommodation and sustainability. Christiaan needs to serve the most people he can with paratransit, while also creating accessible fixed-route transit that is open to all. One of the tricks up Christiaan's sleeve is his innovative rider's choice program where, if paratransit riders opt into using a taxi or service like Uber for their ride, their ride could be randomly chosen to be free. Armed with an array of spreadsheets, Christiaan has gone to great pains to make sure the process is fair and random, This has proven to be very popular--so popular people clamor for more free rides--and lets Christiaan accommodate last-minute trips, staying longer, or leaving earlier than planned. This is a big job and Christiaan takes his role and place in transit seriously. He sees paratransit as a crucial safety net for people who can't be served with even WMATA's accessible fixed-route and subway system. Also on the show, we have the latest transit news, Elea Carey talks about sharing employee stories and Mike Bismeyer challenges us to do something good in the cities we visit while traveling for work. All this on this week's Transit Unplugged News and Views. Sit back and listen in.
S5 E29 · Wed, May 11, 2022
Eulois Cleckley Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works
This week Paul is talking with Eulois Cleckley, Director and CEO of the Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works. Eulois manages everything from buses, trains, microtransit, and even exploring urban air mobility--yes, flying cars--along with all the roads and bridges in his county. Eulois is undertaking a massive update of the county's 3000 intersections with smart signaling technology to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion in one of the nation's most car-centric areas. And this also happens to be our 200th episode of Transit Uplugged! Here's to another 200! Next week on Transit Unplugged News and Views, Christiaan Blake of WMATA talks about access to transit and mobility. If you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us anytime at info@transitunplugged.com.
S5 E28 · Wed, May 04, 2022
Luc Richard RTC Quebec City
In our 199th episode, Paul talks with Luc Richard, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of Réseau de transport de la Capitale , in Quebec City, Quebec. Quebec City is one of the oldest cities in North America and one of the snowiest too. RTC delivers bus service year-round with winter weather that would shut down many transit systems. Now looking ahead to creating a more inclusive transit system, RTC created its own electric-assist bike-share service and zone-based microtransit solution for the suburban parts of the city. RTC is also working on electrified tram, light-rail system for the city on one of the busiest corridors where keeping buses on time is a huge challenge. On the horizon is their conversion to zero emissions buses (ZEB), which given the winters in Quebec will present some unique challenges. Next week on our 200th episode, Paul is chatting with Eulois Checkley Director and CEO of the Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works. South Florida has some of the most interesting and innovative transit programs from planning to implementation. This is an episode you won't want to miss. If you have questions, comments, or would like to be on Transit Unplugged, email us at info@transitunplugged.com.
S5 E27 · Wed, April 27, 2022
Steve Poftak - MBTA
Steve Poftak is leading the MBTA during unprecedented times. Three years into the job he's managed through a pandemic and invested billions into revamping bus and rail service across the system. The T--North America's oldest subway--is growing and adapting to new rider patterns and on the commuter rail side, he's made changes to make the largest commuter rail system in America a regional rail system people can use throughout the day to get into and out of the city. Listen to Paul and Steve talk about the past and future of the MBTA on this week's Transit Unplugged In-depth. Next week on Transit Unplugged News and Views Paul chats with Luc Ricard of RTC in Quebec City about his system in Quebec's provincial capital. If you have questions, comments, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us at info@transitunplugged.com
S5 E26 · Wed, April 20, 2022
Rich Sampson, Southwest Transit Association
Frequent guest Rich Sampson, Executive Director of the Southwest Transit Association , sat with Paul to give him the latest updates from D.C. on transit funding. With fiscal year 2022 appropriations set, agencies now know about their new formula fund amounts and new funding grants available to them. Elea Carey talks about how to include the leaders in your communities in your transit marketing plans. Mike Bismeyer takes a moment to thank the people who put themselves in harm's way to keep transit safe. Next week we have Steve Poftak of MBTA on the show and talks with Paul from the recent Smart Transit conference. If you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us any time at info@transitunplugged.com.
S5 E25 · Wed, April 13, 2022
Adelee Le Grand. CEO HART
Adelee Le Grand is a long-time transit rider. Growing up in New York, Adelee says taking transit was like brushing your teeth and toothpaste--you just did it, it's always there. Transit was how you got places and experienced things. Like Terry White , and more than a few of our guests, Adelee has spent her entire career associated with transit and moving people. You can hear Adelee's passion for transit in her descriptions of her life in New York and contrasting that with cities like Atlanta or Tampa. When the funding for transit isn't there, people just don't have the same access to opportunities she did growing up. Many of our guests talk about the ins and outs of transit, routes, planning, frequency, but Adelee also talks about why are the buses people ride still built and designed like it's the 1980s? Or why do agencies wrap buses in advertisements for revenue and what does that say about your own branding? Her creative, collaborative spirit building HART , an agency that's had several CEOs in the past few years, speaks volumes about her and, as she says, her calling to work in transit. Next week on Transit Unplugged News and Views, Paul is chatting with frequent guest Rich Sampson of SWTA. If you have questions, comments, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us at info@transitunplugged.com.
S5 E24 · Wed, April 06, 2022
Sara Stickler, CEO WTS International
Sara Stickler, CEO of WTS International , chats with Paul on International Women's Day about her work supporting and creating opportunities for women in transit. Founded in the 1970s as a group providing seminars and training--since women were discouraged from joining "associations"--WTS International strives to increase opportunities for women in the transit industry. Many of the women leaders on this show--Leslie Richards, Nadine Lee, Inez Evans, and Nuria Fernandez--have all participated in WTS International over the years. Paul and Sara talk about WTS, getting involved with chapters, their scholarship program, and the future plans for the organization. Also on this week's show, Paul talks about new funding from the U.S. Federal government, a hot transit company listing on the NASDAQ, and reflects on the recent ThinkTransit conference. We also hear from Elea Carey and Mike Bismeyer on communications and kindness. Next week Adelee LeGrand of HART in Tampa talks about her career and her agency on Transit Unplugged In-Depth. If you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us at info@transitunplugged.com.
S5 E23 · Wed, March 30, 2022
Darren Kettle, CEO Metrolink
This week Paul talks with Darren Kettle, CEO of Metrolink in Southern California. Not long in the job at Metrolink, Darren is a long-time transit veteran coming from Ventura County Transportation Commission and is looking forward to building and improving a critical piece of California's public transit system. Metrolink will be a key part of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, connecting many of the venues together. In the meantime, buoyed by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Darren is investing in his system. He's expanding and improving and doing critical work to maintain Metrolink for years to come. Darren told Paul--and this is a Transit Unplugged exclusive--that Metrolink is 100% fossil-fuel-free for its diesel vehicles. From non-revenue to the locomotives themselves, Metrolink runs entirely on bio-diesel. This is just one step in California's ambitious climate plan to reduce carbon emissions and get to zero emissions before other parts of the U.S. Correction and update: Next week on Transit Unplugged News and Views we'll have Sara Stickler, CEO of WTS International on the show. If you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, feel free to email us at info@transitunplugged.com.
S5 E22 · Wed, March 23, 2022
Patrick Goddard -- Brightline Trains
This week on Transit Unplugged News and Views Paul talks with Patrick Goddard, President of Brightline Trains about high-speed rail in Florida. Brightline Trains is the only privately-held high-speed rail service in the U.S. and serves as a vital connection between South and Central and beyond. Brightline serves the niche getting people to places that are too far to drive, but too short to fly. The end goal is to make people less car-dependent; move people from their cars to something faster and more convenient. Brightline even has a door-to-door service that will get you from home to destination and back, letting you just leave your car at home. We also hear from Elea Carey and Mike Bismeyer bringing your dose of communications and leadership insights. If you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us at info@transitunplugged.com
S5 E21 · Wed, March 16, 2022
Mohammed Salim Al Ghafri -- COO Mwasalat, Oman
Continuing the series of interviews from the UITP MENA Congress and Expo earlier this year, Paul speaks with Mohammed Salim Al Ghafri, COO of Mwasalat in the Sultanate of Oman on how he's creating a transit culture in a country where private cars are cheap and affordable. One of the newer transit agencies in the world, Mwasalat manages the bus and ferry service connecting the major cities in Oman to each other and neighboring countries like the UAE. It's been an uphill battle to get people to switch from the convenience of private cars to public transit, but with satisfaction and on-time performance both above 90%, they are clearly doing something right! Next week on Transit Unplugged News and Views, Patrick Goddard of Brightline Trains talks with Paul about connecting cities too close to fly, but too far to drive to across Florida and California. If you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, feel free to email us anytime at info@transitunplugged.com
S5 E20 · Wed, March 09, 2022
Noormah Noor Express Rail Link
Noormah Noor, CEO of Express Rail Link in Malaysia has accomplished something that very few people have done--create an award-winning, world-class, and economically viable high-speed rail service. ERL runs between Kuala Lumpur and the airport connecting downtown for travelers and everyday commuters. Her service offers nonstop service, including airport check-in , from downtown to the airport. And if you'd like a white glove experience, their VIP service brings you door to door including handling your luggage. Noormah focused her energy not just on running a great service, but also running a viable service as well. Working as part of a government contract ERL designed, built, maintains, and operates the system. ERL was able to weather the Asian financial crisis by making sure she built a system based on sound business principles. And it's paid off. Winning award after award, ERL is an example for the world for how to operate high speed rail effectively. This week we also hear from Elea Carey and Mike Bismeyer with their regular segments. If have questions, comments, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us at info@transitunplugged.com. And make sure you join the Transit Unplugged crew at ThinkTransit in Forth Worth, March 20-23.
S5 E19 · Wed, March 02, 2022
Terry White Interview Ripple Effect
Terry White, General Manager of King County Metro , is a life-long public transit rider in his hometown of Seattle, Washington. He relied on transit to get him to school and work, buoyed by his mother her stack of timetables. If it wasn't for public transit, Terry wouldn't be where he is today. The experience of relying on transit and growing up on the system--including turning the signs on the bus--instilled a life-long passion for transit and a clear career path (although he never did become a bus operator). Terry and Paul talk about his career journey and his vision for equitable transit that lifts up entire communities. He believes when you lift up and support those who rely on transit the most, everyone benefits. From his strong roots in social justice to his vision for new technology enabling transit, Terry has big plans for King County Metro. Terry is also the keynote speaker on the first day of the ThinkTransit conference, and we get a small taste of what he'll be talking about in his keynote later in March. If you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us anytime at info@transitunplugged.com.
S5 E18 · Wed, February 23, 2022
Alexander Pazuchanics and reports from UITP MENA
Paul was at the UITP Middle East North Africa Conference and Expo in Dubai, UAE recently and this is the first of several interviews from his trip. The first is with Alexander Pazuchanics, Head of Policy & Partnerships at Vianova I/O. Alexander and Paul talk about something we don't hear much about these days, ever really--managing curb space. Not just for parking, but travel and making the best use of this public space throughout the day. We also hear from Elea Carey and Mike Bismeyer this week with communications and kindness. Finally, Paul gives us a rundown of where he'll be speaking and visiting this Spring. All this on this week's Transit Unplugged News & Views. If you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us at info@transitunplugged.com.
S5 E17 · Wed, February 16, 2022
Legacy Leaders Part 2: Paul Toliver, Peter Varga, Grace Crunican, and Mike Scanlon
Here's part two of our Legacy Leaders Series ( listen to part 1 ) where Paul taps into decades of leadership, perspective, and insight from some of the foremost leaders in the public transit industry. In this episode we hear from: Paul Toliver Grace Crunican Peter Varga Mike Scanlon The advice in this episode is second to none and everyone, no matter your role, can take something away from this to do their jobs better. Next week we bring the first in a series of interviews Paul recorded while at the UITP MENA Conference and Expo in Dubai. If you have questions, comments, or want to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us at info@transitunplugged.com.
S5 E16 · Wed, February 09, 2022
Billy Terry On Delivering Training for Better Transit
Have you ever wondered how people get training on running a public transit agency? Public transit is a very complex business/service to run, so how do you learn everything you need to know? The answer is the National Transit Institute at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. Paul talks with Executive Director Billy Terry about NTI and everything it does. Like having to switch from 98% in-person classes taught around the U.S. to 100% virtual classes taught remotely. We also hear from Elea Carey on how to get your message out quickly and Mike Bismeyer on conferences as essential parts of staying current in your field. We wrap this episode with Tris, Paul, and Randi talking about the upcoming Executive Summit at ThinkTransit this March 20-23. See the detailed show notes on TransitUnplugged.com for links to news mentioned in the show, a full transcript, and more about ThinkTransit. If you have questions, comments, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us at info@transitunplugged.com.
S5 E15 · Wed, February 02, 2022
Legacy Leaders Part 1: Paul Toliver, Fred Gilliam, Robert Prince, Rod Diridon
This is the first of two special episodes where Paul chats with some of the leading figures in public transit. These are the people who built the foundations and set the standards for how public transit is done. Their perspectives are absolutely not to be missed. On part one of the series are: Paul Toliver Fred Gilliam Robert Prince Rod Diridon See the full show notes on TransitUnplugged.com for their links and contact information. Next week on Transit Unplugged News & Views we have Bill Terry, Executive Director of the National Transit Institute at Rutgers and the following week we have part two of the Legacy Leaders series with Peter Varga, Grace Crunican, Mike Scanlon, and Paul Toliver
S5 E14 · Wed, January 26, 2022
Karen Philbrick Researching the Future of Public Transit at the Mineta Institute
In the public transit industry, we are all standing on the shoulders of giants. People who set the stage for the progress we're making now. The next several episodes on Transit Unplugged epitomize this fact looking back powering our way forward. This week Paul talks with Karen Philbrick, Executive Director of the Mineta Transportation Institute . Named for Secretary Norman Mineta, the Institute conducts and supports research on a wide range of public transportation topics and issues. In their interview, Karen and Paul talk about some of the hot trends and big challenges facing the industry now. We get an insider's look into some of the most forward-thinking work in public transit today. We also hear from Elea Carey on prepping your leaders for interviews and Mike Bismeyer on finding and tapping the next generation of transit leaders. Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged is the first of two Legacy Leaders episodes. Next week we have Rod Diridon, Paul Toliver, Fred Gilliam, and Robert Prince on the show. If you have a question, comment, or like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, feel free to email us anytime info@transitunplugged.com .
S5 E13 · Fri, January 21, 2022
In Memoriam: Jeffrey Parker
On today's special edition of Transit Unplugged. We want it to honor the memory of Jeff Parker, CEO of MARTA in Atlanta, after his recent tragic death. He was a strong leader for his city and our industry, and will be sorely missed. Original show notes from February, 2020: “While we have to think about the future, we also have to think about the here and now and making sure that we’re improving the customer experience.” Atlanta and the surrounding area is the third fastest-growing region in the U.S. That means more people and more traffic, so public transit is essential to help boost the economic vitality and development of the region along with reducing congestion. Jeffrey Parker, GM and CEO of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), joins Transit Unplugged to talk about the present and future for the agency. Parker discusses the importance of MARTA becoming a more customer-centric organization – improving the reliability of the bus service, implementing new bus stops, and renovating rail stations are just part of this larger picture. Additionally, he highlights MARTA’s plans for new bus rapid transit and light rail services, and how it is essential to still focus on state of good repair while expanding service. If you want to know more about MARTA, check out their website . If you are having thoughts of suicide, there are people to listen and help. Here are just a few of the resources in the U.S. and Canada you can reach out to. Call a friend, send a text, send a message, but whatever you do, just reach out. You're not alone. There are people out there ready to help you. Canada Suicide Prevention Service, part of Crisis Services Canada. If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, the Canada Suicide Prevention Service is available 24/7 for voice and 4pm to 12am ET for text. Call 1-833-456-4566 for help in English. In Quebec call 1-866-277-3553. Or text 45645. U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline NATIONAL: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else. To speak with a certified listener, call 1-800-273-8255. TEXT: Crisis Text Line is a texting service for emotional crisis support. To speak with a trained listener, text HELLO to 741741. It is free, available 24/7, and confidential.
