Transit Unplugged

This week we bring you the first of two special CEO Roundtables recorded live at the UITP Global Summit in Barcelona. This first panel features:

• Thierry Mallet,CEO of Transdev
• Anjes Tjarks, Minister of Transport in Hamburg
• Laura Shoaf, CEO of the West Midlands Combined Authority
• Ruben Leonor, Strategy & Quality Director at Renfe

Paul leads this all-star lineup of transit leaders through discussions of today's changing ridership, funding and fares, the transition to zero emissions, and what the future of transit holds. You're only going to find guests like these on Transit Unplugged!

The second CEO Roundtable featuring Carla Purcell, CEO of Yarra Trams, Jeremy Yap Deputy Chief Executive of LTA in Singapore, Paul Skoutelas, President of APTA, and Dorval Carter, President of CTA in Chicago, airs in two weeks on August 2nd.

But next week, we have another great transit leader: David S. Kim, formerly the Secretary of Transportation for the State of California, now Senior Vice President & Principal, National Transportation Policy and Multimodal Strategy at WSP, in conversation with Paul. We also bring you the second leadership segment from Keith Scott and Rebecca Klein Scott of TALLsmall Productions. This week Keith and Rebecca tell us how to defeat negative self-talk.

While you're here, we have a favor to ask...

Please take a couple minutes to take our listener survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PN3WLZP. We'd like to know you like, and don't, about Transit Unplugged and how we can make it even better for future episodes.

If you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, 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.

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(00:00) CEO Roundtable Part 1 from UITP Global Summit 2023

(09:19) Theirry Mallet on challenges

(11:58) Ruben Leonor Spain

(13:46) Anjes Tjarks on cities

(15:28) Laura Shoaf on passenger comfort

(17:16) Anjes Tjarks on comfort continued

(18:58) Theirry Mallet on convenience

(23:08) Anjes Tjarks on fares

(25:58) Ruben Leonor on rail

(27:33) Laura Shoaf on funding

(28:54) Theirry Mallet on funding

(32:43) Laura Shoaf on AI

(34:20) Ruben Leonor on Technology

(35:45) Anjes Tjarks on technology

(37:53) Theirry Mallet on electrification

(42:00) Laura Shoaf on electrification and equity

(44:44) Ruben Leonor on electrification

(46:07) Anjes Tjarks on zero emissions

(47:31) Theirry Mallet on zero emissions

(49:21) Wrap up: Best things right now

(52:34) Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

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Every week we bring you the top transit thought leaders from around the world, and this week is no exception. Recorded while at the UITP Global Summit in Barcelona, Paul sits in conversation with Dr. Kaan Yildizgöz, Senior Director of Membership and Global Operations at UITP. Kaan and Paul dive into one of the most important topics facing public transport today--helping people rely less on personal cars for regular travel.

In much of the world, taxis are integrated into the transit system so people can use a taxi to get to and from transit hubs in their cities. Cities like Dubai are at the forefront of broadly integrated transport models where taxis are even managed by the public transit authority.

In their conversation, Paul and Kaan also talk about the essential role UITP plays in delivering transit around the world as well as the biggest trends facing transit today. From training to best practices, studies to advocacy, UITP is at the center of transit.

In the second half of the show our leadership segment is back. In the first part of a two-part conversation, Paul learns from Keith Scott and Rebecca Klein Scott of TALLsmall Productions, how the words we choose, our tone, and our body language convey more than we realize to people. Keith and Rebecca give some great tips and lessons on how to come across more professionally and confidently by getting rid of weak language and filler words. Keith and Rebecca continue their conversation with Paul focusing on self talk in our July 26th episode.

Mike Bismeyer reflects on how important transit is to society and encourages all of us to ride transit this summer, if nothing else to say thank you.

