METROspectives

By METRO Magazine

Brought to you by METRO Magazine, METROspectives discusses all the latest topics impacting mobility, public transportation, the private motorcoach industry and more.... more

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FAQs about METROspectives:

How many episodes does METROspectives have?

The podcast currently has 56 episodes available.

METROspectives episodes:

October 19, 2023The Unique Challenges Facing Smaller Transit Agencies and More with CTAA’s Scott Bogren
Welcome back to METROspectives.
Today, Scott Bogren, Executive Director for the Community
Transportation Association of America (CTAA), joins METRO’s Executive Editor
Alex Roman.

Topics include:
What issues CTAA members are currently facing,
including procurement and vehicle availability.

New (and old) mobility approaches to better
serve communities.

The ongoing funding issues for smaller transit
agencies even after the IIJA infusion.

Workforce challenges, the fare-free
conversation, marketing, and more.

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⏱ Timestamps ⏱
00:00 Intro
00:35 Podcasts and the Pandemic
2:05 Who the CTAA Represents and How it Helps Membership
3:10 Unique Challenges Facing CTAA Members
4:15 What It’s Like to be at CTAA for 35 Years
5:50 Procurement and Supply Chain Issues
7:52 Running a Lean Operation
9:20 New Mobility Models vs What Small and Rurals Have
Always Done
11:50 Post-COVID Ridership
13:30 Do Smaller Agencies Have the Capacity to Embrace
Technology?
14:38 The Fare-Free Conversation
16:30 Funding Approaches for Smaller Transit Agencies
18:13 The Changing Community Dynamic and Ballot Measures
20:40 IIJA as a Positive Step
21:48 Future Proofing Public Transit
24:20 Addressing the Workforce Shortage/Insuring Operator Safety
...more
29min
October 13, 2023Part One with Vontas CEO Peter Aczel
Welcome back to METROspectives. Today, Peter Aczel, CEO for Vontas, joins METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman.

Topics include:
The company’s product portfolio

Its Innovative Solutions Award victory with Fresno, Calif.’s FAX

How Vontas completed the FAX project in 10 months

A sneak peak on what’s in store at APTA’s TRANSform & EXPO in Orlando, Fla.

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⏱ Timestamps ⏱
0:00 Intro
00:49 A Look At The Services Vontas Provides
2:00 Reaction to Winning A 2023 Innovative Solutions Award
3:05 How It Teamed with FAX to Revamp Its System in 10 Months
4:50 What’s in Store for APTA’s 2023 EXPO
5:55 Hosting Paul Comfort at The Event…and His Banana Bread!
...more
7min
July 06, 2023Talking ZEBs With CALSTART’s Jared Schnader
Welcome back to METROspectives. Today, Jared Schnader, Sr. Director, Bus Initiative Lead, at
CALSTART, joins METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman.

Topics include:
New lessons learned at more and more agencies scale up their ZEB programs.
The importance of planning for the ultimate goal when working with utilities.

The viability of zero-emissions being scaled nationwide.

Hydrogen and the possibility for the further evolution of ZEB technologies.

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Follow and connect with METRO Magazine on social media! Connect with METRO on ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠. Like METRO on ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠. Follow METRO on ⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠.

⏱ Timestamps ⏱
0:00 Intro
0:52 What CALSTART Does
3:07 The Transition to Zero
6:05 Transit Scaling Up ZEB Programs
9:00 Are Mandatory Larger Procurements on The Way?
10:05 Working with Utilities on The Ultimate Goal
12:32 Resiliency Planning
14:00 Is There Room for Other Alt Fuels?
16:44 ZEB Tech Evolving
18:20 Workforce Opportunities
19:40 The Viability of The Whole Nation Scaling Up ZEBs
23:05 How Hydrogen Fits Into The Picture
25:30 Are There New Innovations in The Offing?
...more
29min
May 02, 2023Thinking Out of the Box to Build New Transit Models with John Andoh
Welcome back to METROspectives. Today, John Andoh, former
Hele-On Mass Transit Administrator/GM John Andoh joins METRO’s Executive Editor
Alex Roman.

Topics include:
The experience of running public transit on the island.

Rebuilding and reconnecting transit’s relationship with the community.

Partnering to build new mobility models.

Zero-Fare public transit.

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📰 Sign up for the ⁠⁠METRO Express⁠⁠ newsletter.
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Follow and connect with METRO Magazine on social media! Connect with METRO on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠. Like METRO on ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠. Follow METRO on ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠.

⏱ Timestamps ⏱
0:00 Intro
:48 Life on the Island
1:21 Wearing Multiple Hats for Multiple Agencies
2:20 Rebuilding Transit Agencies
4:15 The Power of Community Engagement
6:20 Internal vs External Rebranding Efforts
8:22 Unique Challenges on the Island
11:20 How Small Agencies Can Rebuild Fleets
13:10 Going 100% Zero Emissions
14:40 Operating Transit Near an Active Volcano
15:45 Building New Mobility Models
17:55 How Innovation Can Save Money
18:20 Re-engaging to Build a New Master Plan
20:15 What New Mobility Model Works Best and Where
22:25 Zero Fares
...more
27min
March 29, 2023The Benefits of Digital Engagement and More with SocialPinpoint’s Sophia Robison
Welcome back to METROspectives. Today, Sophia Robison, Community Engagement Advocate and Urban Planner at SocialPinpoint, joins METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman.
Topics include:
The benefits of “hybrid” engagement.

Building better equity during the public outreach process.

The power of building trust in the community.

