What's it like being the CEO of a transit agency? Paul Comfort asked a panel of five CEOs who've been on the job for about a year what it's been like, what's surprised them the most, and why they love working in transit.

Listen to this lively and engaging panel featuring Coree Cuff Lonergan, GM of Broward County Transit, Dave Dech, Executive Dir of Tri-Rail, Dottie Watkins, CEO of CapMetro, Frank White III, CEO of KCATA, and Tiffany Homler Hawkins, CEO of LYNX where they candidly share their experiences, surprises, and insights about leading a transit agency.

They discuss how their work impacts the lives of their customers and what it means to them personally. They touch on all the things CEOs have to think about, plus some things you might not have thought about. It's a fascinating roundtable that showcases the passion and dedication of these transit leaders.

Also on the show in Elea Carey's Marketing Minute, Elea gives you practical tips for improving internal communications at your agency.

Next week is our sixth anniversary and the start of season seven! We kick off season 7 episode 1 (and our 278th episode) with Randy Clarke, CEO of WMATA. Randy talks about his first year on the job, what's gone well, what hasn't, and what a looming fiscal cliff means for his agency, his people, and riders.

If you have a question or comment, email us at [email protected].

00:00 APTA CEO Roundtable Stories from New CEOs

00:00 Making an impact on people's lives

00:45 About this episode from your host Paul Comfort

01:33 Discussion with five new Transit CEOs recorded live at APTA TRANSform Conference and EXPO

32:41 Marketing Minute with Elea Carey

35:05 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

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Season 6 : Episode 52

Links for this show:

• American Public Transportation Association
• Tri Rail | South Florida Regional Transportation Authority
• LYNX Public Transportation in Orange, Seminole & Osceola
• CapMetro – Austin Public Transit
• Broward County Transit
• Kansas City Regional Transit RideKC

Copyright: Modaxo 2024

This week Paul Chats with Carl Sedoryk, CEO of Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) https://mst.org/ , about his jazz-themed BRT line, applying their new vision statement to serve the people who need transit the most better, and how his practice of martial arts makes him a better leader.

Monterey-Salinas Transit is in an interesting place, geographically and within the larger transit industry. Nestled on the Pacific coast and the Salinas Valley, Carl serves a unique community from tourists to farm workers. Carl and MST approach serving the community with their new vision statement as a guidepost: Connecting communities, creating opportunities, and being kind to the planet. Everything they do must check one of those three boxes (and hopefully more). From planning for zero emissions to adjusting routes to serve areas with high unemployment/low car ownership, Carl are changing how their system works.

Throughout this is an internal guide for Carl: his decades-long practice of martial arts. Hear what values he brings from his practice and how it helps him lead his agency.

Mike Bismeyer connects with kindness in MST's vision and then reflects on the recent APTA Transform Conference and EXPO. How he saw examples everywhere of people and leaders sharing and mentoring others.

Next week on the show we have an episode recorded live at APTA. It's a new CEO panel with Coree Cuff Lonergan, Dave Dech, Dottie Watkins, Frank White, and Tiffany Homler Hawkins reflecting on their first year as CEO at a major transit agency.

Questions/comments: [email protected].

Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo. Passionate about moving the world's people.

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(00:00) Carl Sedoryk Putting Riders and the Planet First

(00:02) Does the project match our mission and vision

(20:33) Mike's Minute with Mike Bismeyer

(22:12) What's coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

Chapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm.

6 :51

• Monterey-Salinas Transit - Learn more about this unique transit district and its jazz-themed BRT line.

Modaxo 2024

Passenger trains now require video recording devices to increase safety, and happy 150th birthday to the cable car!

This week we focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in public transit with Eve Machol, Director of Aviation and Transportation Strategy at Microsoft, and Renee Autumn Ray, Senior Director of Transportation Policy at Hayden AI https://www.hayden.ai/. As both our guests point out, AI in transit isn't new; we've been using AI for years, but with recent attention on generative AI tools like ChatGPT, AI is the hot topic on everyone's minds.

