As universities gear up for the fall semester, we revisit episode from April featuring Levi McCollum and Christian Londono's conversation with Shelley Strimaitis, Planning and Special Projects Manager at Bloomington Transit. Shelley shares her journey from experiencing Singapore's transit system to leading innovative projects in a vibrant university town. Shelley provides her insights on the transformative power of live vehicle tracking and how Bloomington Transit is using microtransit to fill service gaps while prioritizing fixed-route services. Discover how thoughtful transit planning is reshaping public transportation for university communities.

In this episode of Stop Requested, hosts Levi McCollum and Christian Londono speak with Lou Ferri, General Manager at Transdev leading paratransit operations for RTC Las Vegas, about his remarkable 25-year journey in paratransit services.

Lou shares how he transitioned from working at a gym to discovering his passion for paratransit through a chance encounter with Palm Tran's executive director. Learn about the operational complexities of managing America's largest single paratransit contract, completing over 6,000 scheduled trips daily with 445 vehicles across Las Vegas.

The conversation explores the unique challenges of paratransit operations, from eligibility processes to rider demographics, and how Las Vegas differs from Palm Beach County. Lou shares powerful stories about serving riders with disabilities, including visually impaired individuals who've found independence and community through accessible transportation.

Discover insights on leadership, the importance of treating people as human beings, and Lou's advice for emerging transit professionals: expect the unexpected, ask questions, and find your "why."

In this episode of Stop Requested, hosts Levi McCollum and Christian Londono speak with Megan Perrero, Editor-in-Chief at Mass Transit Magazine, about her unique journey from transit-dependent Chicago resident to leading voice in transit journalism.

Megan shares how her decade of car-free living in Chicago shaped her perspective on transit coverage and her path from yearbook enthusiast to B2B journalism expert. Learn about her time at the Shared-Use Mobility Center and how transparency and storytelling shape public perception of transit systems.

The conversation explores Mass Transit Magazine's role as a trusted industry resource, the balance between technical coverage and accessibility, and emerging trends like transit-oriented development and alternative fuels. Megan discusses the magazine's flagship 40 Under 40 program and offers advice for emerging journalists about approaching stories with curiosity and avoiding premature conclusions. This episode reveals how thoughtful storytelling can drive positive change and community buy-in for transit systems nationwide.

In this episode of Stop Requested, hosts Levi McCollum and Christian Londono speak with Dr. Xuehao Chu, former CUTR Senior Research Associate, about how he revolutionized National Transit Database reporting and potentially saved transit agencies millions.

Dr. Chu explains how he discovered critical flaws in FTA's universal sampling plans that forced agencies to over-sample while others remained statistically non-compliant. Learn about his development of the customized sampling manual now used nationwide and how his research transformed federal policy.

The conversation covers the evolution from manual sampling to APC certification, clarifying when qualified statisticians are needed and debunking common misconceptions. Dr. Chu discusses data cleansing challenges, the importance of tracking operated versus scheduled trips, and practical advice for agencies navigating NTD compliance. Discover how one researcher's statistical expertise transformed an entire industry's approach to data collection.

In this episode of Stop Requested, hosts Levi McCollum and Christian Londono speak with Corentin Auguin, Manager of Special Projects and Analysis at MARTA, about the complexities of managing 8,600 bus stops across three counties and ensuring ADA compliance 35 years after the landmark legislation.

Corentin shares his journey from France to Georgia Tech to becoming MARTA's bus stop expert, and breaks down the three-step ADA assessment process: access (curb ramps and walkways), waiting areas (landing pads and shelter clearances), and signage placement. Learn how MARTA completed their ambitious 1,000 amenities program, adding benches and shelters while navigating space constraints in urban, suburban, and rural environments.

The conversation covers coordination challenges with 35+ jurisdictions, the economics of bus stop improvements ($5,000-$30,000+ per stop), and innovative solutions like narrow-profile shelters and raised bike lanes.

Discover how MARTA upgraded all 8,600 stops with unique braille plates showing specific stop numbers, implemented proper clearances for wheelchairs and visual impairments, and developed their Safe Routes to Transit program.

In this episode of Stop Requested, I chat with Ben Turner, a senior business development executive at Kajeet, live from the Transport Ticketing North America 2025 conference. We delve into the innovative solutions Kajeet offers for public transit agencies, focusing on secure IoT connectivity and enhanced rider engagement. Ben shares insights from his extensive telecommunications background and discusses the launch of Kajeet Transit, which features public WiFi and digital advertising on buses, enhancing the commuter experience. We explore the importance of data security and how Kajeet's Sentinel platform empowers agencies to provide safe, reliable connectivity while monetizing insights. Tune in to discover how these advancements are shaping the future of public transit.

In this episode of Stop Requested, I sit down with Ben Turner, Senior Business Development Executive at Kajeet, to explore the innovative ways transit agencies can leverage WiFi to create new revenue streams. Recorded live from the Transport Ticketing North America 2025 conference, Ben shares insights into Kajeet's mission to enhance rider engagement through secure IoT solutions. We delve into the launch of Kajeet Transit, which includes public WiFi, digital advertising, and infotainment on buses, exemplified by their successful pilot program with Long Beach Transit. Discover how these technologies not only improve the rider experience but also provide transit agencies with valuable data insights and monetization opportunities. Tune in to learn how Kajeet is redefining connectivity in the transportation sector.

In this episode recorded live from Transport Ticketing North America 2025, hosts Levi McCollum and Christian Londono talk with Jeff Nullmeyer, Senior Business Development Manager at Masabi, about how modern fare technology is improving transit for both riders and agencies.

Jeff explains Masabi's platform approach to fare collection, giving riders multiple payment options—mobile ticketing, contactless cards, or traditional smart cards—without forcing them into a single method. He discusses fare capping, which helps unbanked riders earn passes as they travel, ensuring equitable access to discounts.

Learn about real implementations at Los Angeles World Airports, Madison, and cash-free systems in Dayton. Jeff covers why flexibility and open architecture matter, how SaaS solutions keep agencies current without costly hardware upgrades, and common RFP mistakes that limit options.

The conversation also touches on reducing cash handling burdens, eliminating mechanical failures from outdated systems, and emerging technology trends.

In this episode of Stop Requested, hosts Levi McCollum and Christian Londono sit down with Ricky Angueira, Principal at Jarrett Walker & Associates, to discuss the ridership versus coverage framework that's changing how cities think about transit planning. From his background studying civil engineering in Puerto Rico to urban planning in Spain, Ricky shares his approach to full network redesigns in cities from Miami to Des Moines.

Learn why successful transit planning starts with community values, not just data. Ricky explains why there's no "one right answer" when designing transit networks—the choice between maximizing ridership or providing broad coverage depends entirely on what communities want to achieve. He walks through real examples from Knoxville, St. Pete, and Miami, showing how proper public engagement can unite regions around shared transit goals.

The conversation covers the role of microtransit as a coverage tool, the importance of scalable transit plans during budget challenges, and why transparent community conversations are essential for successful network redesigns. Ricky also discusses emerging trends in travel patterns and offers practical advice for agencies considering system redesigns.

In this episode of Stop Requested we sit down with Lucas Boehm, IT Director at the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA). Lucas shares his journey from subcontractor to IT Director and offers a behind-the-scenes look at TARTA’s digital transformation over the past five years.

Lucas emphasizes the importance of purposeful technology deployment, cross-departmental collaboration, and involving frontline staff. The episode provides valuable insights for transit professionals navigating modernization and digital infrastructure upgrades.