Transportation advocate and author Carter Lavin joins Levi McCollum and Christian Londono to unpack why "being right isn't enough" in transit and how to actually win. We explore how to shift what's possible, organize riders where they are, and build coalitions that move from local fights to statewide wins.

Carter shares lessons from the Bay Bridge bus-lane campaign, explains why every bench, bulb-out, and bus lane is a political choice, and lays out actionable steps for advocates and agencies to turn good ideas into real improvements.

Carter's book: If You Want to Win, You've Got to Fight: A Guide to Effective Transportation Advocacy.

Available at Island Press: www.islandpress.org/fight

Use code FIGHT at checkout for 20% off.

Carter shares lessons from the Bay Bridge bus-lane campaign, explains why every bench, bulb-out, and bus lane is a political choice, and lays out actionable steps for advocates and agencies to turn good ideas into real improvements.

Carter's book: If You Want to Win, You've Got to Fight: A Guide to Effective Transportation Advocacy.

Available at Island Press: www.islandpress.org/fight

Use code FIGHT at checkout for 20% off.

In this episode of Stop Requested, hosts Levi McCollum and Christian Londono sit down with Harry White, Senior Strategic Sales Executive at TSI Video and board member of both the Florida and Georgia Transit Associations. Harry shares his journey from law enforcement technology into public transit, the critical role of onboard video surveillance in safety and accountability, and why partnerships and trust matter just as much as hardware and software. From protecting frontline operators to enabling agencies to act with confidence in critical moments, Harry highlights how video technology is shaping the future of safer, more reliable transit.

Sandy Brennan, Vice President at Foursquare Integrated Transportation Planning and Mass Transit Magazine's 40 Under 40 awardee, joins hosts Levi McCollum and Christian Londono to discuss her TCRP Report 245 on transit worker mental health.

Content Warning: This episode discusses mental health challenges, workplace trauma, and violence that some listeners may find distressing.

Sandy reveals that over one-third of frontline transit workers show signs of anxiety or depression, exploring how COVID-19 intensified isolation and mistrust in the industry. The conversation covers practical solutions from agencies like VTA, TriMet, and IndyGo, including crisis response teams, mentorship programs, and innovative support systems.

Key topics include the unique stresses facing bus operators and mechanics, the importance of building trust between workers and management, and how agencies can implement effective mental health programs regardless of size or budget.

TCRP Report 245: Mental Health, Wellness, and Resilience for Transit System Workers https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/27592/mental-health-wellness-and-resilience-for-transit-system-workers

In this episode of Stop Requested, hosts Levi McCollum and Christian Londono sit down with Joel Rey, Director of Transit Services and Principal Associate at Benesch, to explore his 36-year journey in transit planning and consulting. Joel shares how a single university course sparked his passion for transit, leading to a career that has shaped mobility across Florida and beyond. From launching new transit systems from the ground up to navigating mergers and fostering a culture of mentorship, Joel offers candid insights into the challenges and triumphs of the industry.

The conversation unfolds as Joel reflects on the evolution of transit planning, describing how his early hands-on research experiences grew into leading large-scale projects. He recounts key lessons from implementing transformative transit services such as LakeXpress and the SunRunner BRT, highlighting the importance of balancing community aspirations with financial realities and the critical role of stakeholder education. The discussion then turns to the impact of emerging technologies like microtransit, autonomous vehicles, and AI, and how these innovations are poised to disrupt and enhance the future of public transportation. Joel also shares practical advice for young professionals entering the field, emphasizing the value of soft skills, mentorship, and perseverance, and underscores that meaningful impact in transit often takes time and a willingness to engage with a broad range of projects and people.

What happens when an economics student looking to make some extra money accidentally discovers a lifelong passion for transit research? In this episode, hosts Levi McCollum and Christian Londono sit down with Dr. Victoria Perk, Transit Research Program Director at the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) at the University of South Florida, to explore her remarkable three-decade journey from reluctant graduate student to Florida's leading expert on National Transit Database (NTD) reporting and training.

Dr. Perk shares the story of how a simple job opportunity at CUTR in the early 1990s—back when NTD data was collected via phone calls and handwritten forms—evolved into a career dedicated to bridging the gap between academic research and practical transit applications. As the principal investigator for Florida's longest-running NTD support contract with FDOT, she reveals the critical role accurate data plays in transit funding formulas and why her viewer access to agency NTD accounts is so crucial (hint: don't remove her!).

Beyond the numbers, this conversation dives deep into the human elements that drive Dr. Perk's work: her passion for understanding how people make transportation choices, her innovative approach to recruiting students through semester-long "interviews" disguised as economics classes, and her commitment to developing the next generation of transit professionals. She discusses current research on the economic impacts of public transportation, the challenges of measuring success in emerging microtransit services, and why "perfect is the enemy of good" when it comes to research publication.

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.