Transit Unplugged

This week on Transit Unplugged News and Views Paul talks with Patrick Goddard, President of Brightline Trains about high-speed rail in Florida. Brightline Trains is the only privately-held high-speed rail service in the U.S. and serves as a vital connection between South and Central and beyond. Brightline serves the niche getting people to places that are too far to drive, but too short to fly. The end goal is to make people less car-dependent; move people from their cars to something faster and more convenient. Brightline even has a door-to-door service that will get you from home to destination and back, letting you just leave your car at home.

We also hear from Elea Carey and Mike Bismeyer bringing your dose of communications and leadership insights.

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

Continuing the series of interviews from the UITP MENA Congress and Expo earlier this year, Paul speaks with Mohammed Salim Al Ghafri, COO of Mwasalat in the Sultanate of Oman on how he's creating a transit culture in a country where private cars are cheap and affordable.

One of the newer transit agencies in the world, Mwasalat manages the bus and ferry service connecting the major cities in Oman to each other and neighboring countries like the UAE.

It's been an uphill battle to get people to switch from the convenience of private cars to public transit, but with satisfaction and on-time performance both above 90%, they are clearly doing something right!

Next week on Transit Unplugged News and Views, Patrick Goddard of Brightline Trains talks with Paul about connecting cities too close to fly, but too far to drive to across Florida and California.

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

Noormah Noor, CEO of Express Rail Link in Malaysia has accomplished something that very few people have done--create an award-winning, world-class, and economically viable high-speed rail service. ERL runs between Kuala Lumpur and the airport connecting downtown for travelers and everyday commuters. Her service offers nonstop service, including airport check-in , from downtown to the airport. And if you'd like a white glove experience, their VIP service brings you door to door including handling your luggage.

Noormah focused her energy not just on running a great service, but also running a viable service as well. Working as part of a government contract ERL designed, built, maintains, and operates the system. ERL was able to weather the Asian financial crisis by making sure she built a system based on sound business principles.

And it's paid off. Winning award after award, ERL is an example for the world for how to operate high speed rail effectively.

This week we also hear from Elea Carey and Mike Bismeyer with their regular segments.

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

And make sure you join the Transit Unplugged crew at ThinkTransit in Forth Worth, March 20-23.

Terry White, General Manager of King County Metro, is a life-long public transit rider in his hometown of Seattle, Washington. He relied on transit to get him to school and work, buoyed by his mother her stack of timetables. If it wasn't for public transit, Terry wouldn't be where he is today. The experience of relying on transit and growing up on the system--including turning the signs on the bus--instilled a life-long passion for transit and a clear career path (although he never did become a bus operator).

Terry and Paul talk about his career journey and his vision for equitable transit that lifts up entire communities. He believes when you lift up and support those who rely on transit the most, everyone benefits. From his strong roots in social justice to his vision for new technology enabling transit, Terry has big plans for King County Metro.

Terry is also the keynote speaker on the first day of the ThinkTransit conference, and we get a small taste of what he'll be talking about in his keynote later in March.

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

Paul was at the UITP Middle East North Africa Conference and Expo in Dubai, UAE recently and this is the first of several interviews from his trip.

The first is with Alexander Pazuchanics, Head of Policy & Partnerships at Vianova I/O. Alexander and Paul talk about something we don't hear much about these days, ever really--managing curb space. Not just for parking, but travel and making the best use of this public space throughout the day.

We also hear from Elea Carey and Mike Bismeyer this week with communications and kindness.

Finally, Paul gives us a rundown of where he'll be speaking and visiting this Spring. All this on this week's Transit Unplugged News & Views.

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

Here's part two of our Legacy Leaders Series (listen to part 1) where Paul taps into decades of leadership, perspective, and insight from some of the foremost leaders in the public transit industry.

In this episode we hear from:

• Paul Toliver
• Grace Crunican
• Peter Varga
• Mike Scanlon

The advice in this episode is second to none and everyone, no matter your role, can take something away from this to do their jobs better.

