“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.  

“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.  

“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.  

“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.  

“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.  

“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.  

“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.  

“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.  

“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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

“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.

“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.

“[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.

“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 AuthorityRobbie Makinen, President and Chief Executive Officer at the Kansas City Area Transportation AuthorityAlexander Schulze, Senior Project Manager at AMoTechLauren Skiver, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager at Sunline TransitPhil Verster, President and Chief Executive Officer at MetrolinxAndy Byford, Commissioner of Transit for LondonErinn Pinkerton, President and Chief Executive Officer at BC Transit William Harrell, President and Chief Executive Officer at Hampton Roads TransitChris O’Claire, Mobility Division Director at King County MetroPhil Washington, Chief Executive Officer at LA Metro

“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.

“[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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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!

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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. 

“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.

“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. 

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.

 "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. 

“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.

“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).

“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. 

“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.

"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.

“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.

"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.

 "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.

"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.

"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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.