S5 E12 · Wed, January 19, 2022
Laura Koprowski Reinvigorating TARTA's Role in the Community
This week Paul catches up with Laura Koprowski, CEO of Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority ( TARTA ) and they talk about Laura's plan to revitalize TARTA with a new leadership team, new branding, and a new focus on customer experience. Laura and Paul also talk about the successful ballot measures that will help TARTA expand service and have a stable financial future. Next week, Paul interviews Karen Philbrick of the Mineta Institute with her views on public transit. If you have questions, comments, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us at info@transitunplugged.com.
S5 E11 · Wed, January 12, 2022
Mass Transit 40 Under 40 Looking Ahead to a Bright Transit Future
This week we have a special double interview episode on Transit Unplugged News and Views . Paul, and special guest Mischa Wanek-Libman Executive Editor of Mass Transit Magazine , speak with two of Mass Transit's 40 Under 40 honorees. We start the show with Shofi Ull Azum, MBA , Operational Innovations and Performance Manager, Kansas City Area Transportation Authority ( KCATA ), followed by Brittney M. Farr, Esq. , Director of Government Relations, Denton County Transportation Authority ( DCTA ). These two rising stars talk about their career progression, their roles, and their views on the future of transit. Between each interview, Elea Carey and Mike Bismeyer continue themes from the interviews to talk about employee recognition and mentorship. Next week Paul interviews Laura Koprowski, CEO of the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority ( TARTA ) in our second Transit Unplugged episode of the year. If you have questions, comments, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us at info@transitunplugged.com.
S5 E10 · Wed, January 05, 2022
Kevin Quinn focusing on the fundamentals and network expansion at TransLink
This week Paul chats with Kevin Quinn, CEO of TransLink in Vancouver, BC. Kevin succeeded Paul as CEO of MTA Baltimore and now is the head of a multi-city transit network in one of the most beautiful parts of the world. Kevin talks about managing North America's largest autonomous subway systems (SkyTrain), the major expansion projects underway, and life in Vancouver. Next week on Transit Unplugged Paul interviews two of Mass Transit Magazine' s 40 Under 40 with Mass Transit Magazine's Executive Editor Mischa Wanek-Libman. Don't forget the first episode of Transit Unplugged TV premiers Friday, January 14th! Subscribe to our Transit Unplugged TV YouTube channel now so you'll know exactly when it appears! If you have questions, comments, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us any time at info@transitunplugged.com
S5 E9 · Wed, December 29, 2021
What will public transit look like in 2022?
It's the end of the year and the last episode of Transit Unplugged for 2021. This is a really special episode with Paul Comfort convening a panel with our producer Tris Hussey, regular contributors Elea Carey and Mike Bismeyer, and a special guest Mike Dukart, Dir. of Sales at TripSpark. On the show, we talk about what are going to be the hottest trends in 2022, and a little look back at the past year. We hope you enjoy it. Next week (and next year), we'll have Kevin Quinn the new CEO at TransLink in Vancouver, BC, Canada on the show. If you have comments, questions, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Until next week, we hope you've had a wonderful holiday and have a happy New Year.
S5 E8 · Wed, December 22, 2021
Best of Transit Unplugged In Depth for 2021
Welcome to our second special episode of Transit Unplugged, the Best of Transit Unplugged In-Depth. In this episode, you'll hear excerpts from five of the best interviews this year. You'll hear ... Anne Graham, National Transport Authority, Ireland ( full episode ) Ahmed Bahrozyan, Road and Transport Authority, Dubai, UAE ( full episode ) Leslie Richards, SEPTA ( full episode ) Nat Ford, Jacksonville Transport Authority ( full episode ) Jeremy Yap, Land Transport Authority, Singapore ( full episode ) Next week we'll have a special end-of-year panel looking ahead to the biggest trends in public transit for 2022. If you have comments, questions, or would like to be a guest email anytime at info@transitunplugged.com.
S5 E7 · Wed, December 15, 2021
Special Transit Technology Episode: Cybersecurity and transit tech in 2022
Kicking off a trio of special episodes on Transit Unplugged is a transit tech episode with guest host Tris Hussey. Tris interviews Daniel Saddy, Director of (IT) Architecture at Trapeze about cyber and computer security at transit agencies with real, concrete advice on how agencies can help protect themselves. Then we have a special technology expert panel with Sebastian Vaitus, VP of Innovation at Vontas, Priyanka Palacholla, Sr. Director of New Product Initiatives at Vontas, Tyler Dvorak, Product Director Mobility Planning at Trapeze, and Sabrina Blais, Product Manager for Safety at Trapeze talking about what they think will be the hottest transit tech trends next year. Next week we'll have a special Best of 2021 episode and the last episode of the year will be a special panel looking at the future of transit joining Paul and Tris. If you have questions, comments, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us anytime at info@transitunplugged.com.
S5 E6 · Wed, December 08, 2021
Innovation, growth, and expansion in Singapore with Lee Ling Wee
Paul returns to the island nation of Singapore to chat with Mr. Lee Ling Wee, Deputy Group CEO and President, International, SMRT Corporation. Like his earlier interview with Jeremy Yap earlier this year, the conversation focuses on how Singapore and SMRT are innovating and pushing towards a low/no emissions future. Paul sets the stage for the interview with Trapeze General Manager for the ASEAN region Frank Hesse. Frank makes his home in Kuala Lumpur and offers great context into public transit in the entire Southeast Asian region. Next week on Transit Unplugged, we'll have a special transit technology episode with a look at cybersecurity and a panel of experts on what the tech trends will be in 2022. If you have questions, comments, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us any time at info@transitunplugged.com.
S5 E5 · Wed, December 01, 2021
On Demand Microtransit taking off in Sarasota, Florida
In our final episode from APTA EXPO 2021, Paul chats with Jane Grogg, Director of Sarasota County Area Transit . If there was one singular thing that is the hallmark of the post-COVID transit world, it's on-demand microtransit. Jane Grogg replaced fixed routes that had lower ridership and replaced them with on-demand microtransit. And it's been a smashing success! Typically these low ridership fixed routes also tend to have big headways (30 minutes or more between buses), which means people aren't really excited about taking transit when almost anything else would be faster. But replace that fixed route with flexible and adaptable on-demand and people see how convenient it is to leave their car at home and take transit. Listen to this super interview with Jane, plus Elea Carey and Mike Bismeyer give us their insights this week. To wrap the show, Paul gives you a peek behind the curtain at what we have coming up over the next three months. If you have comments, questions, or would like to be a guest on the show, email us anytime at info@transitunplugged.com
S5 E4 · Wed, November 24, 2021
Transit Leaders Panel: 5 of the most powerful women in transit today
Update: An audio issue kept one of the panelists from being heard. We've pushed out an updated audio track. In the second of three APTA EXPO special episodes, this week it's the highlight of the week--the special panel of the 5 top women leading transit today. Nadine Lee (CEO, Dallas DART ), Leslie Richards (CEO, SEPTA ), Lauren Skiver (CEO, SunLine Transit ), MJ Maynard (CEO, RTC SNV ), and Bacarra Sanderson Mauldin (Chief of Staff, MATA Transit ) shared the stage and talked about their visions of transit, life as a leader, and career advice for anyone who aspires to step into their shoes. The audience around the Trapeze-Vontas booth was in rapt attention for the entire panel, and now you can too. This episode will also air as the third episode of Transit Unplugged TV in 2022.
S5 E3 · Wed, November 17, 2021
Live from APTA EXPO 2021: It's electric with Chris Harris and Lauren Cochran Scoville
Paul and Tris were at APTA EXPO 2021 in Orlando, FL last week and recorded several interviews while they were there. From "Get to Know the GM" with the heads of Vontas and Trapeze Group and interviews with transit leaders to our amazing panel of amazing women leading transit agencies in the U.S., Paul and Tris covered a lot of ground in a few days. This week we highlight two of the interviews from those three days. First up is Chris Harris, Associate Director of Transportation at Auburn University in Alabama talking with Paul about running a transit system for students at the university. That interview is followed by Tris interviewing Lauren Cochran Scoville, VP of Sales at Proterra , and what agencies need to know before going green with low and no emissions vehicles. Next week on Transit Unplugged In-Depth we'll have segments from the Women Leaders in Transit Panel recorded live at the Trapeze-Vontas booth. Visit the full post for complete show notes and a transcript , with links to our new social media profiles on TransitUnplugged.com.
S5 E2 · Wed, November 10, 2021
Bringing public transit to a transit desert in the desert--MJ Maynard and RTC of Southern Nevada
This week's episode comes to you from Las Vegas, Nevada when Paul visited RTC of Southern Nevada CEO MJ Maynard and her team. These segments are excerpted from the upcoming Transit Unplugged TV episode--the first episode for Transit Unplugged TV. Also in this episode are Deputy CEOs Francis Julien and David Swallow as well as Antonette Braddock who talks about RTC's new mobile app for their network. At RTC MJ Maynard and her team are doing great things for their community. They used COVID relief funds to bring service to a public transit desert in the desert with on-demand microtransit, kept essential runs and operators running during the pandemic, and continued their pilot/program with an autonomous vehicle shuttle from downtown to the medical center. MJ Maynard was also a part of the women leaders in transit panel just held at APTA EXPO 2021 (and a future episode of Transit Unplugged In-Depth and Transit Unplugged TV). If you have questions, comments, or want to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us any time at info@transitunplugged.com.
S5 E1 · Wed, November 03, 2021
The three big transit trends, making kindness cool, and more APTA EXPO 2021 events
Welcome to season 5! Kicking off Season 5, Episode 1 we have a chat with Roger Helmy, Director of Product Management at Modaxo. Then Paul talks with regular contributor Mike Bismeyer about his Kindness is Cool campaign. We hear from Elea Carey on how to keep your messaging relevant and top of mind for riders. And finally, Paul and Tris talk about everything going on at APTA EXPO 2021. Paul will be at the Trapeze-Vontas booth (booth 353) talking with GMs Teresa Domingo and Peter Aczel from 11-12:30 on Monday. We'll be taping a live Transit Unplugged segment at the Tripspark booth (booth 769) at 1:30. Tuesday is the big day with the live CEO roundtable at 11:30 then Cocktails with Comfort at 3:00 where we celebrate 4 years of Transit Unplugged and show the Transit Unplugged TV teaser. You can learn more about what's on tap at APTA EXPO 2021 on the Trapeze-Vontas APTA EXPO 2021 event page . Links mentioned in the post: Paul's post on steps to safety Pink Shirt Day If you have questions, feedback, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us any time at info@transitunplugged.com.
S4 E55 · Wed, October 27, 2021
Multi-modal solutions, advanced ticketing, and loyalty programs: Innovation from Africa and the Middle East
This week's show is an edited re-broadcast of the UITP and Trapeze-sponsored Connected Journeys webinar from earlier this summer. Paul leads a discussion with: Abimbola Akinajo, CEO, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO, Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) Djan Fanny, Director of Operations, AMUGA About what they are doing to promote public transit and develop more integrated, connected journeys in their cities. This episode brings home how, around the world, all transit agencies face the same challenges getting people to choose transit over private cars. The innovations the panelists are bringing in--like loyalty card programs and autonomous taxis--are truly innovative tools we all need to take note of. Next week on Transit Unplugged, Paul talks with frequent contributor Mike Bismeyer about his Kindness is Cool campaign and his recent CUTA award. Then Paul will talk with Modaxo's Roger Helmy about innovations in transit and what their vision of the future of transit is. If you have questions, comments, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us any time at info@transitunplugged.com.
S4 E54 · Wed, October 20, 2021
How Autonomous Vehicles Are Fitting into the Bigger Public Transit Landscape
This is a very special Transit Unplugged News and Views. This week we not only hear from Katrina Heineking and W.C. Pihl from Transdev about autonomous vehicles, but Paul reveals all the things going on at APTA EXPO in a few weeks. In the news segment, Paul gives you all the details on what's going on with Transit Unplugged, Transit Unplugged TV, and the other places you can find him at APTA EXPO. If you'd like to stay in the loop about everything that's going on, and get reminders when events are happening, sign up for updates on the Trapeze APTA EXPO microsite . Next, we hear from Katrina and W.C. about everything Transdev is doing with Waymo in the autonomous vehicle space. Finally we hear from Mike about mentorship. Mentorship is one of the most fulfilling things you can do in your career. If you have the chance to do it, take it. If you have questions, comments, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged feel free to email us any time at info@transitunplugged.com . Full transcript for this episode is available on TransitUnplugged.com .
S4 E53 · Wed, October 13, 2021
Nashville's WeGo Public Transit Is Coming Back Strong with New Innovations
Paul travelled to Nashville, TN to talk with Nashville MTA CEO Steve Bland and his leadership team about all the improvements and innovations they've done in the past year. From safety to route planning to stations and stops, there is little that they haven't improved on. Which is, of course, music to our ears. This episode was also filmed for an upcoming episode of Transit Unplugged TV. People you will hear: Steve Bland, Nashville MTA CEO Approaches to COVID Response and Workplace Safety – Nick Oldham Better Bus and Service Restoration Reshuffling – Felix Castrodad and Katie Freudberg Stop Improvement Program and the Nolensville Pike Bike/Transit Corridor – Trey Walker and Lydia Benda Transit Signal Priority and our Emerging Headway Management System in the Charlotte Corridor – Dan Freudberg & Lydia Benda WeGo Link – Dan Freudberg Telling our Story and Getting Riders Back – Renuka Christoph Next week we're getting behind the wheel of micro transit with Waymo and Transdev.
S4 E52 · Wed, October 06, 2021
How transit agencies in New Mexico came together and weathered the pandemic storm
One of the biggest challenges at transit agencies during the pandemic has been making sure there was enough money to stay in operation. In New Mexico, the Department of Transportation took a unique approach that underscores the spirit of cooperation we found throughout the transit industry. They funded the operating expenses for the 21 transit agencies in the state and were able to do that because the three largest agencies in the state agreed to forego their share of federal funding to help the other 18 agencies. David Harris, Director of Transit and Rail Division in the New Mexico Department of Transportation tells Paul how this unique funding plan came together and how his state of 2 million people is connected by bus and rail. Next week we have a special episode from Nashville, Tennesee and hear from not just the head of the agency, but his executive team as well. The interviews from the episode will also air as one of the upcoming Transit Unplugged TV episodes, along with extra behind-the-scenes footage of the agency and the city. If you have a question, feedback, or want to be a guest on the show, you can email us at info@transitunplugged.com . Until next week, ride safe and ride happy.
S4 E51 · Wed, September 29, 2021
Four Inspiring Women Leading the Way in Australia
As a woman in transit and the tech industry, it’s not every day that you get to see female leaders in transit share how they got to where they are today and the hurdles they had to overcome to do so. Transit has traditionally been a male-dominated industry; and years ago, it would’ve been rare to see a female CEO rise up the ranks. It’s inspiring that that’s no longer the case. On today’s episode of Transit Unplugged, we put together more than just an interview with one female transit leader – for the first time ever, we brought together an all-female panel from leaders on transit in the land down under, to talk about their journeys, share career advice, and learn from their inspiring stories. Four years ago, I was one of the individuals behind the scenes that worked with Paul Comfort to create the Transit Unplugged podcast. To witness the evolution of where we started to where we are today encourages me to continue to shoot for the stars and shows me the power of female leadership in such an important industry. That’s why this note might sound a little different than our other show notes. Normally they’re written by our producer, Tris Hussey, but for today’s all-female show, I decided to peek out from behind the curtain and share a few words about what episodes like this, and stories like these, mean to a young female and dare-I-say leader in transit. I hope you enjoy the episode and share it – more people need to hear these stories. Now, I’ll head back behind the scenes! Vicky Abihsira, Director of Integrated Marketing, Trapeze Group This week's guests are: Magda Robertson, General Manager, Torrens Connect Catherine Baxter, COO Metro Trains Samantha Abeydeera, Executive Director Strategic Operations, Transport for New South Wales Michelle Batsas, Executive Director, UITP, Australia and New Zealand who also hosts the Women Who Move Nations podcast Next week on Transit Unplugged News and Views we have David Harris Director of Transport and Rail for the Department of Transportation in New Mexico. If you want to get in touch with the show, be a guest, or have feedback, you can email us at info@transitunplugged.com.
