Join us for a reflective episode of Stop Requested, as we revisit our journey through 2025, our first full year as podcast hosts. Co-hosts Levi McCollum and Christian Londono delve into their favorite moments and standout guests, discussing over 40 captivating interviews that shaped the podcast.

From conversations about community involvement in public transit to innovative technologies like zero-emission solutions and the significance of mental health for frontline workers, we explore the evolving landscape of the transit industry.

As we set our sights on 2026, we share our goals for weekly episodes and exciting plans to record on transit vehicles. Tune in to celebrate the progress made and anticipate future insights in the world of transit.

This week on Stop Requested, we are revisiting a standout conversation from our archive with Ricky Angueira, Principal at Jarrett Walker & Associates. Hosts Levi McCollum and Christian Londono return to this episode to re-air their discussion on the ridership versus coverage framework that continues to shape how cities think about transit planning.

Originally recorded earlier in the show’s run, this conversation traces Ricky’s path from studying civil engineering in Puerto Rico to urban planning in Spain, and into leading full network redesigns in cities ranging from Miami to Des Moines. Ricky explains why successful transit planning starts with community values, not just data, and why there is no single right answer when designing a transit network.

Drawing on real examples from Knoxville, St. Pete, and Miami, Ricky shows how effective public engagement helps regions align around shared transit goals. The episode also explores microtransit as a coverage tool, the importance of scalable plans during budget constraints, and why transparent conversations with communities are essential to successful network redesigns.

If you missed this episode the first time or want a refresher on one of the most influential frameworks in modern transit planning, this re-release is worth another listen.

What does it actually take to plan ferry service in New York City? In this episode of Stop Requested, Levi and Christian talk with Nina Verzosa, Assistant Vice President of NYC Ferry at NYCEDC, about how ferry routes are designed, evaluated, and changed over time. Nina explains how ferry planning compares to buses and rail, how customer feedback shapes decisions, and what the recent systemwide NYC Ferry route changes were designed to accomplish.

In this episode of Stop Requested, Levi McCollum and Christian Londono talk with Stephen Kuban, President and CEO of Kuban Transit Solutions, about how AI is actively changing the way transit agencies plan, decide, and operate. Stephen explains why AI is more than automation, how it supports better strategic thinking, and how agencies can use it to do more with limited resources while staying focused on outcomes.

Stephen also shares how he is working directly with transit agencies through hands-on AI workshops and advisory programs, helping leaders move from experimentation to real-world application. Listeners interested in learning more about his AI pilot program and upcoming engagements can visit:

https://kubantransit.com/ai-pilot

Dr. Liliane Finke, CEO of ExecuCoach 360, joins Christian and Levi to explore her 24-year journey in public transit and the lessons that shaped her approach to leadership, professional development, and organizational culture. They discuss how she rose from an entry-level marketing role to leading organizational development, why continuous learning matters at every stage of a career, and what it takes to drive meaningful change in regulated environments. Dr. Finke also reflects on her transition into executive coaching, the mindset shifts that unlock growth, and her guidance for anyone considering their next chapter inside or beyond public transit.

Levi and Christian sit down with Brad Miller, CEO of the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, to trace his journey from growing up around transit in Pennsylvania to shaping some of the most talked about projects in Florida. Brad shares how early lessons on Virginia Railway Express, Charlotte’s multimodal expansion, and a leap to Des Moines prepared him to lead PSTA through the SunRunner BRT, the Clearwater multimodal hub, a full network redesign, and one of the nation’s largest zero emission bus fleets. He explains how ferries, mobility on demand, and paratransit innovation all fit into a tourism heavy region, and why investing in workforce development is central to PSTA’s culture of curiosity and innovation. Along the way, Brad offers candid advice on working with boards, navigating hurricanes and funding pressures, and saying yes to opportunities that can transform a career and a community.

Levi and Christian are joined by David Rishel, former Executive Director of Pennsylvania’s CATA and Principal of Delta Services Group, to unpack a career spent shaping accessible transit from the ground up. David recounts launching New Jersey Transit’s statewide ADA paratransit network in the early 1990s, what it took to forecast demand and build eligibility systems when the rules were brand new, and how those decisions still echo today.

The conversation dives into the real-world complexity of paratransit operations, the promise and pitfalls of co-mingling microtransit with ADA service, and why fixed-route accessibility and rider education must lead the way. David closes with a grounded look at where ADA mobility is headed next, including on-demand services, evolving software expectations, and the long-term impact of emerging technology.

Levi and Christian are joined by Shriram Ramaratnam, Vice President, Transit & Rail at WSP, to explore how Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties are piecing together a truly regional, multimodal transit network. Shriram shares what he’s learned from two decades of congestion modeling and BRT planning, why land use and sustainable funding are non-negotiables, and how agencies can think beyond fixed routes to serve the full door-to-door journey. They also dig into underrated technologies like real-time passenger information, the invisible challenges of maintenance and budgets, and Shriram’s advice for emerging planners learning to embrace incrementalism and compromise.

Levi and Christian sit down with Jorge Espinoza, Interim Scheduling Manager at Houston METRO and founder of the Cruzero trip-planning app, to talk about the power of information in transit. From building rider tools in Bolivia to optimizing schedules in Houston, Jorge shares how data, design, and empathy create better service for both riders and operators.

In this replay from last year, Christian and Levi reflect on the life and legacy of Clinton B. Forbes, marking one year since his passing. Now, two years later, we continue to honor and remember the profound impact he made on public transit and the people who worked alongside him.

Through personal stories and shared memories, they recall Clinton’s charisma, his unwavering dedication to customer service, and his transformative leadership—from ambitious initiatives like the Route Performance Maximization plan to his deep commitment to community service through United Way.

Join us once again in celebrating the enduring legacy of a leader, mentor, and friend whose influence continues to shape our industry and our lives.