By Paul Comfort, SVP Modaxo
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The podcast currently has 409 episodes available.
This episode of Transit Unplugged, brought to you in conjunction with the South West Transit Association (SWTA), tackles a big question after the U.S. election: what does it mean for transit? Rich Sampson, Executive Director of SWTA, and Becca Green, their Legislative Committee Chair and Chief Communications Officer at Rock Region METRO, provide a comprehensive legislative update for listeners. Key topics discussed include:
Rich and Becca give practical strategies for effective advocacy with elected leaders, especially in light of new administration and Congressional dynamics. They emphasize building strong relationships with elected officials and underscore transit as a non-partisan issue benefiting all constituents.
Coming up next week we'll have Eileen Collins Turvey talking about her innovative programs in Portland, OR that could save millions of dollars and help people lead healthier lives.
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:25 Legislative Update Overview
03:07 Transit Ballot Initiatives Success
06:05 Federal Transit Funding and Appropriations
13:25 Regulatory Relief and Workforce Development
18:00 Vehicle Supply and Cost Issues
28:49 Advocacy and Relationship Building
36:08 Q&A Session
49:02 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged
Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com
Special thanks to:
If you have a question or comment, email us at [email protected].
Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads- Instagram - Facebook
Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this presentation, from any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken in response to it.
For people to want to ride transit, they need to feel safe. And feeling safe is more than just physical safety, it's a perception. A perception based on cleanliness, vandalism, anti-social behaviors, loitering, open drug use, fare jumping; things that create a feeling of disorder on top of actual physical safety.
This was a huge problem in LA overall, so they decided to do something about it.
On this episode Paul talks with Stephen Tu, the Deputy Executive Officer for Station Experience at LA Metro on how they did it first at one station and are now expanding the changes system-wide. Some of the programs they talk about are:
Tap-to-exit program on fare gates
Open elevator doors
Smart restrooms,
Ambient noise in parking garages and classical music in stations
Stephen talks about the results and the tremendous difference these efforts have made. The pilot tests were so successful that Stephen is in the process of rolling these tactics across the entire LA Metro subway system. But these tactics are only one side of the issue, Stephen also talks about LA Metro is helping people with reduced fares, community support workers, and other tangible things to address the root causes of these anti-social behaviors.
All within the context of planning for the 2028 Olympic Games.
Coming up next week we have a special episode brought to by the South West Transit Association (SWTA). We'll bring you the recording from their post-election update and discussion with members broadcast and recorded on November 12.
00:00 Creating a better experience at LA Metro Stations
00:05 Introduction and background
01:59 Welcome Stephen Tu
02:33 Overview of the Station Experience Program
03:48 Addressing Societal Challenges and Safety
05:33 Success Stories and Program Expansion
06:35 Innovative Fare Collection: Tap to Exit
10:39 Open Elevator Doors Initiative
13:21 Smart Restrooms for Riders
17:05 Music and Ambient Noise for Better Experience
21:04 Conclusion and Future Outlook
23:05 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged
Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com
Special thanks to:
If you have a question or comment, email us at [email protected].
Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads- Instagram - Facebook
Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this presentation, from any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken in response to it.
Join Paul Comfort we kick off Season 8 of Transit Unplugged! This special episode features a live CEO roundtable from the APTA TRANSform and EXPO packed with five of transit's biggest leaders. The panel features:
They discuss their unique transit projects, the impact of the pandemic, the future of AI in transportation, the importance of risk-taking, mentorship in leadership, and the role of transit in the economic development of cities worldwide. Don't miss this compelling--and passionate--discussion on the intersection of technology, society, and the future of public transportation.
Next week on the show we have Stephen Tu, Deputy Executive Officer of Station Experience at LA Metro, talking about improving the transit journey for everyone. Improving safety, cleanliness, the perception of safety, and discouraging inappropriate activities starting at a few stations and now expanding across the network.
00:00 Introduction and Podcast Anniversary
08:43 Andy Lord on London's Transit System
12:41 Dottie Watkins on Austin's Transit Expansion
15:25 Dwight Ferrell on Detroit's SMARTer Mobility
18:01 Shawn Donaghy on Workforce Development in San Diego
20:36 Public Transport Success in Hong Kong
21:29 Rethinking Urban Planning
21:56 King's Cross Transformation
23:15 Economic Impact of Transport Infrastructure
25:32 Transition from Aviation to Public Transport
27:32 Leveraging AI and Technology in Public Transport
29:51 Leadership Lessons in Public Transport
34:45 Final Thoughts and Industry Appreciation
37:21 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged
Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com
Special thanks to:
If you have a question or comment, email us at [email protected].
Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads- Instagram - Facebook
Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this presentation, from any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken in response to it.
Accessibility is an essential and important topic in transit--and one that Transit Unplugged has deep connections to. From Paul's first job in transit to his work at WMATA and Baltimore MTA, he has championed ensuring transit connects everyone to all of life's opportunities. Tris' father was a pioneer in helping veterans in wheelchairs live independently on their own.
So when we say, we're committed to accessibility in all its forms--we mean it.
But when it comes to accessibility, sometimes people don't know where to start. And this is where our guests this week come in. Ron Brooks and Kristen Joyner talk with Paul about their new book, All Aboard: Conducting Accessible Community Involvement for Public Transit which gives real, practical strategies to improve accessibility in transit, at conferences, in meetings, and the wider world.
Ron and Kristen share how sometimes simple things make a tremendous difference in making something accessible, and often with spending little or no money. And how when as we make the world more accessible, we're making the world a better place for all of us.
Coming up next week we kick off Season 8 of Transit Unplugged with a special CEO Roundtable recorded live at APTA TRANSform. Make sure you don't miss this episode with guests:
As they talk about the big plans in their systems and some truly inspiring visions of the future.
00:00 The Inspiring Journey of Ron Brooks
00:38 Introducing 'All Aboard': A Guide to Accessible Transit
02:08 The Motivation Behind the Book
04:44 Practical Guidance for Transit Agencies
06:39 Broadening the Audience for Accessibility
10:22 Subscribe to the newsletter
11:07 Community outreach
13:28 Making Meetings Inclusive for All
17:24 The Importance of Comprehensive Engagement
20:15 Contributors and Final Thoughts
23:20 Coming new week on Transit Unplugged
Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com
Special thanks to:
If you have a question or comment, email us at [email protected].
Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads- Instagram - Facebook
Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this presentation, from any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken in response to it.
From an interview with Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works CEO Eulois Cleckley and Paul Comfort originally aired in February, 2023.
Eulois talks with Paul about his vision and approach to leadership with his REPPS model and how it's helped his team perform better and exceed what they thought they could accomplish.
Link to original interview: https://transitunplugged.com/transit-unplugged-podcast/stacey-matlen-and-eulois-cleckley/
One of his top executives, Schneider St. Preux, was recently on the podcast and cited Eulois' leadership as a critical factor in his career. Listen to that episode here: https://transitunplugged.com/transit-unplugged-podcast/schneider-st-preux/
00:00 Introduction to Transit Unplugged Deep Cuts
00:44 Meet Eulois Cleckley: Leadership Insights
01:02 The Importance of Strong Leadership
02:29 Principles of Effective Leadership: The REPPS Acronym
02:56 Focusing on Results
04:32 Setting High Expectations
05:39 Setting High Expectations for Success
06:33 Focusing on People: The Key to Leadership
08:02 Empowering Staff for Maximum Potential
08:46 The Importance of Data-Driven Decisions
Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com
Special thanks to:
If you have a question or comment, email us at [email protected].
Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads- Instagram - Facebook
Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this presentation, from any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken in response to it.
This week Paul is talking with someone we could call a Transit Unplugged superfan—Schneider St. Preux—who says he's listened to every podcast episode and credits Transit Unplugged with helping him in his upward career trajectory.
We're so pleased to be part of Schneiders' career journey. As he says in this interview—listening and engaging in our podcast community, along with hard work, determination, and willingness to invest in himself, has taken Schneider from bus operator to General Superintendent of Bus Operations at Miami-Dade.
Schneider is also one of this year's Mass Transit Magazine's 40 Under 40 winners—a fitting acknowledgment of the accomplishments in his career thus far.
He also talks about the critical role of practical experience and the value of continuous education—Schneider says education gets you to the door and your hard work gets you through it.
Highlighting both the challenges and triumphs, Schneider offers valuable insights and advice for aspiring transit professionals, emphasizing self-belief, goal-setting, and the importance of investing in people. Paul and Schneider also talk about the importance of training new leaders, especially those who have been "doers" in what true leadership really means.
Coming up next week, we focus on a topic close to the hearts of everyone at Transit Unplugged—accessibility. Paul talks with Ron Brooks and Kristen Joyner about their new book which serves as and both a guidebook and inspiration for how to make transit, and the wider world, more accessible for everyone.
00:00 Introduction: A Unique Fan Story
00:42 Crazy Work Stories: The L from Hell
04:24 Meet Schneider St. Preux: A Rising Star in Transit
05:19 Career Journey: From Bus Operator to Superintendent
09:13 Catch Transit Unplugged TV on YouTube
10:09 Spending a year at Broward County Transit
12:44 The Importance of Education and Self-Investment
14:33 Leadership Insights: From Frontline to Management
18:00 Future of Public Transportation: Challenges and Innovations
18:00 Advice for Aspiring Transit Leaders
19:27 Conclusion: Bright Future Ahead
19:40 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged
The back-to-back hurricanes that swept through the Southeastern U.S. brought unimaginable destruction to the region. Many places are far from recovered, with tens of thousands of people still without power in some areas.
But behind the scenes, transportation networks need to keep running. People need to be evacuated to safety. Supplies have to get through. Emergency workers need to get to where they are needed.
This week we pull back the curtain with a special episode focused on how our transportation networks prepare for and recover from disasters like Hurricanes Helene and Milton. On this special episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort connected with six transportation leaders in Florida about the preparations, their Emergency Operations Centers, and what happens now to recover.
We hear from:
This is a unique episode that only Transit Unplugged can bring you! Make sure you tune in and share with your transit colleagues.
Next week on the show, we have Mass Transit Magazine 40 Under 40 winner Schneider St. Preux talking about his 12 year transit career trajectory from bus operator to General Superintendent of Bus Operations for the Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works. Schneider tells Paul what it took to build his career and his advice for other up and coming leaders in the industry.
Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com
Special thanks to:
If you have a question or comment, email us at [email protected].
Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads- Instagram - Facebook
Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter
00:00 Introduction to the Eye of the Storm
00:45 Brad Miller: Riding Out the Storm
01:17 Coree Cuff Lonergan: Tornadoes and Transit
01:33 Ivan Moldanado: Coordination and Preparation
01:54 Tiffany Homler Hawkins: Orlando's Response
02:22 Dave Dech: TriRail's Role in the Crisis
02:44 Greg Slater: Road Networks and Disaster Management
03:43Brad Miller: Firsthand Hurricane Experience
11:03 Brad Miller: Evacuation and Recovery Efforts
21:19 Dave Dech: TriRail's Hurricane Preparedness
32:11 Coree Cuff Lonergan on Broward County's Hurricane Response
36:03 Ivan Maldonado Discusses PalmTran's Challenges
44:10 Tiffany Homler Hawkins on LYNX's Hurricane Preparedness
52:54 Greg Slater on Tampa's Expressway and Hurricane Resilience
01:01:22 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this presentation, from any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken in response to it.
This week on Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort interviews Brandon Nurmi, Director of Arrowhead Transit in Minnesota. Paul and Brandon discuss the unique challenges of operating a public transportation system across a vast, sparsely populated rural area. Brandon shares his journey in the transit sector, the geographical and logistical hurdles his team faces, the role of volunteer-driven programs, and the technological advancements aiding rural transit systems.
As Arrowhead Transit celebrates its 50th anniversary, Brandon highlights how essential public transit is in rural areas for accessing jobs, healthcare, and reducing social isolation. Tune in to learn about the vital role of rural transit in community development and the collaborations that bolster these efforts.
Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com
Special thanks to:
If you have a question or comment, email us at [email protected].
Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads- Instagram - Facebook
Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter
00:00 Introduction to Rural Public Transportation
00:57 Challenges of Rural Transit Systems
01:23 Interview with Brandon Nurmi: Director of Arrowhead Transit
02:39 Celebrating 50 Years of Arrowhead Transit
03:25 Geographical and Operational Challenges
06:11 The Role of Technology and Volunteer Programs
09:17 Funding and Community Development
12:59 Social Connectivity and Partnerships
14:37 Future Expansion Plans
16:00 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this presentation, from any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken in response to it.
In this episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort chats with paratransit thought leaders:
They dive into how Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) are shaking up paratransit, making everything smoother for riders and more affordable for agencies. We get a rundown of their systems, highlighting how they're tackling daily challenges and boosting efficiency.
Sponsored by Uber Transit, this episode also looks at how public-private partnerships are changing the game for public transportation. It’s a deep dive into the practical steps being taken to improve and modernize paratransit services.
Uber recently published Transit Horizons 2.0: The Mobility Evolution. This industry perspective paper explores how public-private partnerships have and can enhance public transportation. It’s available for download at uber.com/transithorizons.
Coming up next week we talk about the essential role transit plays in rural communities. Our guest is Brandon Nurmi, Director of Arrowhead Transit in Eastern Minnesota. We often forget that in many rural communities there are few alternatives to transit. There aren't many TNCs and often people have to travel long distances for things like doctors and school. Thanks to transit, and a legion of volunteer drivers, people in rural areas can get where they need to go.
Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com
Special thanks to:
If you have a question or comment, email us at [email protected].
Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads- Instagram - Facebook
Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter
00:00 Uber Paratransit with intro
00:53 Evolution of Paratransit Services
01:11 Meet the Leaders of Paratransit Systems
03:34 Discussion with Chris Pangilinan - New York City
04:01 Discussion with Andre Colaiace - Los Angeles
05:16 Discussion with Eileen Collins Turvey - Portland
06:43 Challenges and Innovations in Paratransit
07:41 Utilizing TNCs and Taxis for Paratransit
13:46 Technology Integration in Paratransit
18:31 Future of Paratransit Services
22:39 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this presentation, from any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken in response to it.
On this episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort sits down with Ryan Coholan, the Chief Operating Officer of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA or The T) in Boston.
Ever heard of a COO who drives his own train to work? Ryan is one of a few (only?) COOs who has kept up his Locomotive Engineer's License and regularly drives the train from his home in the suburbs into Boston. Ryan likes to stay connected with the work he's responsible for, not to mention when the COO calls and says there's an issue on a stretch of track, it gets fixed.
With nearly 30 years of transit experience, Ryan talks about running one of America's largest transit systems and shares stories of MBTA's recent wins, like ending speed restrictions on rail lines, introducing contactless fares, and even getting chatbot support. Paul and Ryan also dive into some serious business – like getting agreements in place with all their labor unions for the first time in 15 years.
Paul and Ryan wrap up their conversation with some electrifying news (literally) about The T's move towards battery electric trains. Ryan's got big plans to make it all happen and leveraging as much existing infrastructure as possible. This is a ride you won't want to miss!
Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com
Special thanks to:
If you have a question or comment, email us at [email protected].
Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads- Instagram - Facebook
Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
01:24 Ryan's Journey to Work
02:22 Overview of MBTA and Its Unique Structure
06:51 Role and Responsibilities of the COO
09:25 Financial Health and Strategic Investments
12:22 Speed Restrictions and Infrastructure Improvements
20:05 Innovations in Customer Experience
23:38 Labor Agreements and Workforce Relations
25:23 Commuter Rail Developments and Electrification
30:45 Conclusion and Vision for the Future
31:57 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this presentation, from any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken in response to it.
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