S4 E50 · Wed, September 22, 2021
Going truly zero-emissions in Champaign-Urbana, Karl Gnadt on deploying hydrogen fuel cell buses
More and more agencies are going green and reducing their carbon emissions. There are lots of ways to get there, but one that isn't talked about often is hydrogen fuel cell electric buses. Karl Gnadt of Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District is serious about going zero emissions. And truly zero emissions. In October his agency will open its solar-powered hydrogen generating and fueling complex and deploy its first hydrogen fuel cell electric buses. Making this deployment truly zero emissions. No fossil fuels will be burned to power these buses. A truly fantastic achievement. Paul, of course, has his usual transit industry news update and at the end of the show, he reveals some exciting changes coming to the show. If you have feedback, comments, or like to be on the show, just drop us a line at info@transitunplugged.com.
S4 E49 · Wed, September 15, 2021
Julien Dehornoy of Yarra Trams on the Challenge of Updating an Iconic Tram System
Julien Dehornoy, CEO of Yarra Trams , is responsible for the iconic Melbourne streetcar tram system. This is storied tram system has run continuously since 1884 and is the longest light rail system in the world. Which is a blessing and a curse. Julien wants to modernize the tram system to make it more efficient, more nimble, more accessible, and faster. But that's easier said than done when you're working with legacy systems. In this episode, you'll hear about Julien's vision for the future of the tram system and for public transport as a whole in Melbourne . Next week on Transit Unplugged News and Views we head to Illinois and learn about the hydrogen generating and refueling complex at Champaign Urbana Mass Transit District. Hope you'll tune in. Feedback? Questions? Want to be a guest on the show? Email us at info@transitunplugged.com.
S4 E48 · Wed, September 08, 2021
David Bruffy and Mountain Line Transit Giving People What They're Asking For: More Transit
It's not often you get the results of a customer survey and the results clearly say, "we think you're doing great, can you do more of it please?". But that's what David Bruffy of Mountain Line Transit in Morgantown, West Virginia found when he got feedback from his community. And while his plans for helping his community, including microtransit and helping the unbanked in a universal fare program, are important, just as important is what he does to recharge. David runs Smoke n Mirrors Photography as a side business/passion project that helps him stay grounded and use both sides of his brain. It's important, as Mike Bismeyer will tell you in his Mike's Minute segment, to have those things to connect you with others. Especially now we need to have ways to connect and see the bigger world around us. Speaking of survey's Elea Carey gives some great advice for using open and close-ended questions in surveys. Both types are essential to getting a complete picture of what people are really thinking. Next week on Transit Unplugged In-Depth Julien Dehornoy of Yarra Trams is talking with Paul about light rail. We'd love to hear from you! You can email us at info@transitunplugged.com with comments, questions, or if you'd like to be a guest. Until next week, ride safe and ride happy.
S4 E47 · Wed, September 01, 2021
Josh Baker on Relaunching DASH and Untangling the Spaghetti
Imagine starting your transit career as a driver when you were nineteen and then going on to launch an entirely new transit service for one agency and now at the helm to launch a revamped service for an up-and-coming transit agency. This is what Josh Baker of DASH (Alexandria Transit) has done in his career thus far with more great plans on the way. This is one of those "wow, that's amazing" interviews from a person who has done and tried almost everything there is to do in transit. Josh and Paul also reflect on how traffic patterns have changed in the Washington DC Metro area and how transit needs to--and will--adapt to these changes. Next week we hear from David Bruffy of Mountain Line Transit in West Virginia on what his community says it needs in a transit system and how David is making that a reality.
S4 E46 · Wed, August 25, 2021
What's data got to do with it? To do transit right, everything.
This week on Transit Tech, Tris interviews Tyler Dvorak of Trapeze and Terry Bills of Esri about the how and why of using data at your agency. Combining data sets, especially spatial and demographic data, gives transit agencies tremendous decision making power. Learn why the agencies who most effectively use data to learn about customers and make decisions are also the agencies who are most successful at delivering services to those customers. In her Messaging Minute, Elea Carey talks back to school communications strategies to get kids back on transit. And in Paul's transit industry news, he covers the results of an Imperial College of London study on COVID in transit . Plus more news from around the transit industry.
S4 E45 · Wed, August 18, 2021
Special Panel Discussion: What the U.S. Infrastructure Bill Means for Transit Agencies
This episode of Transit Unplugged In-Depth comes from the SUN Conference in Missoula, Montana. Paul sat down with Scott Bogren of CTAA , Ed Redfern of The Bus Coalition , Rich Sampson of SWATA , and Elea Carey to talk about the massive infrastructure bill that just passed the U.S. Senate. In this very special episode, Paul and the guests dive into why this bill could be a historic, watershed moment for public transit in the U.S. The pandemic opened eyes at all levels of government that public transit isn't just a local issue, it's a national imperative. The ramifications of this five-year investment in transit infrastructure allow transit agencies to create, as Ed Redfern said, "Not your grandma's or parent's transit system anymore."
S4 E44 · Wed, August 11, 2021
John Seber answers the why question
This week on Transit Unplugged News and Views we have two Newsmaker interviews. First Paul chats with John Seber Executive Director of the Central Indiana Regional Transport Authority (CIRTA) and they get into how John is helping the counties he serves work together and provide an integrated intercounty transit network. John also reflects on when he was working with Paul at WMATA and how a college poster sticks with him today. If that wasn't enough, Paul chats with Stewart Mader and Scott Bogren about a new study from CTAA on how transit supported communities during the pandemic and 6 concrete things we should be doing next. For the next several episodes look for Paul's interviews from the Small Urban Network Conference happening now in Montana. If you like what you hear on Transit Unplugged, take a moment leave a rating and review. Ratings and reviews are how people find new shows to listen to, and don't you think more people should be listening to us! And speaking of liking...guess what! We're in the running for another award! Take a moment and give a vote for us on the Podcast Awards .
S4 E43 · Wed, August 04, 2021
Carrie Butler Executive Director of TARC - Optimism and excitement about the future of transit
This week Paul comes to you from the Bluegrass State and historic Louisville, Kentucky. Paul visited Carrie Butler, Executive Director of the Transit Authority of River City (TARC), in-person in her office in the former Union Station from the Louisville-Nashville rail line. You can read more about Paul's visit in his post on the Vontas blog . Carrie started at TARC almost a year ago in the midst of the pandemic, but that challenge only seems to have buoyed her optimism and drive to bring fresh optimism and excitement to the agency. Listen to learn Carrie's plan for the future of TARC and how she's tackling the driver shortage that is dogging agencies across the U.S. and Canada. Next week Paul is chatting with John Seber of Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority on Transit Unplugged News and Views. Paul is attending the upcoming SUN Conference. , so look for some special interviews with transit leaders over the next several weeks. Don't forget to rate and review Transit Unplugged wherever you listen to podcasts. Leaving ratings and reviews helps people find Transit Unplugged.
S4 E42 · Wed, July 28, 2021
Using AI to predict when your bus will arrive, meeting tips from Paul Comfort, and people are coming back to transit
This week on Transit Unplugged News and View we have the first Transit Tech segment. These will be monthly segments where we interview on new innovations in transit technology. This week Tris chats with Dr. Farrokh Mansouri, head of data science at Trapeze, about using machine learning and AI to predict how weather and traffic affect on-time performance. If you're interested in how Trapeze approaches machine learning and AI you might like Farrokh's recent blog post . Paul gives his weekly look into the latest transit news and this week gives us some valuable tips for running more effective meetings in his future of transit segment. Mike Bismeyer reflects on the transit leaders who were willing to take risks and try new technologies. Imagine where we'd be if we never innovated in transit? Next week on Transit Unplugged In-Depth Paul talks with Carrie Butler, head of the Transit Authority of River City (TARC). This is another interview that will energize you and inspire you for what's coming as we emerge from the pandemic.
S4 E41 · Wed, July 21, 2021
Joubert Flores on creating an integrated and supported public transportation system in Brazil
This week we wrap up our mini-tour of Latin America with Paul's conversation with Joubert Flores, Chairman of ANTPTRILHOS in Brazil. Joubert has been an integral part of the transit industry for over 45 years and his insights into where the transportation system in Brazil has been, and where it's going in the future, are essential listening for all transit agencies. To close out this pair of interviews, Paul hosted a roundtable with Paola Realpozo, VP Marketing at Trapeze, and Juan Goritti, Sales Director for Latin America, with their thoughts on the state of public transit in Latin America. Next week on Transit Unplugged News and Views we have the first Transit Tech segment with Dr. Farohk Mansouri, Lead Data Scientist at Trapeze. Dr. Mansouri and Tris talk about what machine learning and AI have in store for the transit industry. Thank you for being a Transit Unplugged listener. You can help support the podcast and help other people find it by leaving a rating and review in your podcast app. If you'd like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged you can email our producer Tris Hussey at tris.hussey@trapezegroup.com . Until next week, ride safe and ride happy.
S4 E40 · Wed, July 14, 2021
Capitalizing on transit's opportunity with Andrew Bata of UITP
This week on the first episode of Transit Unplugged News and Views (what we use to call Comfort's Corner) Paul chats with Andrew Bata of UITP, North America . Paul and Andrew talk about Andrew's former role as Chief Innovator at New York MTA. He and Paul continue with his vision of the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead for transit agencies around the world. Elea Carey continues the thread with how agencies should communicate getting people back to transit. And finally, Paul wraps up the episode with insights into one of the biggest challenges facing agencies right now: recruiting and training drivers for the coming ridership surge. Next week on Transit Unplugged In Depth we continue our Latin American series with Joubert Flores of Brazil's national rail transport association.
S4 E39 · Wed, July 07, 2021
Dimas Barreira Putting Technology and Innovation in the Driver's Seat in Fortaleza, Brazil
The bustling city of Fortaleza could be a model for how operators, transit agencies, and cities can work together to deliver sustainable, technology-enabled public transit. This week Paul chats with Dimas Barreira is the president of SINDIONIBUS, a group of 17 transit operators serving the city of Fortaleza and the surrounding area. What's unique in Fortaleza isn't the close partnership between SINDIONIBUS and the city, but the confederation of independent companies who have come together to agree on how to deliver transit to the 2.7 million people in the region. Together they have invested in technology, like MaaS, bike sharing for transit riders, automated payment systems, and a fully GPS and ITS enabled fleet of over 2000 buses. But technology and working together is the part of the story you see, beneath the surface Dimas is a true transit leader and visionary. He sees, and promotes, the connection between riders, the city government, and the city at large. He has a vision for transit supporting UN Climate and Sustainability goals and ensuring SINDIONIBUS leverages technology to adapt to our changing world. For more show notes and a complete transcript visit TransitUnplugged.com .
S4 E38 · Wed, June 30, 2021
Mark Wild of Crossrail UK getting a massive rail project back on track
What do you do when you're given the reins of one of the biggest rail projects in history that's three years late and well over budget? How do you take something that has gone decidedly off the rails, back on track? For Mark Wild of Crossrail UK, it meant going back to the fundamentals of project management. He focused on grappling with the enormous complexity of the project, correcting things that had gone off course, and building a team that could adapt to uncertainty. No project of this scale goes off without a hitch, and Crossrail is no different. After running The Tube, Mark took on the challenge of completing the project and getting trains into stations. This episode of Transit Unplugged is a great lesson in applying project fundamentals to a project that has gone pear-shaped. Learn more in the show notes: https://www.transitunplugged.com/mark-wild-of-crossrail-uk/
S4 E37 · Wed, June 23, 2021
Comfort's Corner: Is It Time to Call It Regional Rail?
Paul's on vacation this week so our producer Tris Hussey is in the host's chair for this episode. News in this episode: Proterra goes public on the NASDAQ US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg highlights and thanks the transit industry for its work getting people vaccinated . Robert Yu was tapped as President and General Manager for Oahu Transit Services . Vince Pellegrin, COO of Metro Transit retires after 24 years at the agency . We wish him the best on his retirement. The Chicago Transit Authority has ended capacity limits on buses and trains . Because the federal mask mandate is still in effect, they will deploy employee volunteers to help the public understand the rules and what the CTA is doing to keep them safe. Our feature interview is with Stewart Mader of VAX Transit . Beyond spearheading getting transit agencies involved in rolling out vaccines in the U.S., Canada, and U.K., he's been doing a lot of thinkings about the future of transit. After talking about the success of VAX Transit, they move on to discuss the role of commuter rail in our new reality. Stewart, and Paul, both feel a sea change is needed. Commuter rail is better thought of as regional rail that gets people into the city from outlying areas. This is a discussion we need to continue in another episode. Related to masks and health, both Stewart and Elea Carey talk about communicating health and safety, and masks, to the public. Stewart mentions his article in Mass Transit with advice on masks for transit agencies and Elea talks about how to expand the discussion away from masks per se to how transit is a healthy way to travel. Finally in Mike's Minute we get a great piece of advice from his dad that makes the world a little better place. Next week Paul is back in the chair with an in-depth interview with Mark Wild CEO of Crossrail UK . Have a great week and ride safe and ride happy.
S4 E36 · Wed, June 16, 2021
Making Taxis Part of the Transport Solution in Saudi Arabia with Naif Bin Hwail
This week Paul chats with Naif Bin Hwail of Saudi Arabia's Transport General Authority (TGA) on how his agency built a structure to serve millions of people--including the millions visiting Mecca and Medina for the Haj--using bus, rail, and taxis. In his conversation with Paul, Naif Bin Hwail talks about developing bus rapid transit (BRT) in several cities and expanding the rail network to serve the millions of people who come to Saudi Arabia. Unlike many transportation agencies, TGA is also responsible for the vast private taxi network in the country. Their job is to ensure all taxis meet the same high standard of safety, comfort, and reliability. Based on this foundation TGA is well-placed to build an expansive national transit system as part of their vision 2030 plans. Next week, please join us for Comfort's Corner where Paul's guest will be Stewart Mader of VAX Transit. After talking about the herculean efforts to get people to vaccines and vaccines to people, Stewart and Paul talk about commuter rail and the future of masks on transit For a complete transcript of this episode and links to our guests, please visit: https://www.transitunplugged.com/making-taxis-part-of-the-transport-solution-in-saudi-arabia/
S4 E35 · Wed, June 09, 2021
Comfort's Corner: Using data to improve operations and meet the changing needs of riders
This week on Comfort's Corner we have two newsmaker interviews for you. First, we talk with Candace Moore of the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority about how she's used asset management data to improve maintenance in her fleet of nearly 200 vehicles. Then we travel to Saskatoon, SK, and hear an excerpt from Cory Shrigley's ThinkTransit session on how they used real-time ridership data to quickly adapt their service to meet the needs of essential workers during pandemic lockdowns and help health officials target COVID education programs right to the areas that needed it most. These are two great uses of data that highlight how transit agencies can use data they might already have to make real, impactful decisions. We also hear from Elea Carey in her messaging minute on using radio ads to promote your agency. What better way to increase ridership than target drives while stuck in traffic! Finally, Paul shares some exciting news about some improvements we're making to the show starting in July. Listen to the whole episode to learn about the changes. Interested in being a guest on Transit Unplugged? You can email our producer at tris.hussey@trapezegroup.com . We'd love to hear and share your stories on the transit industry's number one podcast.
