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...
Dec 04, 2024•21 min•Season 8Ep. 5
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 givi...
Nov 27, 2024•21 min•Season 8Ep. 4
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 Bipartisa...
Nov 20, 2024•50 min•Season 8Ep. 3
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 Me...
Nov 13, 2024•24 min•Season 8Ep. 2
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 f...
Nov 06, 2024•39 min•Season 8Ep. 1
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 peop...
Oct 30, 2024•24 min•Season 7Ep. 53
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 S...
Oct 25, 2024•11 min
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 Superinte...
Oct 23, 2024•21 min•Season 7Ep. 52
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 transpor...
Oct 16, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 7Ep. 51
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 i...
Oct 09, 2024•17 min•Season 7Ep. 50
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 Ub...
Oct 02, 2024•24 min•Season 7Ep. 49
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 ...
Sep 25, 2024•33 min•Season 7Ep. 48
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 Transpor...
Sep 18, 2024•26 min•Season 7Ep. 47
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 ...
Sep 11, 2024•27 min•Season 7Ep. 46
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 th...
Sep 04, 2024•36 min•Season 7Ep. 45
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 ...
Aug 28, 2024•22 min•Season 7Ep. 44
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 th...
Aug 21, 2024•24 min•Season 7Ep. 43
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 c...
Aug 14, 2024•23 min•Season 7Ep. 42
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...
Aug 07, 2024•20 min•Season 7Ep. 41
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 ...
Jul 31, 2024•23 min•Season 7Ep. 40
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 MET...
Jul 24, 2024•32 min•Season 7Ep. 39
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...
Jul 17, 2024•23 min•Season 7Ep. 38
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 st...
Jul 10, 2024•24 min•Season 7Ep. 37
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...
Jul 03, 2024•34 min•Season 7Ep. 36
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 ex...
Jun 26, 2024•26 min•Season 7Ep. 35
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 tren...
Jun 19, 2024•18 min•Season 7Ep. 34
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 congestio...
Jun 12, 2024•25 min•Season 7Ep. 33
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 cri...
Jun 05, 2024•25 min•Season 7Ep. 32
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 a...
May 29, 2024•30 min•Season 7Ep. 31
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 an...
May 22, 2024•44 min•Season 7Ep. 30
