Transit Unplugged

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 Comfort01:35 Welcome to Transit Unplugged Live: CEO Roundtable02:04 The State of Public Transit: Challenges and Changes03:42 Innovative Solutions in Transit: Sacramento's Story06:19 Addressing Transit's Relevance and Financial Sustainability06:45 Operational Efficiency and Service Adaptation in Boston09:47 Redefining Transit's Role in the Community13:52 The CEO Experience: Leading in Transit23:39 Lightning Round: Future Directions and Innovations29:14 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

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 badWorking with multiple city councils for approvals and fundingJustin'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 producerJulie Gates, executive producerTris Hussey, editor and writerTatyana Mechkarova, social mediaFollow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads- Instagram - FacebookSign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter00:00 Welcome to Transit Unplugged00:15 Introducing Justin Stuenberg and Madison Metro Transit01:38 Madison's Unique Transit Challenges and Solutions05:13 Funding and Operational Structure of Madison Metro07:03 Revolutionizing Transit: Bus Network Redesign and BRT Implementation18:15 Looking Ahead: Future Projects and Personal Insights21:43 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

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 producerJulie Gates, executive producerTris Hussey, editor and writerTatyana Mechkarova, social mediaFollow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads- Instagram - FacebookSign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter00:00 Welcome to Transit Unplugged00:05 Introducing Mayor David Holt and Oklahoma City's Transit Vision02:04 The Geography and Demographics of Oklahoma City05:33 Embark: Oklahoma City's Public Transit System07:42 The Evolution of Public Transit in Oklahoma City12:37 Funding Transit: The Role of MAPS Initiatives16:32 The Future of Transit: Regional Transit Authority and Light Rail Plans22:32 Political Perspectives on Transit and Closing Thoughts27:24 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

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/@transitunpluggedIn 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 - https://goo.gl/JFk66P . Used with permission.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 producerJulie Gates, executive producerTris Hussey, editor and writerTatyana Mechkarova, social mediaFollow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads- Instagram -

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 producerJulie Gates, executive producerTris Hussey, editor and writerTatyana Mechkarova, social mediaFollow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads- Instagram - FacebookSign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter00:00 Frank White, III and KCATA00:57 Inside the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority01:44 Frank White III: From Marketing Director to CEO02:56 Revolutionizing Public Transit in Kansas City05:14 Navigating Financial Challenges and Fare-Free Transit08:47 Empowering the Team and Defending Transit's Value12:48 Exploring Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) in Kansas City15:34 The Future of Transit: BRT Lines and Beyond20:56 Wrap up with Paul Comfort21:45 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

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 carsWhy accessibility trumps speedThe need to get the crash out of the system and get the mass out of the systemWhat automakers have missed over the past few decadesHow we can create a safer transportation ecosystemWhy Larry is so optimistic about the futureListen here:Apple Podcasts: linkGoogle Podcasts: linkSpotify: linkLinks:Larry’s website: https://www.lawrencedburns.org/Autonomy book: https://www.amazon.com/Autonomy-Quest-Driverless-Car-Reshape/dp/0062661124Larry’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 Sustainable Mobility at Columbia University, a consultant to Google Self-Driving Cars/Waymo and an advisor to several major companies.Larry is the author of Autonomy: The Quest to Build the Driverless Car—And How It Will Reshape Our World (with Christopher Shulgan and published by Ecco / HarperCollins on August 28, 2018).Future of Mobility:The Future of Mobility podcast is focused on the development and implementation of safe, sustainable, effective, and accessible mobility solutions, with a spotlight on the people and technology advancing these fields.linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/

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-transitWe 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-0Midwest 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 producerJulie Gates, executive producerTris Hussey, editor and writerTatyana Mechkarova, social mediaFollow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads- Instagram - FacebookSign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter00:00 Introduction to Hydrogen Fuel in Public Transportation00:35 Insights from Experts: Kirt Conrad and Tim Sasseen02:25 Understanding Different Types of Fuel03:49 The Role of Hydrogen in Decarbonization15:04 The Practicalities of Hydrogen Buses21:57 Final Thoughts and Future Prospects24:54 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

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 producerJulie Gates, executive producerTris Hussey, editor and writerTatyana Mechkarova, social mediaFollow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Instagram - FacebookSign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter00:00 Introduction and Overview01:26 Exploring Tulsa's History and Architecture05:25 Downtown Tulsa: A Blend of Old and New07:07 Transit in Tulsa: Past, Present, and Future09:23 Unveiling the Hidden Tunnels of Tulsa13:01 Reflections on Transit and City Planning18:00 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

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 cityHis career in transitThe overwhelming success of microtransit and merging it with paratransit operationsHis plans for expanding Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) to Route 66 for the 100th anniversaryAnd the path to lower emissions with CNG and battery-electric busesAfter 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 producerJulie Gates, executive producerTris Hussey, editor and writerTatyana Mechkarova, social mediaFollow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Instagram - FacebookSign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter00:00 Introduction and Background00:21 Rebranding and the New Name01:22 Exploring the Transit System02:38 The Future of Transit in Tulsa12:29 Reflections and Conclusions17:56 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