S4 E34 · Wed, June 02, 2021
Jeremy Yap, Land Transport Authority, Singapore
" We want to promote caring commuting culture here, a gracious one, ... working together with everyday commuters to try and improve each other's commute." This week Paul talks with Jeremy Yap, Deputy Chief Executive for Public Transport, Policy and Planning for the Land Transport Authority, Singapore. In this wide-ranging interview, we learn how Singapore is creating and expanding a transit system to serve its 5.6 million people with bus and rail service that is clean, efficient, and kind. From digging a kilometer a month and a new station every two months for their expanded metro line to seamless payment systems, Singapore is creating a transit system that aims to have every person within a 10 minute walk to a transit stop and 20 minute travel time across the city. Learn more about this episode get show notes and complete transcript at https://www.transitunplugged.com/jeremy-yap-lta-singapore/
S4 E33 · Wed, May 26, 2021
Comfort's Corner: NATA, UITP, and the new study on contracting in public transit
Show notes: Welcome to Comfort's Corner for May 26th, 2021. This week on Comfort's Corner we have a special newsmaker segment with board members of the North American Transit Alliance (NATA) and the International Association of Public Transit (UITP) discussing the results of a new study on private contracting in public transit agencies. UITP completed the study on behalf of NATA and conducted interviews with transit agencies from around the world. The results of this study and give a rich, diverse, and global picture of contracting in public transit. You can download a copy of the report from the UITP website. If your agency would like a presentation about the results of the study, contact Julia Gessner at NATA . In transit news, Paul covers: Kevin Quinn appointed as the new CEO of TransLink . Greyhound Canada ceases all operations in Canada on May 13. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation is taking steps to curb fraud and abuse . Union City, CA is bringing back The Flea microtransit service to BART stations. Finally, we hear from Elea Carey in her messaging minute talking about how to leverage the media for hiring at your agency. Next week we have Jeremy Yap of Public Transport, Policy and Planning for the Land Transport Authority in Singapore speaking with Paul in another segment on public transit around the world. Show transcript: Paul Comfort: This is Transit Unplugged. I'm your host Paul Comfort. Great to be with you on another edition of Comfort's Corner, where we bring you the inside story and what's happening in and around the transit industry. Today, we've got a great show for you got some big headline news stories to give you. And then after that, we'll be going into an in-depth interview with the North American Transit Alliance in UATP. It's a great interview with them. Um, and I'll tell you more about it in just a moment. We'll be talking about a new s
S4 E32 · Wed, May 19, 2021
Esmaeel Hasan Al Blooshi, RAK Transport Authority
This week Paul chats with Esmaeel Hasan Al Blooshi of the RAK Transport Authority in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. Ras Al Khaimah is the northernmost of the seven Emirates in the UAE and home to over 60 km of beaches, the world's longest zip line, and... A really innovative and integrated transit system. From buses to taxis, e-scooters and e-bikes to ferries, RAK Transport is creating a uniquely integrated system powered by new apps and technology. Unlike many North American transit authorities, taxis are an essential part of the overall transit system. The system caters to both residents of Ras Al Khaimah, but also a large tourist industry. The goal is to get people quickly, easily, affordably, and sustainably from one place to another. You can learn more about RAKTA on their website . Episode transcript: Paul Comfort: This is Transit Unplugged. I'm your host Paul Comfort. Thanks for being with us today. As we interview the world's top transit executives to bring you their insights about what's happening in their transit system and for the future of our industry. And today we're excited to enter into the world of the middle east. Again, our guest today is Mr. Esmaeel Hasan Al Blooshi , the executive general manager. At the RAS Al Khaimah Emirates in the United Arab Emirates Transport Authority, they call it the RAK Transport Authority or rack Transport Authority. And today he discusses the vision for transportation there in the Emirate as reliable, smart, and sustainable. It's their vision. It includes all kinds of exciting innovations, including rolling in taxi as part of the overall mobility solution. Uh, e-bikes, e-scooters plans for a high-speed ferry service. Uh, inner city connections between the various city states of the UAE, all that. You'll get a real in-depth look today with this interview with Mr. Esmaeel Hassan Al Blooshi on Transit Unplugged. Narrator: What does it mean to be a successful public transit agency? What are you doing to lead the way? It's time to learn from the top transit professionals in North America. This is Transit Unplugged with your host Paul Comfort. Paul Comfort: Welcome to Transit Unplugged. I'm your host Paul Comfort. Great to be with you today on another edition of the world's leading transit podcast, Transit Unplugged. And today we head to the Middle East in an interview with a leader of one of the large upcoming transit systems in the United Arab Emirates. Esmaeel Hassan Al Blooshi. Thank you so much for being with us today Esmaeel. Esmaeel Hasan Al Blooshi: Pleasure to be here. Thank you very much for hosting this international podcast. Paul Comfort: Wonderful to have you with us. And I know you're famous there in
S4 E31 · Wed, May 12, 2021
Comfort's Corner: Julie Timm of GRTC Are fares truly fair?
This week is a special Comfort's Corner with a focus on access and equality in the transit system. After this week's transit news, we hear from Julie Timm of the Greater Richmond Transit Company on how she is looking at how the fare system, might not be fair to the people who need and depend on it most. Julie's segment was taken from her Virtual ThinkTransit talk she gave on April 28th, 2021. In part three of Comfort's Corner, Paul talks about his new vision on the future of transit. Beyond technology to get people where they are going quickly and efficiently, Paul believes transit systems need to be fair and equitable to the people who need the system the most. We also hear from Elea Carey in her Messaging Minute wrapping up her three-part series on email newsletters. Finally Mike's Minute we hear about a random act of kindness that had an unexpected outcome. Next week, Paul welcomes Esmaeel Hasan Al Bloohsi from RAK Transport Authority. Until then, have a great week and ride happy.
S4 E30 · Wed, May 05, 2021
Leslie Richards - SEPTA
" ...it was really that project that showed me how much transportation can add to the economic development of a region, can hurt, or help, neighborhoods. can really impact people at their business levels ... in the communities they choose to raise their families... " This week Paul is joined by Leslie Richards General Manager of SEPTA (Southeast Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) . In this Transit Unplugged episode, you not only learn about Leslie's career path but how she is tackling challenges today and looking towards the future. And even how she bucked the trend and move into the city of Philadelphia and how that reminds her how important transit is to the people who live and work in the City of Brotherly Love.
S4 E28 · Mon, May 03, 2021
ThinkTransit Day Two Keynote: Lauren Skiver
This is the second of three special Transit Unplugged episodes from Virtual ThinkTransit. Our Day Two keynote was by Lauren Skiver, CEO of SunLine Transit Agency . challenged us to find our power and purpose to innovate. Lauren hit head-on the challenge of innovating in a regulated business like transit. We have a great responsibility to our staff, riders, and everyone else sharing the road, but we also have a responsibility to make sure transit evolves with the times and does more. Innovations in transit are essential to the continued health, growth, and resiliency in the industry. While Inspiration is a noun, Lauren sees it as something to spur action. Something to help us take the next step: "Inspiration creates action in my mind"--Lauren Skiver Lauren looks as each thing she has to do as an opportunity to see how it can improve herself or others. She sees even the most mundane tasks as opportunities for innovation . Like Robbie, Lauren sees working in transit as a higher calling, not a j-o-b job: "Public transit is a calling, not just a job. It's something we do because we create something for the community, feel good about how we connect people to jobs, we feel good about how we create mobility for a community, and we feel good about the people we work with in this business." For Lauren, innovation and inspiration come down to harnessing your power and purpose for good. Sometimes it's scary. Sometimes we've used our power in the wrong ways, but the pandemic has shown us all we need to tap into our own personal power and purpose to push ahead. At SunLine Lauren is striving to have an entirely renewable energy-powered fleet by 2035. Already leaders in CNG, full electric, and hydrogen fuel cell electric buses, Lauren is pushing the agency farther and fast than they dreamed. The drop in ridership in the pandemic gave her the unique opportunity to innovate faster towards building their own microgrid, generating their own hydrogen for buses, and more. Lauren showed how harnessing your passion and purpose--like breaking our dependence on fossil fuels--is something within all our grasp. We just have to seize it.
S4 E29 · Mon, May 03, 2021
Virtual ThinkTransit Day Three Keynote: Future of Transit Panel
In the third of our special Transit Unplugged episodes from Virtual ThinkTransit, we have the final keynote from Day Three. Our final keynote of the conference had Geoff Gray step into Paul Comfort's shoes to moderate this amazing panel of Phil Verster, President and CEO, Metrolinx ; Erinn Pinkerton, President and CEO, BC Transit ; and Alex Wiggins, CEO, New Orleans Transit . Phil started off highlighting projects underway that will keep going to meet the needs of one of Canada's fastest-growing cities. But it's not just infrastructure, it's a focus on safety and getting people to feel comfortable taking transit again. Alex, as other speakers will note later, the pandemic highlighted the often historical disparities between the people who need transit and those who run it. Alex's own parents couldn't fully use the transit system he now runs. And the ferry system that's part of his network was once used as an embarkation place for African slaves. In New Orleans, as in many other cities across North America, people of color were disproportionately affected by both the pandemic health-wise, but economically as well. As Alex had to reduce service at the height of the pandemic, was he inadvertently hurting the very people he most needed to serve. Alex's goal, spurred by the pandemic, is looking at his entire transit system and remove barriers. He wants to get headways below 15 minutes and make transit riders equal to car drivers in access to jobs and services. Erinn, started her talk acknowledging that her office sites on the traditional lands of the Lekwungen, Songhees, Esquimalt, and WSÁNEĆ peoples. This, for people in British Columbia, is an important part of addressing the past disparities and injustices we benefit from now. BC Transit, as Geoff mentioned, serves the transit needs of an area bigger than the state of Texas. Erinn sees her job not as getting things back to normal but also to get things to something better. For example, morning and evening rush hour service is some of the most expensive services in the system, what if that becomes less important than better mid-day and weekend service? Mid-day and weekends have been in the past when people use transit less, but now that's changing. And Erinn is innovating with programs like Transit to Trail to get people to popular hiking spots and reduce pressure on communities and parking in already sensitive areas. After Erinn's talk, the panel took questions from the audience on the points raised above, like fares (The whole Province of B.C. is going fare-free for kids under 13 starting in September) and how each agency is helping people feel safe and ready to ride again. They are looking forward to the time when people have a place to take transit to again. "We have
S4 E27 · Mon, May 03, 2021
ThinkTransit Day One Keynote: Robbie Makinen
In the first of three special Transit Unplugged episodes, we bring you the keynote from Day One of Virtual ThinkTransit (VTT). Robbie Makinen's (CEO of the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority ) keynote was an inspiration to the entire audience. Robbie is well known as an inspiring speaker and he did not disappoint today. He lost his sight about eight years ago and related a story about sitting in the car with his son and how it was a turning point for him. Everyone is dealt a bad hand sometimes, Robbie says, the question is how do you deal with it. Will you be a sail or an anchor? Will you push on or drag down? Robbie chose to sail. Robbie believes transit agencies need to be woven into the fabric of society. Transit is essential for millions of people. He talks about going fare-free and how that it's not a loss in revenue, but an investment in people. People take the money they would have spent on transit in the community. The money doesn't disappear, it goes back into the community. "Transit agencies shouldn't be off on an island. Stop thinking of yourself as just a transit agency. Think about weaving yourself into the community." --Robbie Makinen Robbie's challenge to all of us is ask ourselves why we do what we do. Why do we work at our jobs? For many of us, that answer is helping people in their daily lives. And Robbie's inspirational words remind us all of that.
S4 E26 · Wed, April 28, 2021
Comfort’s Corner: Luke Antoniou – Intelligent Transport
“This industry is absolutely crucial for people to live their lives in the way that they are used to doing.” On this episode of Comfort's Corner, part of the Transit Unplugged podcast, Luke Antoniou, Editor of Intelligent Transport, joins Paul Comfort to discuss new transit trends in Europe and his thoughts on Mobility-as-a-Service. Paul also shares an exciting Q&A from ThinkTransit featuring Elea Carey, John Sisson, and Sam Sargent. If you want to know more about Intelligent Transport, check out their website .
S4 E25 · Wed, April 21, 2021
Clinton Forbes – Palm Tran
“I have always said that crisis breeds innovation.” Joining the Transit Unplugged podcast for this episode is Clinton Forbes, Executive Director at Palm Tran. Clinton chats with Paul Comfort about Palm Tran’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, their new flex routes for remote areas, and shares his thoughts on the future of electric vehicles. Clinton also joins Paul’s lightning round to share his favorite books, hobbies, and more. If you want to know more about Palm Tran, check out their website .
S4 E24 · Wed, April 14, 2021
Comfort’s Corner: Valerie Neilson - Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency
“We're looking at the big picture. Where are we going? What's happening? How do we make this all make sense together?” On this episode of Comfort's Corner, part of the Transit Unplugged podcast, Valerie Neilson, Deputy Director of the Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency, joins Paul Comfort to discuss the role of a metropolitan planning agency and how they interact with the local community. Valerie also chats about her passion for “complete streets” and prioritizing safety for users of all ages and abilities. If you want to know more about the Palm Beach TPA, check out their website .
S4 E23 · Wed, April 07, 2021
Nat Ford – Jacksonville Transportation Authority
“I think we are best prepared and situated to be holistic transportation service providers, and we should not limit ourselves and stay in one lane.” Joining the Transit Unplugged podcast for this episode is Nat Ford, CEO of Jacksonville Transportation Authority. Nat chats with Paul Comfort about the latest and greatest innovations at the JTA, from vaccine buses to microtransit, and shares more about JTA’s unique autonomous vehicle Test and Learn track. If you want to know more about the JTA, check out their website .
S4 E22 · Wed, March 31, 2021
Comfort’s Corner: Brian Litchfield - Town of Chapel Hill
“We're fortunate enough to work in a community that is supportive of our efforts.” On this episode of Comfort's Corner, part of the Transit Unplugged podcast, Brian Litchfield, Transit Director for the Town of Chapel Hill, joins Paul Comfort to discuss how COVID-19 has helped to bring his agency closer to the local community. Brian also chats about Chapel Hill Transit’s investments in clean energy and their unique fare-free model. If you want to know more about CHT, check out their website .
S4 E21 · Wed, March 24, 2021
Tilly Chang - San Francisco County Transportation Authority
“These people who take care of us every day, we need to take care of them, and make sure that we're ensuring that our services are for everyone.” Joining the Transit Unplugged podcast for this episode is Tilly Chang, Executive Director for the San Francisco County Transportation Authority. Tilly chats with Paul Comfort about autonomous vehicles, the impact of TNC’s such as Uber and Lyft in San Francisco, and her thoughts on how public transit will recover from COVID-19. Tilly also joins Paul’s new lightning round to share her favorite books, musicians, and her unusual family pet. If you want to know more about SFCTA, check out their website .
S4 E20 · Wed, March 17, 2021
Comfort’s Corner: Christian Kent, Principal, Christian T. Kent Transit Management Consulting LLC
“When we're challenged in transit, that's often sometimes where the greatest innovation comes.” On this episode of Comfort's Corner, part of the Transit Unplugged podcast, Christian Kent, Transit Management Consultant and former Assistant GM at WMATA, joins Paul Comfort to discuss how he believes paratransit services will change after COVID-19. Christian also chats about his career in the transit industry, and shares industry trends he’s seeing in transit recruitment. If you want to know more about Christian, check out his website .
S4 E19 · Wed, March 10, 2021
David Kim - Secretary of Transportation for the State of California
“We need transit to not only survive the pandemic, but to thrive.” Joining the Transit Unplugged podcast for this episode is David Kim, Secretary of Transportation for the State of California. David chats with Paul Comfort about CalSTA’s new high-speed rail project, the future of zero-emission buses, and his thoughts on autonomous vehicles. David also joins Paul’s new lightning round to share his favorite books, musicians, and predictions for the future of public transportation. If you want to know more about the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA), check out their website .
S4 E18 · Wed, March 03, 2021
Comfort’s Corner: Pierre Holloman, Assistant Transit Bureau Chief, Arlington Department of Environmental Services, Division of Transportation
“We have two projects that were always on our books and our capital improvement program, however with the Amazon decision, it did provide us with the ability to actually put those projects forward even quicker.” On this episode of Comfort's Corner, part of the Transit Unplugged podcast, Pierre Holloman, Assistant Transit Bureau Chief at the Arlington Department of Environmental Services Division of Transportation, joins Paul Comfort to discuss what Amazon’s new Arlington office means for their transit agency. Pierre also chats about ART’s new maintenance and operations facility, and how they are continuing to implement their capital projects during COVID-19. If you want to know more about ART, check out their website .
S4 E17 · Wed, February 24, 2021
Anne Graham – National Transport Authority
“In times of crisis, you tend to come up with more creative solutions when you want to deliver them quite quickly.” Joining the Transit Unplugged podcast for this episode is Anne Graham, Chief Executive Officer of the National Transport Authority of Ireland. Anne chats with Paul Comfort about three major projects that the NTA is currently working on, including creating the first underground metro in Ireland and electrifying their rail network. Anne also provides an in-depth look into the Irish government’s response to COVID-19, and the unique restrictions they put into place to keep transit operators safe. If you want to know more about the NTA, check out their website .