Eve and Renee talk with Paul and our Producer/Editor Tris Hussey about how transit agencies are already using AI, addressing concerns about using AI at your agency, and what's on the horizon for AI in the short, medium, and long term. From more dynamic route planning to predictive maintenance, traffic control to autonomous vehicles, AI is set to be the next game changing innovation in public transit.

We hear from Elea Carey on how to leverage the media to communicate new programs or changes--like AI projects--to the public. It's not easy to get your message out with the right tone and angle, Elea gives you tips on leveraging owned and earned media to get the word out.

Next week on the show we have Carl Sedoryk, CEO of the Monterey-Salinas Transit agency, talking about how his martial arts practice makes him a better leader and what's being done to connect more people to more opportunities in his community.

If you have a question, email us at [email protected].

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(00:00) AI in Public Transit Past, Present, and Future (audio)

(00:03) Eve Michol -- AI is not new

(00:20) The future of AI in Public Transit with Eve Michol and Renee Autumn Ray

(29:55) Marketing Minute with Elea Carey

(31:45) Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

Chapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm.

[00:00:00] Julie Gates: Driverless taxis are coming soon for people who use wheelchairs, and America's flagship transit conference is underway. This is your Transit Unplugged News Minute. Welcome. Big news in the autonomous vehicle world. Cruise has unveiled a wheelchair accessible robo taxi. This AV is fully driverless and creates more room by eliminating the steering wheel and pedals.

[00:00:23] Julie Gates: It includes a retractable ramp and floor clamps, and it can provide service to wheelchair users from a four inch curb. Pending regulatory approval, this AV could hit streets for pilot testing as soon as 2024. And the American Public Transportation Association's premier event, APTA Transform Conference and EXPO, is taking place this week in Orlando.

[00:00:44] Julie Gates: This year's program covers solutions to increase and retain ridership, improve security, and transition to a more sustainable system. This Transit Unplugged News Minute is being brought to you by Modaxo. Passionate about moving the world's people, I'm Julie Gates.[00:01:00]

This week Paul talks with Laura Hendricks, CEO of Transdev US https://transdevna.com/ , about her career starting as a driver at FedEx, Trandev's global expertise transitioning to zero emissions, and how Transdev combined with First Transit brings more cohesive transit solutions to transit agencies.

As the largest private transportation contractor in the world, Transdev is uniquely positioned to apply its global expertise to a wide range of transit needs and challenges. From zero emissions to schools to paratransit, Transdev covers the gamut of needs for communities. And Laura takes the responsibility to build and support a robust transit infrastructure seriously. Laura refers to her leadership role at Transdev as her legacy project--something her children and grandchildren can look on and see her positive impact on the world.

Tune in for this amazing interview with one of the world's great transit leaders.

In our Mike's Minute segment, Mike Bismeyer reflects on Laura's words and connects them to the CUTA Fall Conference and Young Leaders Summit. Mike zeros in on the importance of mentors and flexibility in your career. You never know just where transit will take you in your career. Listen to Mike's advice in his segment.

Next week on the show, we're bringing you a special in-depth look at AI in public transit. Paul and producer/editor Tris Hussey are joined by guests Eve Machol of Microsoft and Renee Autumn Ray of Hayden AI to talk about how AI is changing all facets of how public transit is delivered today and what the future holds in this space.

Question or comment? Email us at [email protected]

Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo, passionate about moving the world's people.

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(00:00) Laura Hendricks, CEO Transdev US

(00:03) Learning and earning your way into leadership

(00:24) Interview with Laura Hendricks, CEO of Transdev U.S.

(32:47) Mike's Minute

(34:43) Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

Chapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm.