Next week on the show we have the first of two special CEO Roundtables recorded live at UITP in Barcelona. This first special episode features Thierry Mallet, CEO of Transdev, Anjes Tjarks, Minister of Transport in Hamburg, Laura Shoaf, CEO West Midlands Combined Authority in the UK, and Ruben Leonor, Strategy & Quality Director at Renfe in Spain. You won't want to miss this episode so make sure you follow/subscribe Transit Unplugged wherever you listen to podcasts.

If you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged email us at [email protected].

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(00:00) Transit Unplugged News and Views

(00:03) Kaan Yildizgoz UITP plus Keith Scott and Rebecca Klein Scott TALLsmall Productions

(00:20) Interview with Kaan Yildizgoz, Senior Director of Membership and Global Operations, UITP

(18:42) Mike's Minute with Mike Bismeyer

(20:11) Leadership Segment with Keith Scott and Rebecca Klein Scott, TALLsmall Productions

(38:17) Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

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We wrap up our special look at Canadian transit tech innovation with three great innovators in the transit tech landscape. We lead off with Paul in conversation with Jean-Pierre Baracat, VP and Partner at Cysca Technologies, talking about the need for enhanced operational cybersecurity for the vehicles and systems that power transit. Then Paul talks with Tim Bigwood, GM of Trapeze Workforce Management, about the need for agencies to have a single source of truth for all their safety-related data. Finally, we have Brad Cameron, CEO of BusPas, talking about using bus stops as data anchor points for smart cities.

We end the show with a special roundtable led by Transit Unplugged producer Tris Hussey in conversation with contributors Mike Bismeyer and Elea Carey reflecting on the past two episodes and how to communicate tech innovations to your customers.

Next week on the show, we have Kaan Yildizgöz, Head of Global Membership and Operations at UITP, talking with Paul about the new models for mobility that use taxis as an integral part of the transport system.

Then our leadership segments return with a two-part series from continues Keith Scott and Rebecca Klein Scott of TALLsmall Productions. In this first part, Keith and Rebecca dive into how language--and weak language--can hurt your career and success.

Don't forget to subscribe/follow Transit Unplugged wherever you listen to podcasts and leave us a review if you enjoy the show. You can always reach us at [email protected]; we'd love to hear from you.

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(00:00) Canadian Transit Tech Innovation Part 2: Safety

(00:03) Introduction by Paul Comfort

(01:00) Interview with Margaret Cullen, Jean-Pierre Baracat, and Tim Bigwood

(01:20) Introduction from Margaret Cullen

(05:22) Jean-Pierre Baracat on emerging cybersecurity threats

(11:41) Tim Bigwood on the need for integrating safety data systems

(17:13) Brad Cameron BusPas Interview

(24:49) Series roundup with Tris Hussey, Mike Bismeyer, and Elea Carey

(40:03) Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

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This week we kick off the first of two episodes focused on Canadian transportation tech and innovation. In this episode, Margaret Cullen, Trade Commissioner for the Canadian Consulate in Florida, joins Paul with Niklas Kviselius, Sr. Manager Innovation Management and New Mobility at TransLink, and Colin Lavery, Chief Growth Officer at Asset Market.

On the show, the guests about the planning needed for the tsunami of EVs coming over the next several years and how agencies need to be more proactive in pushing innovation. Colin's focus is on using AI to figure out where EV chargers should be placed around a city and community--and placed with equity and inclusion as key facets of the plan. Niklas, as the head of TransLink's innovation program, is focused on testing new ideas for mobility and making it easier for companies with great ideas to work with TransLink. TransLink's open call for innovation proposals just opened; take a look and your company could be part of the next innovations at TransLink. Last year's winner is to see if the excess energy from braking can be used to power and charge electric vehicles. Read more about that on TransLink's Buzzer Blog

Coming up next week we continue our focus on Canadian Tech with Margaret Cullen returning along with Tim Bigwood, General Manager of Trapeze Workforce Management, Jean-Pierre Baracat, Partner and VP at Cysca Technologies, and Brad Cameron, President and CEO of BusPas. Part 2 moves the focus onto safety and how to improve transit systems by tapping into data from bus stops.