S4 E16 · Wed, February 17, 2021
Comfort’s Corner: Scott Bogren – Community Transportation Association of America
“We’re trying to remind Congress that the pandemic’s everywhere. And transit is a national program. It's not a program in 15 largest cities in the country. It's a national program, and if we're going to be able to get votes in Congress to the numbers we need, members need to have a reason to vote for the transit in their communities.” On this episode of Comfort's Corner, part of the Transit Unplugged podcast, Scott Bogren, Executive Director at Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA), joins Paul Comfort to discuss the impact of federal funding on small and rural transit agencies. Scott also chats about the next round of transit funding coming out of Washington D.C. and how transit agencies can help their local communities with vaccine distribution. If you want to know more about CTAA, check out their website .
S4 E15 · Wed, February 10, 2021
Sir Peter Hendy CBE – Chair of Network Rail
“It's not transport for the sake of it … it's got a purpose, and it's worth investing in for that purpose. And as habits change, we should adapt what transit is there for to address the issues.” Joining the Transit Unplugged podcast for this episode is Sir Peter Hendy CBE, Chair of Network Rail. Sir Peter shares the story of his long and illustrious career in the transit industry and talks about the long and short-term implications of COVID-19 on the United Kingdom’s transit systems. Sir Peter also provides an in-depth look into the future of Network Rail and discusses why he’s unashamedly a self-proclaimed transit enthusiast. If you want to know more about Network Rail, check out their website .
S4 E14 · Wed, February 03, 2021
Comfort’s Corner: Matthew Wood – National Express Transit
“Some of those agencies where we've brought microtransit in, they’ve heard about it, but they weren't really looking into how to implement it. We get it up and running within 30-60 days ... I think private contracting can bring that value and that innovation and flexibility to put new services and products in at a faster pace.” On this episode of Comfort's Corner, part of the Transit Unplugged podcast, Matthew Wood, Chief Operating Officer at National Express Transit, joins Paul Comfort to discuss the role of private contractors in the transit industry. Matthew also chats about his commitment to employee growth and development and the future of the North American Transit Alliance. If you want to know more about National Express Transit, check out their website .
S4 E13 · Wed, January 27, 2021
Alex Wiggins – New Orleans Regional Transit Authority
“Transit was very critical to me being able to live the American dream.” Joining the Transit Unplugged podcast for this episode is Alex Wiggins, CEO of New Orleans Regional Transit Authority. Alex has had a long and storied career in the transit industry, and he shares how his past experiences have shaped how he leads today. Alex also provides an in-depth look at how New Orleans RTA responded to COVID-19 and discusses his commitment to equity and transit for all. If you want to know more about New Orleans RTA, check out their website .
S4 E12 · Wed, January 20, 2021
Comfort’s Corner: Tom Gerend – KC Streetcar Authority
“Our board made a decision very early on that if we could remove the barriers to use, more people would ride. They would frequent more businesses. They would spend more money… We think our ridership is 30% to 40% higher than it would have been with a fare, and it has totally changed the dynamic for how people view the system and its ease of use.” On this episode of Comfort's Corner, part of the Transit Unplugged podcast, Tom Gerend, Executive Director at Kansas City Streetcar Authority, joins Paul Comfort to discuss KCSA’s recent $174 million grant from the federal government. Tom also chats about how zero-fare riding has benefitted their transit system, and his plans to launch the next generation of transit services in Kansas City. If you want to know more about KCSA, check out their website .
S4 E11 · Wed, January 13, 2021
Ahmed Hashem Bahrozyan – Roads & Transport Authority
"We operate the longest driverless Metro system in the whole world currently. Unlike what you normally see around Europe, the far East, etc., our Metro stations are built more like five-star hotels, very fancy transport mobility hubs, that encourage people to use the different mobility services." Joining the Transit Unplugged podcast for this episode is Ahmed Hashem Bahrozyan, Chief Executive Officer of the Roads & Transport Authority in Dubai, United Arab Emirate (UAE). Ahmed is responsible for everything that has to do with road infrastructure, surface transportation, and mobility in Dubai. In this episode, Ahmed shares with listeners all the exciting innovations in public transportation in Dubai and why Dubai is considered a center of innovation worldwide. He shares insights into his government's approach to autonomous vehicles, water transport, air taxis, among others. If you want to know more about Dubai’s Public Transport Agency, check out their website .
S4 E10 · Wed, January 06, 2021
Comfort's Corner: Joshua Schank – LA Metro
"We came together to form this Public-Private Partnership, where we were able to provide what will eventually be the largest on-demand publicly provided microtransit service in the country." On this episode of Comfort's Corner, part of the Transit Unplugged podcast, Joshua Schank joins Paul Comfort from Los Angeles to discuss his career in the transit industry. He talks about how the CEO created his role, "The Office of Extraordinary Innovation," to allow LA Metro, a public sector agency, to implement policy innovations. Joshua also shares some of the great new things coming for the transit industry in 2021. If you want to know more about LA Metro, check out their website .
S4 E9 · Thu, December 31, 2020
Taulby Roach – Bi-State Development
"Bi-State Development is one of the few agencies set by a charter, by an act of Congress. We have a federal charter that notes the governance of Bi-State and allows for the interoperability of a transit system across two states, multiple jurisdictions, and multiple towns." Joining the Transit Unplugged podcast for this episode is Taulby Roach, the President & CEO of Bi-State Development. Taulby Roach has worked in and around the transit system for the past 20 years. The skillset he has acquired in commercial real estate development, infrastructure projects, and finance provided him a background in some of the financing typically used in the transit industry. In this episode, Taulby shares with listeners more about his career journey, Bi-State Development, and the transit system's organization. If you want to know more about Bi-State Development, check out their website .
S4 E8 · Wed, December 23, 2020
Comfort's Corner: Ben Plowden – Transport for London
"Transport for London is probably one of the most integrated transport authorities in the world, in the sense that we not only planned for but also operate pretty much all of the public transport in the city. But crucially, we also are responsible for the planning for an operation of the road network." On this episode of Comfort's Corner, part of the Transit Unplugged podcast, Ben Plowden joins Paul Comfort from London to discuss Transport for London's restart and recovery program. He shares ideas on a post-COVID era and how the transit service in London and around the world might need to adjust to commuters' new travel patterns. If you want to know more about Transport for London (TFL), check out their website .
S4 E7 · Tue, December 15, 2020
Ronald Lwakatare - Dar Rapid Transit Agency
"When we complete the six phases of the transit system in Tanzania, we expect to have more than 3,000 BRT buses in the city, and they will replace what we have currently, nearly 10,000 local buses." Joining the Transit Unplugged podcast for this episode is Ronald Lwakatare, Chief Executive of Dar Rapid Transit Agency (DART) in Tanzania. Ronald joined DART in January 2016 as Chief Executive and is working hard to bring future public transportation to his nation and city. In this episode, Ronald shares with listeners a look into the transportation system in Tanzania, what it means to be a successful public transit agency, and what his country is doing to lead the way for public transit. If you want to know more about Dar Rapid Transit Agency (DART), check out their website .
S4 E6 · Wed, December 09, 2020
Comfort's Corner: John Rossant – CoMotion
"In many ways, Los Angeles is going to become one of the key global hubs of new mobility. It is the largest urban car market globally, and in terms of the metro area, one of the world's biggest, along with New York and Tokyo. What happens in LA affects everything else in the world, and we are excited for CoMotion to be here." On this episode of Comfort's Corner, part of the Transit Unplugged podcast, John Rossant joins Paul Comfort to discuss his career as Chair of New Cities Foundation and the brilliant work he is doing as CEO of CoMotion. He shares his thoughts on mobility disruptions in the 21st century, following a successful virtual CoMotion LA event, which had over 2,500 mobility leaders in attendance from both the public and private sectors and over 50 countries. CoMotion is one of the hottest new transportation conferences globally and has its base in Los Angeles, a global hub of modern mobility. If you want to know more about CoMotion LA, check out their website here .
S4 E5 · Tue, December 01, 2020
Abimbola Akinajo - Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority
“We are constantly looking at our systems and working to ensure that when we do roll out, we do not have to roll back.” Joining the Transit Unplugged podcast for this episode is Abimbola Akinajo, the Managing Director and CEO of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA). Abimbola Akinajo is a chartered civil engineer with over 25 years of experience working in the United Kingdom and Nigeria on the design and delivery of major rail and road transport infrastructure projects. This experience is key to successfully planning, implementing, regulating, and franchising an intermodal integrated transport system for Lagos’ 22 million residents. In this episode, Abimbola shares with listeners more about her own career, the work of LAMATA, the process of regulating private bus service operations, as well as the progress to date constructing of a light rail line, BRT line, and metro third-rail line. Needless to say, Abimbola and the LAMATA team are busy and excited, which makes for an inspiring and thought-provoking episode! If you want to know more about Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, check out their website .
S4 E4 · Wed, November 25, 2020
Comfort’s Corner: Alejandra Cruz Ross – United Nations International Labor Office
“When looking through an industrial lens, how the future of transit might look will highly depend on its workforce. It will depend on the future of decent and sustainable work in urban transport services.” On this episode of Comfort’s Corner, part of the Transit Unplugged podcast, Alejandra Cruz Ross joins Paul Comfort from Geneva to discuss her career, outlook on the future of public transit, and career goals. Though most importantly, as the Transport Specialist in the Sectoral Policies Department with the International Labor Office (ILO), part of the United Nations, Alejandra dives into the ILO’s most recent report titled, COVID-19 and Urban Passenger Transport Services . This report covers the preliminary impacts of COVID-19 on urban transport and its workers and the response of ILO constituents, as well as a selection of related resources. If you want to know more about the International Labor Office (ILO), check out their website .
S4 E3 · Mon, November 16, 2020
Sue Dreier - Pierce Transit
“[Of our 160-million-dollar operating budget], we are proud that 88% goes to direct service on the road and 12% goes to administration. We try to keep that within that range for our 32 local routes.” Joining Paul Comfort on this episode of “Transit Unplugged” is Sue Dreier, Chief Executive Officer of Pierce Transit, a public transit operator for Pierce County, Washington. Pierce Transit offers fixed route bus, vanpool, microtransit, and paratransit services, all with the goal of connecting people in the community to transit. In this vibrant interview, Sue gives listeners an in-depth understanding of her transit system, her career, Pierce Transit’s upcoming BRT project, how the COVID-19 crisis impacted the system, and how they are recovering from it. Plus, she explains the implementation of electric buses into their fleet and offers some advice for fellow transit operators planning to undergo a similar initiative. If you want to know more about Pierce Transit, check out their website .
S4 E2 · Thu, November 12, 2020
Celebrating 3 Years: A Special Best-Of Edition of Transit Unplugged
“The [interviews I have conducted over the last three years] confirmed that CEOs of public transit agencies have a very tough job. They are half politician and half operations director. They are a staff leader and a planner.” This episode marks the 3rd anniversary of Transit Unplugged! As one of the world’s first podcasts for public transit professionals, the show is now listened to in over 99 countries. In honor of this milestone, we have compiled a few best moments and key learnings out of the 117 episodes and over 4,000 minutes of audio from the past three years. Our featured guests in this episode include: Bill Carpenter , Chief Executive Officer at Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority Robbie Makinen , President and Chief Executive Officer at the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority Alexander Schulze , Senior Project Manager at AMoTech Lauren Skiver , Chief Executive Officer and General Manager at Sunline Transit Phil Verster , President and Chief Executive Officer at Metrolinx Andy Byford , Commissioner of Transit for London Erinn Pinkerton , President and Chief Executive Officer at BC Transit William Harrell , President and Chief Executive Officer at Hampton Roads Transit Chris O’Claire , Mobility Division Director at King County Metro Phil Washington , Chief Executive Officer at LA Metro
S4 E1 · Wed, November 04, 2020
Comfort’s Corner: Mohamed Mezghani – UITP
“Though there is a second wave [of COVID-19] in many countries, the ridership of public transport is not decreasing – it is still increasing. Thus, the main difference from the first wave is that we now know [public transportation] is safe and people know how to behave.” On this episode of Comfort’s Corner, part of the Transit Unplugged podcast, Mohamed Mezghani, Elected Secretary General of the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) joins Paul Comfort to discuss his current work and organization, as well as share some insights he has gained after 30+ years in the industry. Today, UITP has over 1,600 member companies in 99 countries and champions sustainable urban mobility by connecting public transport stakeholders and transport modes. Mohamed Mezghani’s expertise in urban mobility policies, trends and innovations in urban transport, and public transport stakeholder relationships, make him uniquely qualified for the job of Secretary General, and also an incredibly insightful guest! If you want to know more about UITP, check out their website .
S3 E53 · Wed, October 28, 2020
Tom Egan - MV Transportation
“[As NATA members], I think we collectively felt a sense of duty to the communities we serve to create an organization that advocates for effective public transportation systems, plays a leading role in serving the needs of cities across North America, and maintains confidence in public transportation.” Tom Egan, Chief Executive Officer of MV Transportation is a dedicated leader to both his company and the industry. On this episode of Transit Unplugged, Tom virtually sat down with host and transit evangelist, Paul Comfort, to discuss the history of MV Transportation and his role as CEO since the founders, Alex and Feysan Lodde, transitioned to members of the board. As he explains it today “they help keep the spirit of the original principles that MV was founded on, alive,” with his job being to “set the company up for the next 45 years of success.” During their time together, Tom and Paul also dive into what it took for Tom and his leadership team to prepare strategies for COVID-19 before it was even officially declared a pandemic. Finally, the conversation concludes with Tom explaining his and MV Transportation’s role on the North American Transit Alliance (NATA). He says, “Even though we are competitors, [as members of NATA] have an obligation to further the industry, bring innovation, and I look at this as the start of that.” If you want to know more about MV Transportation, check out their website here .
S3 E52 · Tue, October 20, 2020
Comfort’s Corner: Magda Robertson - Torrens Connect
“We are social creatures. We are going to go back to the offices. So, the next twelve months for me will be spent planning for that increase in patronage. [I will be looking for] ways to run the timetable better, provide a better customer experience, and ensure the public that our transit is safe to travel on.” On this episode of Transit Unplugged Magda Robertson, General Manager at Torrens Connect, joins Paul Comfort from Australia to discuss careers, goals, technology, and predictions for the post-COVID world. Plus, find out how transit agencies can adapt to changing ridership trends by appealing to a specific demographic – families! Kicking the discussion off, Magda explains how 9-11 served as her impetus to transition out of law enforcement and into public transit. Since that time, Magda has been a devoted leader in both the public and private sectors of public transportation, with her most recently overseeing the service delivery of tram and bus operations in Adelaide Metro’s dynamic operating environment. This experience informs the rest of the discussion which touches on the agency’s goals for the future, the role of technology in transit, and increasing ridership at this stage in the pandemic and moving forward. To learn more about the important work Torrens Connect is doing in Australia, check out their website .
S3 E51 · Thu, October 15, 2020
A State Funding Success Story with William Harrell - Hampton Roads Transit
“We are going to phase 13 routes in over many years, but once those are in place, we will serve a population of 487,000. That is a 169% increase. On the job side, right now our market share is about 137,500 jobs, and that will see a 127% increase to make it roughly 312,500 jobs. This is a revolutionary change in how we do business.” William Harrell, President and CEO at Hampton Roads Transit, joins Transit Unplugged to discuss what has been made possible for his community in Virginia as a result of $20 million in secured state funding. Historically Hampton Roads Transit operations were funded by four major sources: federal funding, state funding, the farebox, and member cities. This proved challenging for the agency and most importantly, its ridership, whose transit trips could take up to three hours compared to 20 minutes by car. Thanks to the hard work and dedication shown by William Harrell, his team at Hampton Roads Transit, and government officials, a strong regional backbone will be built for the Hampton Roads area, including 15-minute service during peak hours, electric buses, and light rail, all as a result of the funding. After 24 minutes, listeners should walk away with Hampton Roads Transit’s success story feeling inspired and encouraged to better serve their communities and elevate their riders’ experience. If you want to know more about Hampton Roads Transit, check out their website .