Next week we bring the first in a series of interviews Paul recorded while at the UITP MENA Conference and Expo in Dubai.

If you have questions, comments, or want to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us at [email protected].

Have you ever wondered how people get training on running a public transit agency? Public transit is a very complex business/service to run, so how do you learn everything you need to know?

The answer is the National Transit Institute at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. Paul talks with Executive Director Billy Terry about NTI and everything it does.

Like having to switch from 98% in-person classes taught around the U.S. to 100% virtual classes taught remotely.

We also hear from Elea Carey on how to get your message out quickly and Mike Bismeyer on conferences as essential parts of staying current in your field.

We wrap this episode with Tris, Paul, and Randi talking about the upcoming Executive Summit at ThinkTransit this March 20-23.

See the detailed show notes on TransitUnplugged.com for links to news mentioned in the show, a full transcript, and more about ThinkTransit.

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

This is the first of two special episodes where Paul chats with some of the leading figures in public transit. These are the people who built the foundations and set the standards for how public transit is done.

Their perspectives are absolutely not to be missed.

On part one of the series are:

• Paul Toliver
• Fred Gilliam
• Robert Prince
• Rod Diridon

See the full show notes on TransitUnplugged.com for their links and contact information.

Next week on Transit Unplugged News & Views we have Bill Terry, Executive Director of the National Transit Institute at Rutgers and the following week we have part two of the Legacy Leaders series with Peter Varga, Grace Crunican, Mike Scanlon, and Paul Toliver

In the public transit industry, we are all standing on the shoulders of giants. People who set the stage for the progress we're making now. The next several episodes on Transit Unplugged epitomize this fact looking back powering our way forward.

This week Paul talks with Karen Philbrick, Executive Director of the Mineta Transportation Institute. Named for Secretary Norman Mineta, the Institute conducts and supports research on a wide range of public transportation topics and issues.

In their interview, Karen and Paul talk about some of the hot trends and big challenges facing the industry now. We get an insider's look into some of the most forward-thinking work in public transit today.

We also hear from Elea Carey on prepping your leaders for interviews and Mike Bismeyer on finding and tapping the next generation of transit leaders.

Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged is the first of two Legacy Leaders episodes. Next week we have Rod Diridon, Paul Toliver, Fred Gilliam, and Robert Prince on the show. If you have a question, comment, or like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, feel free to email us anytime [email protected].

On today's special edition of Transit Unplugged. We want it to honor the memory of Jeff Parker, CEO of MARTA in Atlanta, after his recent tragic death. He was a strong leader for his city and our industry, and will be sorely missed. Original show notes from February, 2020:

“While we have to think about the future, we also have to think about the here and now and making sure that we’re improving the customer experience.”

Atlanta and the surrounding area is the third fastest-growing region in the U.S. That means more people and more traffic, so public transit is essential to help boost the economic vitality and development of the region along with reducing congestion.

Jeffrey Parker, GM and CEO of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), joins Transit Unplugged to talk about the present and future for the agency. Parker discusses the importance of MARTA becoming a more customer-centric organization – improving the reliability of the bus service, implementing new bus stops, and renovating rail stations are just part of this larger picture. Additionally, he highlights MARTA’s plans for new bus rapid transit and light rail services, and how it is essential to still focus on state of good repair while expanding service.

If you want to know more about MARTA, check out their website. 

If you are having thoughts of suicide, there are people to listen and help. Here are just a few of the resources in the U.S. and Canada you can reach out to. Call a friend, send a text, send a message, but whatever you do, just reach out. You're not alone. There are people out there ready to help you.

Canada Suicide Prevention Service, part of Crisis Services Canada.

If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, the Canada Suicide Prevention Service is available 24/7 for voice and 4pm to 12am ET for text.

Call 1-833-456-4566 for help in English. In Quebec call 1-866-277-3553. Or text 45645.

U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

NATIONAL: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else. To speak with a certified listener, call 1-800-273-8255.

TEXT: Crisis Text Line is a texting service for emotional crisis support. To speak with a trained listener, text HELLO to 741741. It is free, available 24/7, and confidential.