We'll wrap up Part 2 with a special roundtable discussion with our producer Tris Hussey and regular contributors Mike Bismeyer and Elea Carey talking about tech, innovation, and communicating pilots to your audience.

If you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on the show, email us at [email protected].

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(00:00) Canadian Technology Focus Part 1 (00:27) Interview with Margaret Cullen, Niklas Kviseilus, and Colin Lavery (00:49) Margaret Cullen, Trade Commissioner, Canadian Consulate (01:27) Interview Continues... (04:41) Niklas Kviselius (10:17) Colin Lavery (11:35) Margaret Cullen on investment (12:59) Niklas Kviselius on electrification (16:28) Colin Lavery on equity and inclusion (19:02) Niklas Kviselius on innovation (22:06) Colin Lavery on preparing for clean fuels (26:49) Niklas Kviselius on future proofing your agency (28:50) Wrap up with our guests (29:46) Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

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Listen to this sneak peek at part one of our two-part series on Canadian Tech Innovations in Transit.

This segment features Paul Comfort with Niklas Kviselius of TransLink and Colin Lavery of Asset Market talking about the role of AI in transit.

After spending the bulk of her 20 year career in public transport in Montreal at STM, Renée Amilcar has been at the helm of OC Transpo in Ottawa for almost two years and leading the effort to move OC Transpo to zero emissions by 2036. But that's only the tip of the iceberg for this dynamic transit leader. Join Paul in conversation with Renée in an interview recorded at the UITP Global Summit in Barcelona the day before she took office as the President of UITP.

OC Transpo serves the City of Ottawa, which isn't just your regular city, it's the capital city of Canada. Known for it's history, beauty, and canals, it also has famously harsh winters. OC Transpo has the difficult enough job of keeping a city moving, but also helps keep the wheels of government going by making sure government workers get to their jobs as well.

On the road to zero emissions, Renée talks with Paul about the electric bus trials in the city that have been very successful thus far. She's also responsible for the multi-billion dollar light rail expansion to create more transit options for people in the city of Ottawa.

Renée is an example of the new generation of leaders who are transforming and re-energizing public transit. As the new President of UITP, Renée wants to build bridges across agencies, countries, and continents to help all transit systems meet the challenges we all face in the 21st century.

Also on the show Mike Bismeyer talks about his recent visit to a school to talk with kids about careers in transit as part of CUTA's Mentorship Program. If you'd like to have Mike visit your school, reach out to him on LinkedIn.

Coming up we have a special two-part series on Canadian technology innovation with experts on planning, cybersecurity, safety management, and more. Technology is crucial to transit, get an inside look into some of the newest innovation and how agencies like TransLink are piloting them.

If you have a question or would like to be a guest on the show, email us at [email protected].

Transit Unplugged is presented by Modaxo. At Modaxo we're passionate about moving the world's people, and Transit Unplugged is passionate about telling those stories.

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(00:00) Renée Amilcar, President UITP (00:17) Interview with Renée Amilcar, GM of OC Transpo, Ottawa, ON (25:29) Mike's Minute with Mike Bismeyer (26:14) Mike in the classroom (26:56) Mike in class talking (27:42) Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

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We have two very complementary episodes this week on Transit Unplugged. We start off with Alex Esposito, Co-founder and CEO of Circuit, who took a passion for solving traffic problems and turned it into a business. In our leadership segment Paul talks with Marinma Dorado, Founder and Passion Catalyst of Mindset Results, about connecting the things you're passionate about with your work.

On demand transit is an innovation born out of a simple premise: just because it isn't cost-effective to run a 40 foot bus somewhere, doesn't mean those people don't need transit. On demand transit can fill the first mile-last mile gaps and provide service where buses--even small ones--don't make practical sense. Circuit's approach to on demand transit is focusing on short trips. Trips just long enough someone might drive their car, but too short for a bus. Partnering with cities and businesses Circuit provides free or low cost on demand, shared transit to get cars off the road, people where they need to go, and fill buses with people.