S3 E50 · Wed, October 07, 2020
Comfort’s Corner: 40 Under 40 in the Public Transit Industry Pt. 2
“I think it is incredibly important that staff at all levels get regular exposure to their [transit] system. Doing so, gives you a greater perspective and will help you be more effective in your job.” This week on Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort hosts three of Mass Transit magazine’s 40 Under 40 honorees who have been recognized as outstanding young individuals actively making a difference in the public transit industry. Guests include Alice Grossman, an AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); Jerome Horne, a Ridership Experience Specialist at IndyGo; and Tyler Means, the Manager of Solutions Engineering at TransLoc. Together with Paul Comfort, each guest shares their journey in the public transit industry thus far, projects they are working on or are most proud of, and their vision for the future. If you want to know more about the remaining 38 honorees on this year’s 40 Under 40 list, check out the Mass Transit website here .
S3 E49 · Wed, September 30, 2020
Rodd Staples – Transport for New South Wales
“I think great data and analytics, joining up the various data pools in the organization, will challenge our thinking and will open up new opportunities we have not thought of and help our customers in ways we did not think we could.” Joining this episode of “Transit Unplugged” from Australia is Rodd Staples, Secretary of Transport for New South Wales. In this role, Rodd leads 25,000 employees and oversees an expansive public transport ecosystem that serves a state population of over 8 million people. This unique experience leads to an engaging discussion between Rodd Staples and host, Paul Comfort, during which they discuss careers, COVID-19 impacts, a new Australian TV show, and a vision for the future of public transportation that is data-driven. If you want to know more about Transport for New South Wales, check out their website .
S3 E48 · Wed, September 23, 2020
Comfort’s Corner: 40 Under 40 in the Public Transit Industry Pt. 1
“Many people in our industry get up every day to make sure that Canadians, Americans, and commuters around the world get to where they need to be. To do that, it creates an environment where you continuously need to be improving, figuring out the next trend, and in the meanwhile, operating a business and transit operations effectively. All of which requires a great deal of self-motivation.” On this week’s episode of Transit Unplugged – Comfort’s Corner, your host Paul Comfort, kicks off a series of lively discussions with some of Mass Transit’s 40 Under 40 outstanding young individuals actively making a difference in the public transit industry. As the Editor of Mass Transit magazine, Mischa Wanek-Libman, kicks of the episode by discussing the rising popularity of the 40 Under 40 list since its launch and how she, along with her fellow evaluation committee members, hand-selected this year’s honorees from over 250 submissions. Paul Comfort then dives into a discussion with two honorees: Marco D'Angelo, President and CEO of the Canadian Urban Transit Association and Ivan Rodriguez, the Director of Government and Industry Affairs, and Policy Advisor to the CEO at Jacksonville Transportation Authority. The honorees dive into their journeys in the public transit industry, the important work they are doing today, and their ideas regarding the future of public transportation. If you want to know more about the remaining 38 honorees on this year’s 40 Under 40 list, check out the Mass Transit website here . Also, if you are not already subscribed, do so now to ensure you get notified when part two of the 40 Under 40 discussions hit the airwaves!
S3 E47 · Tue, September 15, 2020
Neil Scales – Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads
“We need to think about...how we harness social media…new technology…messaging in vehicles...how we give the attending customers as much information as we can, so they can make good transportation choices.” Neil Scales, Director-General of Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, joins Transit Unplugged to discuss his career, the transit industry, and the exciting ecosystem of operations that his department oversees. The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads is working towards a single, integrated transport network that is accessible to everyone in Queensland. The department is responsible for bus, rail, ferries, school transit, cycling, walking, and roads. Neil shares his excitement for the future of MaaS (Mobility-as-a-Service) – and a strong industry continuously pushing boundaries forward for future generations. If you want to know more about the Queensland Dept of Transport and Main Roads, check out their website. Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay updated on all the latest industry trends.
S3 E46 · Wed, September 09, 2020
Comfort’s Corner: Focusing on Transit Riders
“We did a lot of user research to understand what kinds of information did people need? What did they want? How should it best be presented so that it would be as useful as possible? That user-based research is really a cornerstone of the way that we try to attack problems here.” In today’s Comfort’s Corner episode, we hear from David Gerstle, Chief Digital Officer at MBTA, a messaging minute from Elea Carey on focusing your transit service as a mobility utility, and a new Mike’s Minute on the great leadership showcased in the transit industry. Plus, Paul Comfort provides an inside look of his new children’s book! David Gerstle, Chief Digital Officer at MBTA, provides an overview of his career, what brought him to MBTA (the T), and the projects his team is working on to help empower their transit riders and enhance the customer experience. As a team they have a product mindset and a focus on data-driven decisions to find the best way to serve the community. This is exemplified in the recent launch of their bus-crowding initiative.
S3 E45 · Tue, September 01, 2020
Andy Byford – Transport for London
“I had huge empathy for front line employees. I always have. But it also really influenced my management philosophy because very occasionally when the top brass visited Regents Park and…or on occasion they’d stop and say hello to you. And then you’d feel 10 foot tall. That always resonated with me. It’s seared into my psyche. So now if you ever follow me around in transport on any of the jobs I’ve done or watch me walk through a subway station or out on the streets I will not walk past one of my colleagues without stopping to acknowledge them. “ Andy Byford, Commissioner of Transport for London, joins Transit Unplugged from his home base in London, where he originally began his transit career as a graduate trainee. A lot has happened since then. Andy has worked around the world and dedicated his professional life to being a public servant improving the lives of transit riders and employees. Returning home thirty-one years after he embarked on his transit industry journey, Andy Byford is the Head of Transport for London, taking on perhaps his biggest role to date. After recent tenures in New York and Toronto, where he accomplished a number of things he speaks of with pride, like the Toronto Transit Commission being named APTA’s Transit System of the Year in 2017 and progressing Fast Forward: The Plan to Modernize New York City Transit which captured the imagination of New Yorkers. He joins Transit Unplugged to talk about the highlights, his management philosophies, and his outlook on Covid-19 and the recovery process. Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay updated on all the latest industry trends.
S3 E44 · Wed, August 26, 2020
Dick Alexander - TransDev
“Never a dull moment, which is what I’ve always loved about this industry ‘cause it changes, the opportunities change and you know it’s infectious….I think what’s fun about it now what’s exciting about it now is technology now plays such a huge role in transit that we’re getting all of these just young and smart bright people in the industry “ Dick Alexander, CEO of TransDev, the largest privately owned transportation company in the world, and Chairman of the North American Transit Alliance (NATA), joins Transit Unplugged to discuss his passion for transit scheduling, and his fascinating career (he was appointed CEO of TransDev two days before Covid-19 officially rocked the transit world). He shares his views on the evolving nature of transit, the importance of NATA, and the role that private contractors play. This episode features an inside look at some of the innovative programs and developments spearheaded by TransDev (like the operation of TransDev Alternative Services, Google’s WAMO operation for autonomous vehicles, operated by 1,000 employees in multiple centers) and how Dick has led the company through the Covid crisis. He discusses his views on the future of public transportation, including how patterns, delivery systems, and the measurement of the value of transit will continue to change, and the role technology plays in all of it. If you want to know more about TransDev, check out their website . Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay updated on all the latest industry trends.
S3 E43 · Wed, August 19, 2020
Comfort’s Corner: Focus on Mobility, Now and Into the Future
“Transport is not only one solution. It’s a combination of different solutions...Integration of the different modes of transport [to provide] mobility.” In today’s Comfort’s Corner episode, we hear from Arnaud Legrand, CEO of RATP Dev USA, a messaging minute from Elea Carey on focusing your messaging on the outcomes of transit, and a new Mike’s Minute on the value of mentorship. Plus, Paul Comfort shares a reading from his book the Future of Public Transportation. Arnaud Legrand, CEO of RATP Dev USA, provides an outlook on his transit career, and an overview of RATP Dev, and details the difference between management contracts and traditional contracts. Arnaud also shares the impact that COVID-19 has had on RATP Dev and the cities and countries in which they operate. Arnaud and Paul discuss new technologies and the future of public transportation.
S3 E42 · Fri, August 14, 2020
Dennis Solensky - Connecticut Department of Transportation
“We could see these technology improvements coming, and the changes in the industry… we felt that…our fastrak would be the perfect opportunity…to start implementing automated technologies.” Dennis Solensky, Public Transit Administrator, Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), joins Transit Unplugged to discuss the transit industry, his career, and an exciting autonomous bus project that will be launching at the end of 2020. Dennis has a strong passion for the public transit industry, with 30 years of experience and various leadership roles before his current tenure at the Connecticut Department of Transportation, where he oversees bus operations. This episode provides an inside look at the Connecticut Department of Transportation (which operates 80% of fixed-route services in the State), specifically on an exciting project that they have underway – leading the first full-sized service autonomous vehicle in North America. Dennis discusses how their BRT Line, CTfastrak, provided an opportunity for full-sized autonomous buses. He shares a few key focus areas they will be studying while the autonomous vehicles are in operation, and the steps that they took to get to where they are today. The information they gather in this project will not only help improve transit services in the Connecticut region but also provide leading insights for the industry at large. If you want to know more about the Connecticut Department of Transportation, check out their website. Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay updated on all the latest industry trends.
S3 E41 · Wed, August 05, 2020
Comfort's Corner: Planning Phases of COVID-19
In today’s Comfort’s Corner episode, we hear from Sam Sargent, Deputy Chief of Staff at Capital Metro, a messaging minute from Elea Carey on the importance of internal messaging, and a new Mike’s Minute on the power of kindness. Plus, learn Paul’s top ten ways to future proof your transit agency! Sam Sargent, Deputy Chief of Staff at Capital Metro, shares the impact that COVID-19 has had on transit ridership in Austin, Texas. Capital Metro has approached COVID in 3 phases: responding, recovering, and long-term plans for resiliency. Sam shares more about the agency’s approach in these phases, and what the agency is focused on looking beyond COVID-19.
S3 E40 · Fri, July 31, 2020
Michael Hursh – AC Transit
"You're going to be in a place in your career where you're going to need mentors. You're going to need trusted people that you can talk [to] about the aspects where you may not have the career strength." Michael Hursh, General Manager of AC Transit joins Transit Unplugged to provide us with an outlook on his career, experiences, and his role at AC Transit for the past five years. Michael provides an update on the impact COVID-19 has had on ridership in Alameda Contra Costa and what implications this has had on their funding and budgets. Michael Hursh has a maintenance background where he worked for three of the largest transit agencies in the Bay area before he began his tenure at AC Transit. Michael shares the value of learning from your peers and the insights that others in the industry can provide you, where you may not have the career strength or career background. He also provides advice for other Transit leaders on the importance of working closely with Board Members. Paul Comfort and Michael Hursh go on to discuss ZEBs and hydrogen fuels, with the California mandate to be 100% zero-emission by 2040. Michael shares a new comparable study that AC Transit has underway to evaluate performance metrics for diesel, hydrogen, and battery electric busses. If you want to know more about AC Transit, check out their website. Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay updated on all the latest industry trends.
S3 E39 · Wed, July 22, 2020
Comfort’s Corner: Redefining Success in Public Transit
“How do we maximize the full scope of services that best serve the community? That comes from the standpoint of environment…social equity…mobility. Those big picture goals are going to be critical as we move into this post-COVID phase.” In today’s Comfort’s Corner episode, we hear from Doran Barnes, Executive Director at Foothill Transit in Los Angeles, a messaging minute from Elea Carey on how to improve your agency’s press relations with local journalists/reporters, and a new Mike’s Minute on the power of celebrating small victories during challenging times. Plus, learn more about the upcoming book, Public Transportation: A Children’s Picture Book! Doran Barnes, Executive Director at Foothill Transit, provides an overview of transit in Los Angeles County and how the different service providers coordinate across the regions to meet the communities’ mobility needs. At the start of the pandemic, Foothill Transit decided to continue to run at their full service, for the importance of getting people to their essential jobs/functions. Today, they are operating at 98% full service, with approximately 50% ridership levels. Doran shares his view on the future of public transit and its role in providing mobility for the community, and the impact teleworking will have on public transit.
S3 E38 · Thu, July 16, 2020
A Global Look at The Future of Public Transportation
“The important thing about transit…It is the engine for economics and economic development.” In this special edition of Transit Unplugged, you’ll hear a global view on what is happening around the world in the public transit industry, resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Today’s episode is a two-part feature from a recent live webinar with global panelists. In the first half, our host, Paul Comfort, shares an overview of how to future-proof your agency – and what tools and technologies can be leveraged. Following this, our global panelists provide a public transit update on their respective regions and a look at their current and future projects. Panelists include Mr. Abdulla Naser, Executive Director of Operations, KGL Passenger Services (Kuwait), Mrs. Amimbola Akinajo, Managing Director, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (Africa), and Mr. Phil Verster, CEO, Metrolinx (Canada).
S3 E37 · Thu, July 09, 2020
Comfort's Corner: Focus on Community Projects
“We may see some short-term pain, but in the long run, I think it's going to stabilize itself…and public transportation is going to be a big piece of that. On our first BRT, we saw almost 100-150 million dollars in economic development as a result of us putting a BRT line on our major corridor." As COVID-19 affects public transit dramatically, we're proud to present a special edition of Transit Unplugged led by transit evangelist and Trapeze VP Paul Comfort. In today's episode, we hear from Shawn Donaghy, CEO of C-Tran, a new Mike's Minute on the power of kindness and mentorship, and a message from Elea Carey on strategic communication planning. Shawn Donaghy joins Comfort's Corner to provide an inside look at how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted C-Tran, and what the agency plans to do to move forward. Before the pandemic, C-Tran was experiencing a year-over-year increase in ridership. When the pandemic hit, they experienced a 40% decrease in local service ridership. Now, this has started to improve, as they are seeing a 25-30% decrease in local service ridership, which speaks to the dependability on transit ridership in the local region. Moving forward, they're looking at the first six months of 2021, and the projects that were in place to improve quality of life for the community at large.
S3 E36 · Wed, July 01, 2020
Doug Kelsey - TriMet
“We all learn from each other; that’s one of the powerful things… about this industry. We don’t compete. It’s how you share practices to help leverage the circumstances that we each face that are common, and some that are not common. That’s one of the secret sauces and the powers of this industry.” Doug Kelsey, CEO and General Manager of TriMet, joins Transit Unplugged to provide an outlook on his career, experiences (including a leading role supporting public transportation for the Olympics), and his current role at TriMet. Doug has a professional background that spans both the private and public sectors, with over 20 years in public transit. He shares his value of having both private and public expertise, and the importance of being customer centric. Doug Kelsey shares TriMet’s update on COVID-19 and the impact it has had on ridership. He shares his focus-principles including, preserving service dollars, retaining employment for the future outlook and the importance of financial flexibility, and centralization in a crisis. If you want to know more about TriMet, check out their website. Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay updated on all the latest industry trends.
S3 E35 · Wed, June 24, 2020
Comfort's Corner: Learning from Past Disruptions
"My purpose is not to be biased [one] way or the other. My purpose is just to use real evidence to help us get through this." As COVID-19 affects public transit dramatically, we're proud to present a special edition of Transit Unplugged led by transit evangelist and Trapeze VP Paul Comfort. In today's episode, we hear from Professor Graham Currie, Professor of Public Transit at Monash University, in Melbourne, Australia. Professor Currey started his career in transit as a Transit Planner for Transport for London, followed by many years in consulting before joining Monash University, where he focuses on academia and research for the transit industry. Graham is also a member of the United States Transportation Research Board (TRB), where he runs the Light Rail Transit Systems Committee. Professor Currey’s recent research focuses on the long-term impacts of COVID-19 and public transit demand – and how public transit will look once the pandemic is over. He leverages past evidence of disruptions, to uncover what they have taught us about public transit ridership, and what this means for the public transit industry, post-COVID-19. This episode also includes a Mike's Minute message and Elea Carey's top 3 elements to consider when planning crisis communications. Plus, listen to a reading from the bestselling new book The Future of Public Transportation.
S3 E34 · Mon, June 15, 2020
Mobility Innovations - ZEBs & AVs with CUTRIC
“The 21st century is about mass transit innovation. If it was shipping in the 19th and automotive in the 20th, it is transit and fast mobility in the 21st.” In this special innovation episode, Josipa Petrunic, Executive Director and CEO of the Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC), joins Transit Unplugged to discuss the innovative projects CUTRIC is focusing on now and into the future. The idea for CUTRIC arose at the Canadian Urban Transit Association, as CUTA Members identified a need to focus on transit innovation, like innovative consortiums in the automotive, pharmaceutical, and aerospace sectors. Josipa, a strong supporter of the transit industry, shares more on CUTRIC’s projects, including a focus on zero-emission buses, autonomous vehicles, and how she believes we can get ridership back up after the pandemic.
S3 E33 · Wed, June 10, 2020
Comfort's Corner: Adapting Mobility Services to Support COVID-19
"Public transportation has a future and we will carve out the future. We will work together with the communities to make sure our values are demonstrated and that everyone can have mobility to improve the quality of life here." In today's episode, hear from Chris O'Claire, Mobility Division Director at King County Metro Transit, as she shares how, along with MV, King County has adapted their mobility services to support the Washington State community during COVID-19. At the start of the pandemic, King County provided food delivery service, and then launched their Transportation for Pandemic Response (TRP) program to help provide safe transportation for COVID-19 positive patients, among other community programs. Plus, listen to a reading from the bestselling new book The Future of Public Transportation.
S3 E32 · Fri, May 29, 2020
India Birdsong - Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority
"With any project, you've got to plan it out." India Birdsong started her career in Community Development before entering the Public Transit Industry with CTA (Chicago Transit Authority). During her ten years at CTA, India held multiple roles within the Planning and Operations departments. After CTA, India joined WeGo Public Transit (formerly Nashville MTA) as their Chief Operating Officer. Now the General Manager and CEO of GCRTA (Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority), India, joins Transit Unplugged to discuss how GCRTA is currently managing through COVID-19 and what projects are in the agency's future, including replacing rail cars, and a bus redesign. If you want to know more about GCRTA, check out their website. Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up date on all the latest industry trends.
S3 E31 · Thu, May 21, 2020
Comfort's Corner: Recovery from COVID-19
"Eventually, as the world returns to normal, whatever that new normal is going to be... people are going to want to return to public transit." As COVID-19 affects public transit dramatically, we're proud to present a special edition of Transit Unplugged led by transit evangelist and Trapeze VP Paul Comfort. In today's episode, Paul shares headline news, including last week's uptake in ridership experienced by TriMet, in Portland, Oregon, as we experience a slow return to normal. We then hear from Kevin Desmond, CEO of TransLink, as he shares how they plan to recover from the COVID-19 crisis and their scalable capital budget plan for the next year. Mike Bismeyer joins us for Mike's Minute, where he reminds us that even during a crisis, we need to maintain our kindness with others. Plus, listen to a reading from the bestselling new book The Future of Public Transportation . To keep informed on COVID-19, please visit the World Health Organization , Government of Canada , or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
S3 E30 · Fri, May 15, 2020
Nuria Fernandez - Valley Transportation Authority
"We have been entrusted with such an important responsibility." Innovation evangelist, mobility game-changer, and transit leader Nuria Fernandez shares her remarkable journey to where she is now - GM and CEO of Santa Clara's Valley Transportation Authority. Born and raised in Panama, she ended up studying civil engineering in the United States, in the "land of caterpillars" state of Illinois. After graduating, her first foray into transit began when she worked at the Panama Canal for one year, before moving back to the US. A lifelong public transit rider, Nuria shares her interesting experiences working for large public transit agencies, as well as in the Clinton Administration at the Department of Transportation, and now also as the 2019-2020 APTA Chair. Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.
S3 E29 · Wed, May 06, 2020
Comfort’s Corner: Designing Technology for Pandemics
“Our job is to … innovate and design technologies that can solve the pandemic issue, address the pandemic issue, or better prepare us for a future that’s even worse.” As COVID-19 affects public transit dramatically, we’re proud to present a special edition of Transit Unplugged led by transit evangelist and Trapeze VP Paul Comfort. In today’s episode, Paul talks about public transit’s advanced cleaning measures to protect employees and riders. Then, hear Josipa Petrunic, Executive Director & CEO of CUTRIC (Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium), talk about innovating and designing technologies for COVID-19 and future pandemics. We also hear from Mike Bismeyer for Mike’s Minute, where he encourages us to stay safe and pay it forward to those in need. Plus, listen to a reading from the bestselling new book The Future of Public Transportation. To keep informed on COVID-19, please visit the World Health Organization , Government of Canada , or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
S3 E28 · Fri, May 01, 2020
Phil Washington – LA Metro
“Our economy is built on those frontline folks, and transit is moving those frontline folks, which makes us the foundation of the foundation.” One of the industry’s top and most respected leaders joins the podcast today – Phil Washington, CEO of LA Metro. He discusses the impact of the coronavirus pandemic – how it has affected Measure M, and he talks about the money received through the federal stimulus package. He also shares some recovery ideas, and questions if some of the changes implemented because of COVID-19 will become the new normal. Finally, Washington gives updates on the transportation school his team is working on. The school will eventually teach grades 9-12. It will focus “on transportation infrastructure, and prioritizes the kids in the foster care system, low-income kids, kids whose parents have been exposed or engaged in the criminal justice system.” At the school, they’ll learn about planning, engineering, public-private partnerships, funding, maintenance, and everything else encompassing transportation infrastructure. It is the first of its kind, and we can’t wait to see it in full force. If you want to know more about LA Metro, check out their website . Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.
S3 E27 · Wed, April 29, 2020
Comfort's Corner: Utilizing Technology During COVID-19
“I use public transit, so I need it to be there.” As COVID-19 affects public transit dramatically, we’re proud to present a special edition of Transit Unplugged, led by transit evangelist and Trapeze VP Paul Comfort. In today's episode, we discuss how transit helps to keep essential workers moving. We then hear from Mike Bismeyer for “Mike’s Minute,” where he challenges us to pay kindness forward. Paul then talks with Pierre Racz, CEO of Genetec, about the potential drawbacks of utilizing thermal cameras. Plus, listen to a reading from the bestselling new book, “The Future of Public Transportation.” To keep informed on COVID-19, please visit the World Health Organization , Government of Canada , or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.
S3 E26 · Mon, April 27, 2020
CEO Roundtable: Preparing For Beyond COVID-19
“I no longer want to go back to normal. I’m ready for something new.” As COVID-19 affects public transit dramatically, we’re proud to present a special edition of Transit Unplugged led by transit evangelist and Trapeze VP Paul Comfort. In today’s episode, join us for an exclusive Executive Roundtable featuring Lauren Skiver (SunLine Transit), Peter Stark (Whatcom Transportation Authority), Elea Carey, and Sam Sargent (Capital Metro). Learn what they're doing to move forward on transit projects during COVID-19 and what to consider as you do, too. To keep informed on COVID-19, please visit the World Health Organization , Government of Canada , or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.
S3 E25 · Fri, April 24, 2020
Comfort's Corner: The Impact of COVID-19 on MaaS
“We need public transportation to come back because we need our cities to come back, and we need our economy to come back.” As COVID-19 affects public transit dramatically, we’re proud to present a special edition of Transit Unplugged led by transit evangelist and Trapeze VP Paul Comfort. In today's episode, we discuss how COVID-19 may lead to the death of the farebox. We then hear from David Zipper, a Visiting Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School's Taubman Center for State and Local Government, about how he believes COVID-19 will influence Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS). Plus, Christian Kent reads his chapter from the bestselling new book, “The Future of Public Transportation.” To keep informed on COVID-19, please visit the World Health Organization , Government of Canada , or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.
S3 E24 · Wed, April 22, 2020
Comfort's Corner: Financial Implications of COVID-19
“We know this too shall pass, and once it does, we have to come out of it prepared to conduct business in a good fiscal manner.” As COVID-19 affects public transit dramatically, we’re proud to present a special edition of Transit Unplugged led by transit evangelist and Trapeze VP Paul Comfort. In today's episode, we discuss how agencies are using technology to manage their transit systems during COVID-19. We then hear from Mike Bismeyer for “Mike’s Monday Minute,” where he encourages us to stay safe and pay it forward to those in need. Paul then talks with Gary Thomas, President of Dallas Area Rapid Transit, about what he believes the lasting financial implications of COVID-19 will be on transit. Plus, listen to Brett Koenig’s chapter from the bestselling new book, “The Future of Public Transportation.” To keep informed on COVID-19, please visit the World Health Organization , Government of Canada , or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.
S3 E23 · Mon, April 20, 2020
CEO Roundtable: Managing Through COVID-19
“This pandemic has really given the public transit industry a gut punch.” As COVID-19 affects public transit dramatically, we’re proud to present a special edition of Transit Unplugged led by transit evangelist and Trapeze VP Paul Comfort. In today’s episode, join us for an exclusive CEO Roundtable featuring Inez Evans (IndyGo), Scott Bogren (CTAA), Wade Coombs (Strathcona County Transit), Julie Timm (GRTC), Kevin Quinn (MTA Baltimore), and Bill Carpenter (RGRTA). Learn how their agencies are managing through COVID-19, what lessons they have learned, and how they believe this pandemic will affect the future of transportation. To keep informed on COVID-19, please visit the World Health Organization , Government of Canada , or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.
S3 E22 · Sat, April 18, 2020
Comfort's Corner: A New Normal After COVID-19
“We have to be extremely focused on what the customers’ needs are, and I think that’s the only way we’re going to get back up to pre COVID-19 ridership levels.” As COVID-19 affects public transit dramatically, we’re proud to present a special edition of Transit Unplugged led by transit evangelist and Trapeze VP Paul Comfort. In today's episode, we discuss how transit agencies are partnering with charitable organizations to help their local communities. We then hear from Erinn Pinkerton, CEO of B.C. Transit, about how she believes public transit will change in the coming months. Plus, listen to a reading from the bestselling new book, “The Future of Public Transportation.” To keep informed on COVID-19, please visit the World Health Organization , Government of Canada , or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.
S3 E21 · Wed, April 15, 2020
Comfort's Corner: Impact of COVID-19 on Business Operations
“This has had a tremendous impact on our bus systems and paratransit systems.” As COVID-19 affects public transit dramatically, we’re proud to present a special edition of Transit Unplugged led by transit evangelist and Trapeze VP Paul Comfort. In today's episode, we discuss how rural communities are dealing with COVID-19, and if there is a federal transit stimulus coming for Canada. We then hear from J. Roger Morton, President and GM of Oahu Transit Services, about the impact COVID-19 is having on his agency and its existing projects. Plus, Jeff Ardnt, CEO of VIA Metropolitan Transit, reads his chapter from the bestselling new book, “The Future of Public Transportation.” To keep informed on COVID-19, please visit the World Health Organization , Government of Canada , or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.
S3 E20 · Wed, April 15, 2020
Eddie Robar – Edmonton Transit Service
“We can truly put our hand on our heart and say we built a system for Edmontonians.” Eddie Robar has a degree in psychology and HR. But he got into the transit world after completing school. It didn’t help him at first, but his schooling is handy as the Branch Manager for Edmonton Transit Services (ETS). Robar talks about ETS’s network redesign, where 40,000 residents participated in feedback – ultimately, changing its original transit plan by ~20% to match community response. He shares how ETS’s new name and network are about a “connected service, a connected network, for a connected community.” Electric buses are also a hot topic – ETS ordered 40 Proterra buses. The process was a bit harder than they thought as they tried to solve three problems: long-term maintenance of the vehicles, charging simplification and garage space, and flipping a fleet from diesel to electric. Finally, Robar shares one of the items he’s most proud of during his time at ETS – its low-income pass program. The pass program has a tremendous impact on those classified as low-income. “People don’t have to choose between whether they go to work today or whether they go get groceries.” There is a ton going on for ETS, and if you want to know more, check out their website . Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.
S3 E19 · Tue, April 14, 2020
Comfort's Corner: Protecting Your Workforce During COVID-19
“This pandemic is like the entire nation is having a hurricane that just won’t go away.” As COVID-19 affects public transit dramatically, we’re proud to present a special edition of Transit Unplugged led by transit evangelist and Trapeze VP Paul Comfort. In today's episode, we discuss some of the unintended consequences agencies are dealing with after removing fares. We then hear from Mike Bismeyer for “Mike’s Monday Minute,” where he encourages us to stay safe and pay it forward to those in need. Paul then talks with Jeff Arndt, President and CEO of VIA Metropolitan Transit, about what changes his agency is making and their plans for the FTA funding they received. Plus, listen to a reading from the bestselling new book, “The Future of Public Transportation.” To keep informed on COVID-19, please visit the World Health Organization , Government of Canada , or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.
S3 E18 · Fri, April 10, 2020
Comfort's Corner: Changing The Public Narrative During COVID-19
“I think the moment that public transit has right now is to really change the narrative in the COVID-19 environment.” As COVID-19 affects public transit dramatically, we’re proud to present a special edition of Transit Unplugged led by transit evangelist and Trapeze VP Paul Comfort. In today's episode, we discuss the guidelines released by the CDC for both transit drivers and passengers. We then hear from Elea Carey, who shares why she believes now is public transit’s time to shine, and Paul talks about the impacts of lost farebox revenue. Finally, hear Robbie Makinen’s foreword from the bestselling new book, “The Future of Public Transportation.” To keep informed on COVID-19, please visit the World Health Organization , Government of Canada , or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.
S3 E17 · Wed, April 08, 2020
Comfort's Corner: How Agencies Can Recover From COVID-19
“I do think that when we get out of this COVID-19 world, transit will go back to where it was before.” As COVID-19 affects public transit dramatically, we’re proud to present a special edition of Transit Unplugged led by transit evangelist and Trapeze VP Paul Comfort. In today's episode, we discuss some of the ways transit agencies are using this service downtime productively. We then hear from Peter Varga, APTA Board Member and former CEO of The Rapid transit system, about his thoughts on how agencies can recover from COVID-19 and the impact of the U.S. federal transit stimulus package. Peter then reads his chapter on the Federal Transit Authority from the bestselling new book, “The Future of Public Transportation.” To keep informed on COVID-19, please visit the World Health Organization , Government of Canada , or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.
S3 E16 · Mon, April 06, 2020
Comfort's Corner: Operating Paratransit Services During COVID-19
“Over the years, we have seen a lot of change in the paratransit industry, but certainly nothing quite like what we’re going through now.” As COVID-19 affects public transit dramatically, we’re proud to present a special edition of Transit Unplugged led by transit evangelist and Trapeze VP Paul Comfort. In today's episode, we discuss some of the ways transit agencies are adapting due to COVID-19, including partnering with food banks and delivering groceries. We then hear from Mike Bismeyer for “Mike’s Monday Minute,” where he encourages us to stay safe and pay it forward to those in need. Paul then talks with Jeff Zarr, Senior Demand Response Consultant at Trapeze Group, about what he’s hearing from paratransit agencies across the country and some of the changes they are implementing. Plus, guest author David Pickeral shares his Q&A chapter from the bestselling new book, “The Future of Public Transportation.” To keep informed on COVID-19, please visit the World Health Organization , Government of Canada , or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.
S3 E15 · Fri, April 03, 2020
Comfort’s Corner: Implementing A Zero-Fare System During COVID-19
“We will try and use the resources and funding we have to keep everyone fully employed, socially distanced, and safe.” As COVID-19 affects public transit dramatically, we’re proud to present a special edition of Transit Unplugged led by transit evangelist and Trapeze VP Paul Comfort. In today's episode, we discuss the release of U.S. federal funds for transit agencies, and what that will mean for your agency. We then hear from Julie Timm, CEO of the Greater Richmond Transit Company, about GRTC’s new zero-fare system and how they’re trying to keep unnecessary transit ridership down. Plus, guest author Paola Realpozo shares her chapter on the future of passenger rail from the bestselling new book, “The Future of Public Transportation.” To keep informed on COVID-19, please visit the World Health Organization , Government of Canada , or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.