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 producerJulie Gates, executive producerTris Hussey, editor and writerTatyana Mechkarova, social mediaFollow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Instagram - FacebookSign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter00:03 Introduction and Overview from Paul Comfort01:10 The Role of Amtrak in Public Transportation02:22 Stephen Gardner's Journey in Railroading06:23 Amtrak's Future Plans and Investments11:46 The Importance of High-Speed Rail29:13 Amtrak's Impact on Rural America36:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts39:55 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

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:Paul Comfort, host and producerJulie Gates, executive producerTris Hussey, editor and writerTatyana Mechkarova, social mediaFollow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Instagram - FacebookSign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter00:00 Holly Arnold: Building a career at the Maryland MTA01:38 Overview of the Maryland Transit Administration02:55 Discussion on the Purple...

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 producerJulie Gates, executive producerTris Hussey, editor and writerTatyana Mechkarova, social mediaFollow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Instagram - FacebookSign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter0:00 What's the secret sauce to increasing ridership 27% in one year?00:03 Introduction and Overview01:44 The Success of Mississauga's Transit System04:27 The Secret Sauce: How Mississauga Grew Ridership12:01 Eve's Leadership Philosophy and Approach19:00 The Future of Transit in...

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 producerJulie Gates, executive producerTris Hussey, editor and writerTatyana Mechkarova, social media0:00 Transit is an essential lifeblood in rural communities00:25 Guest Introductions and backgrounds03:36 The Importance of Transit in Rural Areas10:26 Challenges in Rural Transportation14:21 Looking Ahead: The Future of Rural Transit22:58 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

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 WorksIn 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.comSubscribe to our newsletter at https://www.transitunplugged.comTransit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.comTransit Unplugged team:Paul Comfort, host and producerJulie Gates, executive producerTris Hussey, editor and writerTatyana Mechkarova, social media00:00 Interview with Ed Redfern, Joel Rubin, Brooke Ramsey, and Julia Castillo01:13 Introduction and Panel Discussion on Bus Shortage02:28 Understanding the Role and Challenges of the Bus Coalition06:39 Discussion on the Rising Costs and Supply Chain Issues12:32 Exploring Potential Solutions: Buy America Waiver and More22:22 Interview with Patrick Scully22:28 Insights from Complete Coachworks: Overhauls, Used Equipment, and Conversions30:11 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

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 producerJulie Gates, executive producerTris Hussey, editor and writerTatyana Mechkarova, social media00:04 Introduction and Background of Adam Barth02:42 Adam Barth's Career Journey in Transit Industry05:06 Learning from Mistakes: A Key to Success08:01 The Merger of City and County Transit Systems11:09 Challenges and Future Plans for Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority20:56 The Importance of Riding the System as a Transit Leader24:30 Don't miss the Executive Summit at ThinkTransit March 25th!26:04 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

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 producerJulie Gates, executive producerTris Hussey, editor and writerTatyana Mechkarova, social media00:03 Introduction and Background01:17 Interview with Ken Divers and Flora Castillo02:03 The Birth of the SCOPE Program05:49 The Journey and Impact of Kenneth Divers09:24 The Approach and Success of the SCOPE Program13:16 Partnerships and Future Directions20:46 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

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 Welcome01:25 Interview with Congressman Earl Blumenauer05:47 Discussion on Streetcars and Public Transit09:52 Congressman's Career and Achievements24:13 Future Plans and Final Thoughts26:31 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

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 Mollet00:02 Introduction and Guest Overview00:50 Reflecting on the Success of Transit Unplugged in 202303:00 Discussion with APTA Leaders: Reflecting on 2023 and Looking Ahead to 202403:52 Insights from Paul Skoutelas on APTA and Public Transit05:47 Discussion on Public and Private Sector Collaboration07:26 Challenges and Successes in Public Transit in 202315:06 International Perspectives on Public Transit15:17 Insights from International Study Missions19:50 Looking Ahead: Trends and Predictions for 202426:53 Closing Remarks27:51 Coming up next on Transit Unplugged

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 Comfort01:48 Introduction and Background of Transdev Canada04:37 Understanding Public-Private Partnerships09:58 The Role of Contractors in Public Transit15:50 Future Trends in Public Transit23:19 The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Public Transit26:01 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

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.com0:00 Is the great hydrogen pivot coming to transit in 2024?00:00 Introduction to Edmonton's Transit Innovations01:39 Edmonton's Transition to Alternate Fuels02:38 Edmonton's Electrification Journey05:24 Inside Edmonton's Hydrogen Powered Buses09:11 Career Pathways in Public Transportation11:33 ThinkTransit Registration is open!13:05 Interview with Carrie Hotton-MacDonald, Head of Edmonton Transit13:16 In the Kathleen Andrews Bus Garage14:32 Dispatch area14:56 Operator Lounge15:24 In the garage--charging infrastructure16:13 How buses are charged17:28 Inside an electric bus19:12 Dealing with the cold and scale of the garage23:15 Edmonton's New LRT Line and Future Plans25:18 Outside the bus garage