Interestingly, and a direct connection to our second guest, this passion project was born from Alex and his friend looking for a better parking solution around their hometown on Long Island.

In our leadership segment, Marinma Dorado talks about one of the most critical parts of managing your life and career--making sure you focus on doing what you love. A lot of us can do things, and do them well, but they also tend to pull us away from the things we love. And according to Marinma and her own experience, focusing on the things you're passionate about, the things you love to do, makes you more successful in the long run.

Also on the show, Elea Carey talks about what transit agencies should think about when picking which community events to attend.

Coming up next week we have a very special interview with Renée Amilcar, GM of OC Transpo in Ottawa, ON and the new president of UITP. Renée is the first woman, and first North American, to hold the office. Paul recorded the interview with her while at the UTIP Global Summit the day before she took office. Her passion for transit and global cooperation cross-agencies and cross continents should make her two-year term very exciting!

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(00:00) Transit Unplugged News and Views with Alex Esposito and Marinma Dorado

(00:23) Interview with Alex Esposito. Co-founder and CEO of Circuit

(16:56) Marketing Minute with Elea Carey

(19:07) Interview with Marinma Dorado

(33:37) Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

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

This week we continue our series focusing on LA Metro with Paul talking with LA Metro COO Conan Cheung. Conan was originally a transit planner and this focus on details and connecting with people gives him a unique approach to managing his agency.

In his discussion with Paul, Conan gets into three issues facing all agencies right now: the transition to zero emissions, improving safety on the system and building a strong workforce. Like many previous guests and agencies, Conan talks about LA Metro's pragmatic approach to zero emissions. You can't go all in on one type of solution; diversity is essential to a well-rounded zero emissions fleet.

LA Metro is no stranger to the challenges of crime, homelessness, and drug use on its system. Knowing you can't police your way out of the problem, LA Metro's approach has focused on ways to discourage unwanted behaviors like lightening and controlling access to parts of stations.

Finally, Paul and Conan get into managing the over 10,000 people who are part of the operations workforce. From his experience working with communities as a transit planner, Conan visits all of his 10 divisions to learn exactly what his people need and want. To ensure he has enough staff, LA Metro has started one day hiring fairs where someone can apply for a job in the morning and leave with a preliminary offer in the afternoon. These hiring blitzes have been so successful at getting new employees, they have to slow down so they can catch up with people finishing their training.

Also on the show, Mike Bismeyer talks about a recent leadership conference where leaders shared the things they do outside of work to help the community. From volunteering at animal shelters to helping veterans, mentoring young to people to just being part of the community, these leaders showed that not only is kindness cool, sharing these acts of kindness helps build a stronger team.

Next week on the show, we have Alex Esposito, Co-founder and CEO of Circuit, talking about targeted microtransit to get people out of cars and onto public transport and Marinma Dorado on matching what you love to do with the work you choose to do.

If you have a question, comment, or want to be a guest on the show, email us at [email protected].

Transit Unplugged is presented by Modaxo. Modaxo is passionate about moving the world's people, and we're passionate about telling the stories of the people who make it happen.

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(00:00) Conan Cheung COO LA Metro

https://vzyfm.co/42wGQ81

(00:39) Interview with Conan Cheung, COO of LA Metro

https://vzyfm.co/3qsUsUE

(30:40) Mike's Minute with Mike Bismeyer

https://vzyfm.co/3tAj8Zy

(32:10) Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

Next week Alex Esposito, Co-founder and CEO of Circuit, and Marinma Dorado, Founder of Mindset Results.

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

Plus how to match your strengths to your job with Josh Cohen

Welcome to the first of two special episodes featuring leaders from the second largest transit system in the U.S.--LA Metro! In this first interview, Paul chats with Seleta Reynolds, Chief Innovation Officer and interim Chief People Officer at LA Metro, about planning for the future of LA Metro including the upcoming 2026 World Cup and 2028 Summer Olympics. Seleta reflects on how to build a lasting legacy for Los Angeles from transit to how Angelenos think about community and their streets. Seleta also talks about her own career journey from intern to GM at LADOT and now her dual role at LA Metro. Seleta is passionate about transit but also passionate about finding new ways to make our streets livable and useful.

In our leadership segment, Paul dives into career journeys with Josh Cohen, CEO of Mobility Leadership Advisors, about building a career that's based on your strengths and values, not other peoples'--or your own--expectations of what the "right" career path is supposed to be. You can sign up for Josh's weekly newsletter and get his insights delivered straight to your inbox. In Josh's segment, you can hear many of the themes Seleta Reynolds talked about in her career journey--matching your career with your passions and your values.

Also on the show, Elea Carey connects the dots between Josh's and Seleta's interviews with some advice for marketers in how to be successful--and healthy--in their careers.

Next week, we continue with our LA Metro series with Conan Cheung, COO of LA Metro, talking about safety and connecting with the over 10 thousand LA Metro employees who keep that city moving.

If you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on the show, email us at [email protected].

Transit Unplugged is powered by Modaxo. Modaxo is passionate about moving the world's people, and Transit Unplugged is here to tell their stories.

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(00:00) Seleta Reynolds - Josh Cohen

(00:29) Interview with Seleta Reynolds

(19:52) Messaging Minute with Elea Carey

(21:28) Josh Cohen Leadership Segment

(32:32) Coming up next week

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

This week we're continuing our tour of Western Canada with Martin Bean, CEO of Roam Transit in Banff, AB. Roam Transit, like many transit agencies in tourist destinations, has a dual role. One is to get the residents of the Bow Valley from Canmore to Banff (who all ride for free by the way) where they need to go, the other is helping the over four million visitors who come to Banff National Park and Lake Louise each year explore the region (and leave their cars behind).

Beyond transit passes for hotel guests or people arriving by tour bus, Roam Transit is pretty special in a lot of other ways--and all focused on preserving the natural beauty around them.

Roam Transit wraps their buses with pictures of the local wildlife taken by local nature photographers. From deer to elk to bears to martins (a kind of weasel) Roam Transit gives you a taste of what animals are roaming around--some of which you could even run into while in downtown Banff.

Because they are in the middle of one of the most beautiful places in the world, environmental stewardship is a big part of how they do things. Their operations facility doesn't have a furnace, but runs off waste wood burned as part of a community heating system. They have over 680 solar panels on the roof that generate enough power to charge up three battery electric buses plus the whole building. There's getting power from a sustainable grid and then there's getting your power from your own solar power grid.

Tune in to hear all about these topics plus how Roam Transit works with Parks Canada, trains new drivers, and helps the community leave cars behind to help the environment and congestion.

Also on the show:

• Mike's Minute with Mike Bismeyer, and his special connection to Roam Transit
• Transit Unplugged TV videographer and director Jaime Cuadra talks about filming the special episode coming up in June on the Rocky Mountaineer excursion train.

Check out the Transit Unplugged TV episode from Vancouver, the first stop on Paul's look at transportation in Western Canada.

Next week we have Seleta Reynolds, Chief Innovation Officer and Interim Chief People Officer at LA Metro, talking about getting ready for the 2028 Summer Olympics. And Josh Cohen of Mobility Leadership Advisors on finding the right fit in your career growth.

If you have a comment or want to be a guest on the show, email us at [email protected]

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(00:00) Martin Bean Roam Transit Bow Valley Regional Transit Services

(18:30) Mike's Minute with Mike Bismyer

(20:12) About future Transit Unplugged TV episodes

(25:49) Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

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