S3 E14 · Wed, April 01, 2020
Comfort's Corner: Managing an Essential Business During COVID-19
“We’re going to get through this crisis like everyone else, we’re going to come out the other side of this, and I think the industry will be even healthier.” As COVID-19 affects public transit dramatically, we’re proud to present a special edition of Transit Unplugged led by transit evangelist and Trapeze VP Paul Comfort. In today's episode, we discuss how the newest changes in the public transport industry, including layoffs and social distancing procedures. We then hear from John Walsh, Senior VP of Sales at Proterra, about how to operate an essential business during COVID-19 and what shelter-in-place orders reveal about the necessity of electric vehicles. Plus, Paul shares another reading from his bestselling new book, “The Future of Public Transportation.” To keep informed on COVID-19, please visit the World Health Organization , Government of Canada , or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.
S3 E13 · Tue, March 31, 2020
Wade Coombs – Strathcona County Transit
“My goal is to make every operator the best operator they can be.” Wade Coombs started his transit career washing buses for Saskatoon Transit. Shortly after, he became an operator and eventually worked his way into management. Now he’s Director of Transit for Strathcona County Transit. In this episode, Coombs discusses regionalization and what it is like working with seven other transit operators within the Edmonton Metro area, and how they are working on a single, Smart Fare system. Coombs also shares the importance of creating good relationships with employees and advises on how to grow your transit career. Finally, he goes into how they’ve created efficiencies to make their budget work smarter and how they are working on a pilot for on-demand services for off-peak rides. If you want to know more about Strathcona County Transit, check out their website . Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.
S3 E12 · Mon, March 30, 2020
Comfort's Corner: March 30/31, 2020
“Our ridership is way down, revenues aren’t coming in, but transit operators are still continuing to provide lifeline services.” On today's episode, we discuss how Washington D.C.’s stimulus package will affect the transit industry, and then hear from Mike for "Mike's Monday Minute," a selection of feel-good stories and highlights. We then have a Newsmaker interview with Marco D’Angelo, CEO of the Canadian Urban Transit Association, on what's been happening with Canadian legislation, and some bigger-picture impacts of COVID-19. Plus, Paul shares a reading from his bestselling new book, “The Future of Public Transportation.” To keep informed on COVID-19, please visit the World Health Organization , Government of Canada , or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.
S3 E11 · Wed, March 18, 2020
Managing Public Transit Through COVID-19
“It’s easier to manage the hecticness when you have a plan in place." Community safety is a paramount concern during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether it’s your riders or employees, it’s essential to understand what you can do to help limit the spread of the novel coronavirus. While things are changing rapidly, six guests talk about how they are handling COVID-19. As they develop plans for different scenarios, all of them have increased cleaning and sanitation measures. You’ll hear from transit leaders from the U.S.A. (MATA, DART, OmniRide, Texas Transit Association), Canada (Saskatoon Transit), and Australia (Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies). To keep informed on COVID-19, please visit the World Health Organization , Government of Canada , or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.
S3 E10 · Mon, March 16, 2020
Carter Pate – LogistiCare Solutions
“Don’t ever lose sight of the importance of the people in your organization.” Non-emergency medical transportation is a fundamental transportation option for those going to see a healthcare professional. Carter Pate, Interim CEO of LogistiCare, joins Transit Unplugged to talk about some of the nuances of this part of the transportation world and the importance of efficiency in Medicare and Medicaid scenarios. Pate also has numerous leadership roles (PwC, MV Transportation), and shares his advice on how to become a good leader. He also thinks the most exciting years of mobility are in front of us, highlighting the future benefits of artificial intelligence and driverless vehicles. If you want to know more about LogistiCare, check out their website . Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.
S3 E9 · Wed, March 11, 2020
Mobility Innovations – Alternative Fuels
“Electric technology should be part of the strategy of every transit agency.” – Ryan Popple Recently, there’s a great emphasis on lowering emissions and using clean energy. In the past, public transit did that with hybrid-electric vehicles. While many agencies primarily still operate diesel fleets, with a smattering of electric in the mix, new fuels and propulsion systems are rapidly entering the market, pushing transit toward zero-emission buses. In this special mobility innovations episode, you’ll get to hear from some of the leading experts of alternative fuel options within public transit. Discover the jumps Proterra has made in electric vehicle technology over the years. Learn about hydrogen fuel and the amazing work SunLine Transit is doing – going so far as creating hydrogen fuel. Finally, you’ll hear about (Dallas) DART’s progression into using compressed natural gas (CNG). Check out Proterra , SunLine , or DART if you want to learn more. Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.
S3 E8 · Fri, February 28, 2020
Stephen Bland – WeGo Public Transit
“I don’t look at anything as a failure. I look at it as a learning experience.” When the best-laid plans go a bit awry, what do you do? Stephen Bland, CEO of WeGo Public Transit, learns, reassesses, and keeps moving forward. Stephen has spent his career in public transit. He’s run small agencies that have as few as eight buses. And now he is running the show in Nashville, Tennessee, where they carry 35,000 passengers each weekday. Nashville’s infrastructure was built around the personal automobile. The need for change and investment in public transit was recognized. In 2018, there was an ambitious referendum to provide $8-9 Billion towards a transit investment program. Unfortunately, it failed. The failure of the referendum wasn’t the outcome Nashville MTA (the agency name at the time) was looking for, but with the leadership of Bland, Nashville pushed forward. In this episode of Transit Unplugged, Bland talks about why the referendum failed, but how their plans set them up for future success, and how that also led them to rebrand to WeGo Public Transit. Additionally, the referendum helped them establish future plans, and Bland talks about some of the things they are still able to move forward with – new transit centers, new account-based faring programs, and transit signal priority projects. He also dives into their Better Bus program that eliminates redundant routes and stops. You won’t want to miss this one. And if you want to know more about WeGo, check out their website . Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.
S3 E7 · Fri, February 14, 2020
Jeffrey Parker – Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority
“While we have to think about the future, we also have to think about the here and now and making sure that we’re improving the customer experience.” Atlanta and the surrounding area is the third fastest-growing region in the U.S. That means more people and more traffic, so public transit is essential to help boost the economic vitality and development of the region along with reducing congestion. Jeffrey Parker, GM and CEO of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), joins Transit Unplugged to talk about the present and future for the agency. Parker discusses the importance of MARTA becoming a more customer-centric organization – improving the reliability of the bus service, implementing new bus stops, and renovating rail stations are just part of this larger picture. Additionally, he highlights MARTA’s plans for new bus rapid transit and light rail services, and how it is essential to still focus on state of good repair while expanding service. If you want to know more about MARTA, check out their website . Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.
S3 E6 · Fri, January 31, 2020
Shelby County, Tennessee
“We've got to move people around our region and get them more access to jobs.” – Lee Harris, Mayor of Shelby County Funding for public transportation is a concern for every transit executive. Gary Rosenfeld, CEO of the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA), and Lee Harris, Mayor of Shelby County, are working hard to secure a $10 million increase in funding for MATA and the Shelby County area. For this to work, they need the county to invest in public transit for the first time. MATA is in an interesting position because it serves the entire Shelby County area, and the additional funds will go directly to increasing route frequency throughout the county. Listen to how they purpose to raise the additional funds – maybe you can get some ideas for your region. They also share the importance of transit funding, especially as an attempt to reduce the poverty rate. Check out MATA , Shelby County , Transit Vision , or future4transit.com if you want to learn more. Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.
S3 E5 · Wed, January 15, 2020
Butch McDuffie and Ron Kilcoyne – Athens Transit and Transportation Management & Design Inc.
“No one is going to use transit unless they feel it meets their needs” – Ron Kilcoyne There are two guests this week on Transit Unplugged – Butch McDuffie, Director of Athens Transit, and Ron Kilcoyne, Senior Manager at Transportation Management & Design Inc. (TMD Inc.). Butch discusses Athens’ bus art shelter program, what it was like building a transit facility with zero federal dollars, and the unique qualities of running transit in a major college town. Ron shares his three-legged stool strategy for growing and sustaining ridership. He also talks about rebooting networks and when to add microtransit. Check out TMD Inc. or Athens Transit if you want to learn more. Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.
S3 E4 · Tue, December 31, 2019
David Franks – Keolis Downer
“Passenger railway does a good job [in Australia] moving big numbers of people into city centers.” Bidding 2019 goodbye, Paul Comfort breaks down the top three trends from interviewing transit’s top leaders over the past year. He highlights autonomous vehicles, mobility as a service, and strategies to increase ridership. Additionally, we end 2019 with an interview from David Franks, CEO of Keolis Downer. Having spent time in UK, Irish, and Australian rail systems, Franks shares some of the differences of the regions. He also discusses how one of their light rail systems has 100% OTP (against its contractual commitments) and their new light rail line that doesn’t have catenary wires. If you want to know more about Keolis Downer, check out their website . Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.
S3 E3 · Mon, December 16, 2019
Dinero Washington - SporTran
“Anything we can do to make the people’s vision, the people’s goal, and the people’s plan is part of what we’re trying to produce.” Culture is a big proponent of how Dinero Washington tries to run SporTran. As CEO, Dinero understands that culture facilitates a good working environment and is a way for employees to buy-in to your transit agency. “Sometimes, you forget your employees are who truly make the agency successful.” But it isn’t just the agency staff that helps drive the direction of SporTran. The passengers and the community are paramount to building a successful network. In this episode of Transit Unplugged, Dinero walks us through the step-by-step process of how he created the new vision and mission for SporTran. Through community engagement with over 200 meetings, SporTran’s four-year project finally concluded with a revamped network eliminating over half of its bus stops with reduced headways – some by up to an hour. This episode shows the true value of listening. So, sit back, and listen to the great insights from one of the only agencies in the US with a massive increase in ridership. If you listen, you might just pick up a few tricks. If you want to know more about SporTran, check out their website . Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.
S3 E2 · Fri, November 29, 2019
CUTA Live
“We measure economic, environmental, and social benefits and try to drive to that bottom line.” – Doug Morgan, Director at Calgary Transit “As transit people, we have to figure out how we add value to people's lives.” – Phil Verster, President and CEO at Metrolinx “I did it really wrong before I learned how to do it right.” – Eddie Robar, Branch Manager at Edmonton Transit Service “What is the role of all transit agencies? And how is our role changing in the entire industry?” – Erinn Pinkerton, President and CEO at BC Transit Recorded live at the CUTA 2019 Annual Conference and Transit Show, Transit Unplugged brings you another fantastic look at what top leaders are doing within the transit industry. These four leaders discuss their leadership style, the importance of taking risks, and why diversity in the workforce matters. They also discuss unique agency structures, dealing with massive capital investment programs, bus network redesigns, the electrification of their fleets, and the use of CNG vehicles. This episode caps off our little tour through Canada. And it’s always good to end on a high note. Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.
S3 E1 · Fri, November 22, 2019
Mobility Innovations - Robert Puentes
“You can choose what you want the future to look like.” One-hundred years ago, Mr. William P. Eno started a transportation specific think tank. The Eno Center of Transportation (Eno) provides government and industry leaders with timely research and pragmatic fact-based voices on policy issues. It publishes rigorous, objective analysis of critical and emergent issues facing the transportation arena. Today, Robert Puentes, President and CEO of Eno, joins Transit Unplugged and shares with us the three primary ways Eno supports the transportation industry – communication and outreach, working on policy issues, and providing the industry with a professional development program. In this episode, Robert discusses some hot topics facing the public transportation industry – congestion pricing, mobility as a service, autonomous vehicles, and infrastructure projects. He shares his knowledge and excitement of some of the pilot programs happening within the U.S.A. and highlights some global trends that you might be able to use to your advantage. If you want to know more about Eno, check out their website . Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.
S2 E36 · Fri, November 15, 2019
Phil Verster - Metrolinx
“In transit, we sometimes err on the side of the known rather than on the side of the innovative.” On the second anniversary of Transit Unplugged, Paul sits down with Phil Verster, President and CEO of Metrolinx. Metrolinx is a Crown corporation (state-owned enterprise) of the Ontario government, in Canada, and is the planning organization for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). Metrolinx operates commuter bus and rail, and the Union Pearson Express (an airport express running between Union Station in Toronto and Toronto Pearson International Airport). Metrolinx is also in charge of major construction projects that will expand service in the GTHA worth ~$30 billion. With so much investment, one of Phil’s main priorities is to run Metrolinx like a business to lessen the burden on the taxpayer. His goal is to, at a minimum, generate enough revenue to break-even. Some of the ways Phil plans to do this is by generating revenue from corporations to name a station, reducing the standard fare by one dollar to help increase ridership, or offering off-peak service to gain additional riders. Finally, Phil discusses the importance of customer satisfaction and why safety is his number one focus. It’s a great episode to celebrate Transit Unplugged turning two. Thank you for listening and for being with us on this ride. If you want to know more about Metrolinx, check out their website . Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.
S2 E37 · Thu, October 31, 2019
Debbie Dalle Vedove – Hamilton Street Railway
“The best thing that probably happened to the transit industry was some healthy competition.” Debbie Dalle Vedove started her transit career as an operator. She moved up the ladder and transitioned to a few different agencies before finally landing the top spot at Hamilton Street Railway (HSR). Debbie, now the Director of Transit for HSR, uses her experience as a frontline worker to transform HSR into a customer-centric organization. The transit world is changing quickly, and competition means that people now have a choice other than personal vehicles or public transit. The focus HSR has on the customer will help redevelop their network, one that includes a new light rail system (in conjunction with Metrolinx), and give them a chance to stand out from the competition. Debbie talks about their customer survey (with ~6000 participants) and how they are going to use that to figure out how to provide service to where people want to go. Finally, she shares a story of celebrating Maurice Powell, who has been an HSR bus driver for 50 years (and counting). Maurice fits perfectly into Debbie’s customer-centric vision as he is “excellent with the customers, and it is really, really amazing that he's able to do that [every day].” If you want to know more about HSR, check out their website . Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.
S2 E35 · Tue, October 15, 2019
Kevin Desmond – TransLink
“We're all here for one reason, to provide service to a customer.” TransLink is the recipient of APTA’s 2019 Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award. TransLink’s CEO, Kevin Desmond, discusses their impressive 18% growth in ridership from 2016-2018, and how their customer-centric mindset was paramount in winning this prestigious award. Desmond also talks about their open innovation call and some recent innovations they’ve introduced. He shares his thoughts on the foundation for a successful transit agency (land use and transit hubs). Finally, he suggests that “the decade of the 2020s is liable to see massive disruptive change in our industry,” and how that plays into the three primary focuses for TransLink’s future – expansion, partnering with disrupters, and electrification of their fleet. If you want to know more about TransLink, check out their website . Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.
S2 E34 · Mon, September 30, 2019
Erinn Pinkerton – BC Transit
“Our motto is, ‘We’ll do whatever it takes to get it done.’” BC Transit has a service area of 944,000 square kilometers (360,000 square miles – which is about 40% larger than Texas) and encompasses 130 communities with ~1200 buses and 81 different transit systems. It’s quite the job, and Erinn Pinkerton, President and CEO at BC Transit, is up to the challenge. Pinkerton discusses BC Transit’s unique structure and how they leverage their partnerships (purchasing power, building and contract expertise, rolling out pilots after deemed successful). She also talks about their funding structure and how that works between the provincial and local governments or transit agencies. Finally, she explores her customer-centric focus (including things like travel training), considerations for clean energy, and thoughts on rideshare. If you want to know more about BC Transit, check out their website . Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.
S2 E33 · Mon, September 16, 2019
Rocky Donahue – Pace Suburban Bus
“I like to hear what we do well, but I really want to hear what we can do better.” Rocky Donahue started his career at Pace Suburban Bus (Pace) as a financial analyst. Thirty-seven years later, he is still at Pace and is now the Executive Director. Pace operates suburban bus, ADA paratransit, on-demand services, and vanpool in one of the largest service areas in the US. As ridership and congestion issues plague North America, Donahue does a deep dive into their new arterial rapid transit (ART) system. Unlike bus rapid transit, ART doesn’t have a dedicated lane but uses technology to reduce travel times and gain riders’ trust. Counter to the declining ridership trend, their bus on the shoulder program has seen incredible increases in ridership over the past few years. The new ART system hopes to gain similar popularity. Find out about that and more on this episode of Transit Unplugged. If you want to know more about Pace, check out their website . Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.
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