Successful engagement examples during the pandemic.
Make sure you're signed up for the METRO Express newsletter so you don't miss another METROspectives.
📰 Sign up for the ⁠METRO Express⁠ newsletter.
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Follow and connect with METRO Magazine on social media! Connect with METRO on ⁠LinkedIn⁠. Like METRO on ⁠Facebook⁠. Follow METRO on ⁠Twitter⁠.
⏱ Timestamps ⏱
0:00 Intro
1:40 The Benefits of “Hybrid” Engagement
3:20 Increasing Equity During the Engagement Process
4:38 Are There Compliance Issues Associated With Digital Engagement
6:40 Communicating Opinions Using Different Mediums
8:16 Building Trust
10:34 How SocialPinpoint is used in other industries
12:40 Success Stories from COVID
15:25 The Power of Information
16:20 Increasing Engagement in Unique Ways
...more
19min
March 10, 2023Why Now is the Time to Market Your Bus Operation with Mark Szyperski
Welcome back to METROspectives. Today, Mark Szyperski, President/CEO for On Your Mark Transportation joins METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman.
Topics include:
How and why bus operations are lacking in their marketing practices.

Free and low-cost marketing tips for bus operations.

The driver issue and how it could be remedied.

The state of the motorcoach industry.
Make sure you're signed up for the METRO Express newsletter so you don't miss another METROspectives.
📰 Sign up for the METRO Express newsletter.
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Follow and connect with METRO Magazine on social media! Connect with METRO on LinkedIn. Like METRO on Facebook. Follow METRO on Twitter.
⏱ Timestamps ⏱
0:00 Intro
00:50 Why Marketing Your Operation Now is Important
2:12 Utilizing Your “Rolling Billboards”
3:15 Free and Low-Cost Marketing Tips
5:00 Do Bus Operations Currently Value Marketing?
6:08 The Value of Staying Social
7:00 Keeping Your Website Up to Date
8:06 Attracting Your Former Competitors’ Customers
9:52 Thoughts on ABA Marketplace/UMA Expo
10:50 There’s a Driver Shortage…Guess What Might Help That
...more
22min
January 07, 2023How Automation Can Help Public Transit and More
Welcome back to METROspectives. Today, Michael Keroulle, President/CEO, Americas, at Alstom, joins METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman.
Topics include:
How AI can help build equity on our roads.

How automation can truly impact public transit now.

Challenges facing transit agencies today.

AI’s possible impact on transit in the future.
Make sure you're signed up for the METRO Express newsletter so you don't miss another METROspectives.
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Follow and connect with METRO Magazine on social media! Connect with METRO on LinkedIn. Like METRO on Facebook. Follow METRO on Twitter.
⏱ Timestamps ⏱
0:00 Intro
00:43 About Hayden AI
1:42 Challenges Facing the Transit Industry
3:00 How AI Can Bring Equity to Roads
4:36 Is There a Data Learning Curve?
6:24 BRT Lane Enforcement
8:00 How Automated Technology Can Benefit Transit Now
9:27 Additional Benefits of AI
10:06 Transit’s Appetite for Technology
11:47 Is There a Reticence to Adopting AI?
13:05 Laws and Hurdles to Implementing AI
14:15 AI’s Possible Impact on Transit in the Future
...more
16min
September 02, 2022Reflecting on Year One and Looking Ahead with Alstom President/CEO, Americas, Michael Keroulle
Welcome back to METROspectives. Today, Michael Keroulle, President/CEO, Americas, at Alstom, joins METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman.
Topics include:
What his first year on the job was like after coming on board both during COVID and following Alstom’s acquisition of Bombardier.

The company’s rebranding efforts following the acquisition.

New products and services being delivered to the North American market.

The company’s focus on sustainability both today and moving forward.
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📰 Sign up for the METRO Express newsletter.
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⏱ Timestamps ⏱
0:00 Intro
00:58 Looking Back on the First Year as President/CEO
2:45 Hurdles and Challenges with COVID, Bombardier Acquisition
6:10 Tools Used to Help Company Accomplish Goals
8:16 Alstom’s Rebranding Efforts
10:13 New Products and Services Coming to Market
14:20 The Difference in Building New Products and Models in North America vs Rest of the World
16:40 Alstom’s Focus on Sustainability
...more
19min
August 03, 2022How CCATS Switched its Paratransit Fleet to Propane and Realized True Savings
Welcome to our rebranded video series METROspectives. Today, Randy Cantor, Transportation Services Manager for the Carteret County Area Transportation System (CCATS) in Newport, N.C., joins METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman.
Topics include:
The decision for CCATS to test propane usage for its fleet.

The agency’s partnership with ROUSH CleanTech and its decision to expand their propane usage.

How switching to propane has helped cut the agency’s fuel bill by more than 50%.

Advice for agencies looking to switch to propane or any other alternative form of propulsion.
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Connect with METRO on LinkedIn.
Like METRO on Facebook.
Follow METRO on Twitter.
⏱ Timestamps ⏱
0:00 Introduction
:40 Background on CCATS
1:23 Why Propane?
2:18 Partnering with ROUSH CleanTech
3:38 Initial Challenges with Propane
5:08 Post Purchase Relationship with ROUSH
6:00 Benefits Experienced by Switching to Propane
8:40 Advice for Agencies Looking to Test Alternative Fuels or Propulsion Systems
10:10 Future Fueling Plans
11:30 Final Thoughts on the Program
...more
14min
May 06, 2022 New Taxi Models, the Benefits of Contracting, and More with Paul Comfort
Fresh off of his trip to Dubai for UITP MENA, Transit Evangelist Paul Comfort joins METRO’s Alex Roman to discuss how the taxicabs in that region work together with public transit, as well as why some mobility models are slow to take hold in the states. He also discusses the benefits of contracting, his forthcoming book on equity and inclusion, and how he is merging his love for music and public transit.
...more
45min

FAQs about METROspectives:

How many episodes does METROspectives have?

The podcast currently has 56 episodes available.

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