Confetti is flying as Brightline's rail service now links Miami and Orlando. I'm Julie Gates, and this is your Transit Unplugged News Minute. Privately owned high speed rail operator Brightline debuted its expanded service linking downtown Miami to the Orlando International Airport. Many see this as the beginning of a new era for passenger rail, creating a blueprint to travel with ease between two nearby cities which are too far apart to drive, but too close to travel by air. The trip between Miami and Orlando is 235 miles, and Brightline's new rail service takes up to three and a half hours depending on stops. Brightline's next rail project is to connect Los Angeles with Las Vegas through all electric trains. They are expected to break ground later this year. This Transit Unplugged News Minute is being brought to you by Modaxo, passionate about moving the world's people. I'm Julie Gates.

This week join Paul in conversation with Diana Kotler, CEO of the Anaheim Transit Network https://rideart.org/. Recorded live at APTA Tech earlier this summer, Paul and Diana connect transit, tech, and people in this engaging interview.

Diana runs a very unique transit system. It's funded by businesses, but all Anaheim residents and people who work in Anaheim ride for free. Tourists coming to visit the city pay a small fare to ride all day on a completely cashless system. And the goal of the system has always been to support the community and reduce congestion in the city.

And, they've been running electric buses for 20 years, AKA, before they were cool.

Listen to the whole conversation and learn how the agency was started and their plans to support the tourist industry.

Also on the show Elea Carey and our producer/editor Tris Hussey share their ideas for how agencies can help tourists use transit when they visit.

Next week on the show we have a special interview with Laura Hendricks, CEO of Transdev U.S. Paul and Laura talk about the role of contracting in public transit around the world and how Transdev is using its global experience to move us towards a zero emissions future.

If you have a question or comment, email us at [email protected].

Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com/ , passionate about moving the world's people.

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(00:00) Reducing congestion and preserving culture

(00:42) Interview with Diana Kotler, CEO of the Anaheim Transit Network

(23:31) Marketing Minute with Elea Carey

(26:18) Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

Chapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm.

I'm Julie Gates and this is your Transit Unplugged News Minute. Transit agencies all over the globe are reimagining their bus networks to meet the changing ridership patterns that were triggered by the pandemic. In November, Florida's Miami Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works will be moving into Phase 2 of its Better Bus Network SHIFTS Into Gear program.

With the help of public input, this newly designed bus network aims to make bus service more accessible by increasing frequency of buses, enhancing connections, and improving evening and weekend services. The goals of the program include increasing access to major job centers, government, and health services, while delivering frequent and reliable bus lines that can reduce the dependence on cars.

Phase 2 of Miami Dade's Better Bus Network kicks into high gear on November 13th. This Transit Unplugged News Minute is being brought to you by Modaxo, passionate about moving the world's people. I'm Julie Gates.

This week Mike Noland, President and GM of the South Shore Line https://mysouthshoreline.com/, joins Paul to talk about commuter rail in the Midwest. The South Shore Line connects Northwestern Indiana with Chicago. This busy corridor is used by commuters and casual riders heading into the Windy City for work or fun. Mike talks about the South Shore Line, how he's adapting to changing ridership, and his double-tracking project to expand capacity and flexibility on the line.

Commuter rail is in a tremendous state of flux right now. Commuters are coming back slowly, but with very different travel habits than they did three years ago. Choice riders, or people who use the train to quickly get between cities, often travel at "off peak" times like midday, evenings, and weekends. Mike talks about what changes and amenities are needed to get more people out of their cars and onto trains.

Mike concludes with a discussion about high-speed rail and what's needed to make these a reality in the U.S.

We wrap this episode with Mike's Minute with regular contributor Mike Bismeyer reminding us of the value and learning we get from each other as we head into the fall conference season.

Next week on the show, we're joined by Diana Kotler, CEO of the Anaheim Transit Network, and how her business-supported transit system gets tourists and the people of Anaheim around the Happiest Place on Earth (West Coast edition).

If you have a question or comment, email us at [email protected].

Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo. At Modaxo, we're passionate about moving the world's people, and at Transit Unplugged, we're passionate about telling those stories. https://www.modaxo.com/

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(00:00) Mike Noland, President of the South Shore Line

(27:57) Mike's Minute with Mike Bismeyer

(29:23) Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged Diana Kotler, Anaheim Transit Network

Chapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm.