Transit Unplugged

Transit Unplugged, the world's leading podcast for transit professionals, is hosted and produced by Modaxo SVP and transit evangelist Paul Comfort. Each week, Paul sits down with public transit leaders from around the world to talk about their agencies, how they're facing current challenges, their thoughts on the future of public transit, plus insights into their careers and their approaches to leadership.

You'll learn exactly what it's like to lead a transit agency, big or small, urban or rural, from the people who are in the chairs doing the job. Tune in to hear these unfiltered, unscripted, and unplugged conversations with the people who are shaping public transit today and tomorrow. Find us wherever you listen to podcasts.

Justin Stuehrenberg GM of Madison Metro and his team used COVID as the impetus to finally put a long-planned system redesign into motion and completed it in June 2023. Since then they've seen a 15% increase in ridership. Justin and Paul talked about how his new network works, how geography figured into it, and the new bus rapid transit (BRT) lines coming soon that will use battery electric buses charged en route with overhead pantographs.

Also in this episode:

• Being part of city government--the good and bad
• Working with multiple city councils for approvals and funding
• Justin's path from designing airplane engines to transit engineering and planning.

Coming up next week...

It's episode 300! Yes, we're celebrating 300 episodes with the ThinkTransit CEO Roundtable, covering the most pressing issues in transit today with four of the industry’s most influential CEOs.

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

Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo and these fine folks:

• Paul Comfort, host and producer
• Julie Gates, executive producer
• Tris Hussey, editor and writer
• Tatyana Mechkarova, social media

Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads- Instagram - Facebook

Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter

00:00 Welcome to Transit Unplugged

00:15 Introducing Justin Stuenberg and Madison Metro Transit

01:38 Madison's Unique Transit Challenges and Solutions

05:13 Funding and Operational Structure of Madison Metro

07:03 Revolutionizing Transit: Bus Network Redesign and BRT Implementation

18:15 Looking Ahead: Future Projects and Personal Insights

21:43 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

An innovative trespassing system will be tested on passenger rail tracks in California… a new report says public transit is good for the environment… and a new group of graduates is ready to work on the California high speed rail project.

Welcome to your Transit Unplugged News Minute.

Southern California’s passenger rail, MetroLink, was awarded a DOT grant to develop a first-of-its kind intruder detection system on its tracks. The prototype will use (AI)-equipped cameras and sensors to identify track intrusions, and it will automatically slow or stop trains approaching that section of the rail line. https://metrolinktrains.com/news/metrolink-news/metrolink-receives-federal-funding-for-first-of-its-kind-track-intrusion-detection-system/

A new report from the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission confirms public transit is good for the environment. It found public transit reduces up to 160,000 metric tons of C02 emissions in Northern Virginia each year. https://novatransit.org/uploads/studiesarchive/2024%20Climate%20Benefits%20of%20Transit%20in%20Northern%20Virginia.pdf?mc_cid=5b1c7046b5&mc_eid=8a85fd1fd3

And congratulations to the 16 new graduates of the California High-Speed Rail Authority pre-apprenticeship program. They are now trained and ready to work on the high-speed rail project. https://www.facebook.com/CaliforniaHighSpeedRail/posts/pfbid0yRAUAufijaepZTsKRKQ7C21pFQz582pwoKC8uCzm3kqr6W4mDfC8kdtVEAHgPFUQl

This Transit Unplugged News Minute is being brought to you by Modaxo.

I’m Julie Gates.

In this special episode we have guest host, and past guest, Dr. Kaan Yildizgoz hosting a live CEO roundtable from the Modaxo booth at the UITP MENA Transport Congress and Exhibition. Kaan is joined by:

• Renée Amilcar: President of UITP & General Manager of OC Transpo, Canada
• Abdulla Al Marzouqi: Director General – Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), Abu Dhabi
• Mohammed Obaid Al Mulla: Member of the Board of Directors of Roads and Transport Authority & Chair of UITP MENA Division, Dubai

Kaan and his guests talked about not only public transport in the Middle East post-COVID, but also the exciting future in what has been a very car-centric region. In previous episodes of Transit Unplugged from the Middle East, one of the most interesting things has been the interweaving of taxis into the larger public transport system. Now with autonomous taxis becoming a reality, even more exciting opportunities are happening in the region.

Now with metro systems being built across the region, as well as zero emissions fleets, the Middle East is showing its colors as one of the most innovative regions in the world.

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

Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo and these fine folks:

• Dr. Kaan Yildizgoz, guest host
• Julie Gates, executive producer
• Tris Hussey, editor and writer
• Tatyana Mechkarova, social media

Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads- Instagram - Facebook

Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter

00:00 Welcome to the Transit Unplugged CEO Live Roundtable

00:03 Introduction from Kaan Yildizgoz

00:51 Introducing the Panelists: Leaders of Global Mobility

02:32 Exploring Post-COVID Mobility Trends and Priorities

04:18 Focusing on the Middle East: Challenges and Innovations in Mobility

10:38 The Future of Mobility: Digitalization and Autonomous Taxis

19:10 Concluding Remarks and Future Aspirations in Mobility

23:42 Thank you for listening

Usually on Transit Unplugged we bring you the voices and stories of transit leaders from around the world, but this week we have something a little different. Join Paul as he sits down with Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt to talk about transit, politics, and changing how people view public transit in his city.

As David describes it, like many cities West of the Mississippi, Oklahoma City was planned, developed, and built for cars. Transit was seen as transportation of last resort. What this translated into was a sporadic and sparse transit system where people could wait a hour for the next bus after walking miles to get to a stop that's just a stick in the mud.

David and his predecessor thought it was time to change that and create a modern, robust transit system in Oklahoma's capital city. Now the city is building out its bus route network, putting in bus rapid transit (BRT), and looking at light rail to connect two key suburbs. David's plan hinges on doing big things in small steps over the course of a few years. Instead of proposing a massive light rail network, he's proposing this smaller, focused project to prove it out and build support for the project over the long-term.

We think you'll enjoy this refreshing discussion from a pro-transit politician who is building support regardless of your politics.

Coming up next week on the show we have Justin Stuehrenberg, General Manager of the Madison Metro Transit System talking about his big projects happening in his city.

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

Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo and these fine folks:

• Paul Comfort, host and producer
• Julie Gates, executive producer
• Tris Hussey, editor and writer
• Tatyana Mechkarova, social media

Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads- Instagram - Facebook

Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter

00:00 Welcome to Transit Unplugged

00:05 Introducing Mayor David Holt and Oklahoma City's Transit Vision

02:04 The Geography and Demographics of Oklahoma City

05:33 Embark: Oklahoma City's Public Transit System

07:42 The Evolution of Public Transit in Oklahoma City

12:37 Funding Transit: The Role of MAPS Initiatives

16:32 The Future of Transit: Regional Transit Authority and Light Rail Plans

22:32 Political Perspectives on Transit and Closing Thoughts

27:24 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

Update July 31, 2024: This podcast episode, the companion podcast episode, and the Transit Unplugged TV episode were honored with a Spotlight Award by the South West Transit Association. More info here: https://transitunplugged.com/transit-unplugged-2024-spotlight-award/

We kicked off 2024 with an episode with Rep. Earl Blumenauer--https://transit-unplugged.captivate.fm/portland-streetcar--who could be credited for the modern streetcar boom in America, and this week we see how streetcars actually drive billions in economic development in Kansas City. Streetcars aren't just moving people and connecting the city in Kansas City, they are driving businesses like the aptly named Streetcar Grill which stands in what used to be a parking lot.

Tom Gerend has been part of the Kansas City streetcar project since the beginning, first as part of the planning organization that put the project in motion and now as Executive Director of KC Streetcar. For Tom, this streetcar network is his baby; it's a project that creates a legacy for all of Kansas City. But that's not where we start off the interview.

Historic Union Station in Kansas City was left to rot and ruin; almost demolished from disuse, but a ballot initiative brought it back to life and is now a landmark for the city. Union Station isn't just a transportation hub for the streetcar and Amtrak, it's a gathering place for the entire city. Tom took Paul for a tour of this architectural jewel and everything that's inside, including a model train exhibit and a science museum!

From Union Station, Tom takes Paul on the streetcar to tell him all about the network and its contributions to the city. From low floors that make it easy for anyone to board to keeping the system fare-free, KC Streetcar is fast becoming integral to the city.

Paul and Tom finish up at the Streetcar Grill and talk more about his career, the plans for the streetcar network, and the economic benefits it's brought to the city.

And if all of this sounds amazing, you can see it all on April 11th on Transit Unplugged TV! Make sure you subscribe on YouTube so you don't miss this episode! https://www.youtube.com/@transitunplugged

In case you missed last week's episode with KCATA CEO Frank White, give it a listen now to learn more about Kansas City and its transit system: https://transitunplugged.com/transit-unplugged-podcast/frank-white-iii-kcata-tod/

Additional music by Kemet the Phantom "Get Out" ft. The Pharoahs iTunes - https://goo.gl/JFk66P . Used with permission.

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

Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo and these fine folks:

• Paul Comfort, host and producer
• Julie Gates, executive producer
• Tris Hussey, editor and writer
• Tatyana Mechkarova, social media

Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads- Instagram - Facebook

Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter

00:00 Tom Gerend and KC Streetcar contribute billions to Kansas City's economy

00:03 Introduction from host Paul Comfort

00:21 Exploring the KC Streetcar with Tom Gerend

00:41 Union Station: A Historical Gem in Kansas City

01:09 On Board the KC Streetcar: A Ride Through Innovation

06:13 Expansion and Development: The Future of KC Streetcar

14:13 The No-Fare System: A Model for Urban Transit

22:43 At The Streetcar Grill

22:43 Economic Impact and Community Development

26:07 Reflecting on the Journey: Tom Gerend's Vision for Kansas City

27:15 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

Update July 31, 2024: This podcast episode, the companion podcast episode, and the Transit Unplugged TV episode were honored with a Spotlight Award by the South West Transit Association. More info here: https://transitunplugged.com/transit-unplugged-2024-spotlight-award/

Frank White III is a strong advocate of Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and has a track record of making it happen. He oversaw TOD for Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) before becoming CEO nearly two years ago, now faced with a fiscal cliff, Frank is pushing KCATA into the future of transit and TOD.

KCATA was one of the first systems to go fare free during the pandemic, but that decision to keep people riding has a clear cost--KCATA doesn't have farebox revenue to close funding gaps, but TOD could change that. Developing land managed by the agency could bring in not only more revenue for the agency, but also an economic boost for the region. Already the KCATA MAX BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) line is connecting parts of the city cut off from one another, and combined with KC Streetcar (a separate but cooperative agency), brings real economic development to both sides of the Kansas-Missouri border.

To make this all happen Frank has to undo decades of KCATA neglecting its role to manage and oversee transportation and development for the entire two-state, seven-county region. Listen to this conversation with Paul Comfort including a conversation on TOD while riding the MAX BRT line through the city.

Next week we stay in KC and learn about the streetcar system and how it's creating connections and economic opportunity in the city--including the Streetcar Cafe born on the streetcar line thanks to bringing people to the area.

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

Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo and these fine folks:

• Paul Comfort, host and producer
• Julie Gates, executive producer
• Tris Hussey, editor and writer
• Tatyana Mechkarova, social media

Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads- Instagram - Facebook

Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter

00:00 Frank White, III and KCATA

00:57 Inside the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority

01:44 Frank White III: From Marketing Director to CEO

02:56 Revolutionizing Public Transit in Kansas City

05:14 Navigating Financial Challenges and Fare-Free Transit

08:47 Empowering the Team and Defending Transit's Value

12:48 Exploring Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) in Kansas City

15:34 The Future of Transit: BRT Lines and Beyond

20:56 Wrap up with Paul Comfort

21:45 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

Welcome to another special edition of Transit Unplugged featuring an episode from another transit podcast. This time we welcome past guest Brandon Bartneck with an episode from The Future of Mobility featuring autonomous vehicle visionary Larry Burns. The episode was released in August 2023. The original show notes are below:

Aug 2023 https://brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/larryburns2/

Larry Burns is a pioneer in the electrified and automated vehicle space, highly successful industry veteran, and author of Autonomy: The Quest to Build the Driverless Car – And How It Will Reshape Our World. Larry joins the Future of Mobility podcast for a second time, previously appearing on Episode 93: https://brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/larryburns/

Key topics in this conversation include:

• The true objective for transportation, and why we buy cars
• Why accessibility trumps speed
• The need to get the crash out of the system and get the mass out of the system
• What automakers have missed over the past few decades
• How we can create a safer transportation ecosystem
• Why Larry is so optimistic about the future

Listen here:

Apple Podcasts: link

Google Podcasts: link

Spotify: link

Links:

• Larry’s website: https://www.lawrencedburns.org/
• Autonomy book: https://www.amazon.com/Autonomy-Quest-Driverless-Car-Reshape/dp/0062661124

Larry’s Bio:

Larry Burns advises organizations on the future of mobility, logistics, manufacturing, energy and innovation. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Niron Magnetics. His current clients include Kitson & Partners, Nanoramic Laboratories, Neural Propulsion Systems and Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE).

Larry served as General Motors Corporate Vice President of Research & Development and Planning from 1998-2009. After leaving GM, Larry has been a Professor of Engineering Practice at the University of Michigan, the Director of the Program for Sustainable Mobility at Columbia University, a consultant to Google Self-Driving Cars/Waymo and an advisor to several major companies.

Larry is the author of Autonomy: The Quest to Build the Driverless Car—And How It Will Reshape Our World (with Christopher Shulgan and published by Ecco / HarperCollins on August 28, 2018).

Future of Mobility:

The Future of Mobility podcast is focused on the development and implementation of safe, sustainable, effective, and accessible mobility solutions, with a spotlight on the people and technology advancing these fields.

linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/

brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/

Rethinking Mobility: Prioritizing Accessibility Over Speed

00:03 Introduction from Paul Comfort

00:47 Future of Mobility with Brandon Bartneck and guest Larry Burns

02:24 Discussion on the Importance of Accessibility in Transportation

07:44 Exploring the Future of Mobility and Transportation

30:18 The Importance of Accessibility and Efficiency in Transportation

31:01 The Role of Autonomy in Enhancing Transportation

32:23 The Impact of Vehicle Mass and Speed on Safety and Sustainability

43:04 Exploring Business Opportunities in the Future of Mobility

46:43 The Role of Technology and Innovation in Shaping the Future of Transportation

01:03:37 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

Hydrogen is one of the hottest topics in transit right now, but hydrogen is facing a huge challenge to reduce its cost and increase its availability across North America (and the world). Paul sits down with Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA) CEO Kirt Conrad--who manages the largest fleet of hydrogen fuel cell buses outside California--and Ballard Power Systems Dir of Market Development and Public Affairs, Tim Sasseen to talk about hydrogen as a fuel, how hydrogen fuel cells work, and how the hydrogen hub project will break down barriers to adopting hydrogen as the zero-emissions fuel of choice.

If you're interested in learning more about hydrogen and hydrogen fuel cells, here is a playlist of Transit Unplugged episodes on the topic: https://transit-unplugged.captivate.fm/hydrogen-fuel-in-transit

We also have a blog post on the Transit Unplugged blog explaining how hydrogen fuel cells work: https://transitunplugged.com/transit-unplugged-transit-science-understanding-hydrogen-fuel-cells/

Some of the organizations mentioned in the show:

• Hydrogen Fuel Bus Council https://www.hfcbuscouncil.com/
• Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, Hydrogen Hubs https://www.energy.gov/oced/regional-clean-hydrogen-hubs-0
• Midwest Hydrogen Center of Excellence https://www.midwesthydrogen.org/

Coming up next week we have another feed swap! This time we have past guest Brandon Bartneck with Larry Burns, former VP at GM and leader in the autonomous vehicle space, talking about the future of autonomous vehicles from The Future of Mobility. In the meantime, check out Brandon's podcast page for more great episodes. https://brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/

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

Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo and these fine folks:

• Paul Comfort, host and producer
• Julie Gates, executive producer
• Tris Hussey, editor and writer
• Tatyana Mechkarova, social media

Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads- Instagram - Facebook

Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter

00:00 Introduction to Hydrogen Fuel in Public Transportation

00:35 Insights from Experts: Kirt Conrad and Tim Sasseen

02:25 Understanding Different Types of Fuel

03:49 The Role of Hydrogen in Decarbonization

15:04 The Practicalities of Hydrogen Buses

21:57 Final Thoughts and Future Prospects

24:54 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

In part two of our series featuring Tulsa, OK, host Paul Comfort gets a special tour of Downtown Tulsa with Chase Phillips, the Director of Planning for MetroLink Tulsa. Chase talks about the city's rich history, architectural wonders, and the role of transit in its development. Chase sheds light on Tulsa's transformation from a 1920s hub of oil wealth, with the largest airport in the world at the time, to a vibrant city maintaining its historic charm with a modern makeover. They tour the city, exploring some iconic Art Deco buildings, hidden tunnels, and experiencing the quiet streets of downtown Tulsa. Chase credits public transit for playing a key role in Tulsa's resurgence and shares his vision for the future of transit in the city, including expanding Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and microtransit.

If you missed last week's episode, catch up with Paul's interview with Scott Marr, CEO of MetroLink Tulsa: https://transitunplugged.com/transit-unplugged-podcast/scott-marr-and-metrolink-tulsa-get-their-kicks-on-route-66-with-brt-and-microtransit/

Coming up next week we have a special panel talking about hydrogen fuel and the hydrogen hubs initiative in the U.S. to lower the cost of hydrogen for transportation and industry. The panel features regular guest SARTA CEO, Kirt Conrad and Tim Sesseen Dir of Market Development and Public Affairs at Ballard Power with insights into the growth of hydrogen as the fuel of the future for transportation.

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

Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo and these fine folks:

• Paul Comfort, host and producer
• Julie Gates, executive producer
• Tris Hussey, editor and writer
• Tatyana Mechkarova, social media

Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Instagram - Facebook

Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter

00:00 Introduction and Overview

01:26 Exploring Tulsa's History and Architecture

05:25 Downtown Tulsa: A Blend of Old and New

07:07 Transit in Tulsa: Past, Present, and Future

09:23 Unveiling the Hidden Tunnels of Tulsa

13:01 Reflections on Transit and City Planning

18:00 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged