Transit Unplugged

In the first of three special Transit Unplugged episodes, we bring you the keynote from Day One of Virtual ThinkTransit (VTT).

 Robbie Makinen's (CEO of the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority) keynote was an inspiration to the entire audience. Robbie is well known as an inspiring speaker and he did not disappoint today. He lost his sight about eight years ago and related a story about sitting in the car with his son and how it was a turning point for him.

Everyone is dealt a bad hand sometimes, Robbie says, the question is how do you deal with it. Will you be a sail or an anchor? Will you push on or drag down?

Robbie chose to sail.

Robbie believes transit agencies need to be woven into the fabric of society. Transit is essential for millions of people. He talks about going fare-free and how that it's not a loss in revenue, but an investment in people. People take the money they would have spent on transit in the community. The money doesn't disappear, it goes back into the community.

"Transit agencies shouldn't be off on an island. Stop thinking of yourself as just a transit agency. Think about weaving yourself into the community." --Robbie Makinen

Robbie's challenge to all of us is ask ourselves why we do what we do. Why do we work at our jobs? For many of us, that answer is helping people in their daily lives. And Robbie's inspirational words remind us all of that.

“This industry is absolutely crucial for people to live their lives in the way that they are used to doing.”

On this episode of Comfort's Corner, part of the Transit Unplugged podcast, Luke Antoniou, Editor of Intelligent Transport, joins Paul Comfort to discuss new transit trends in Europe and his thoughts on Mobility-as-a-Service. Paul also shares an exciting Q&A from ThinkTransit featuring Elea Carey, John Sisson, and Sam Sargent.

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

“I have always said that crisis breeds innovation.” 

Joining the Transit Unplugged podcast for this episode is Clinton Forbes, Executive Director at Palm Tran. Clinton chats with Paul Comfort about Palm Tran’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, their new flex routes for remote areas, and shares his thoughts on the future of electric vehicles.  

Clinton also joins Paul’s lightning round to share his favorite books, hobbies, and more.  

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

“We're looking at the big picture. Where are we going? What's happening? How do we make this all make sense together?” 

On this episode of Comfort's Corner, part of the Transit Unplugged podcast, Valerie Neilson, Deputy Director of the Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency, joins Paul Comfort to discuss the role of a metropolitan planning agency and how they interact with the local community. Valerie also chats about her passion for “complete streets” and prioritizing safety for users of all ages and abilities.  

If you want to know more about the Palm Beach TPA, check out their website.  

“I think we are best prepared and situated to be holistic transportation service providers, and we should not limit ourselves and stay in one lane.” 

 Joining the Transit Unplugged podcast for this episode is Nat Ford, CEO of Jacksonville Transportation Authority. Nat chats with Paul Comfort about the latest and greatest innovations at the JTA, from vaccine buses to microtransit, and shares more about JTA’s unique autonomous vehicle Test and Learn track.  

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

“We're fortunate enough to work in a community that is supportive of our efforts.” 

On this episode of Comfort's Corner, part of the Transit Unplugged podcast, Brian Litchfield, Transit Director for the Town of Chapel Hill, joins Paul Comfort to discuss how COVID-19 has helped to bring his agency closer to the local community. Brian also chats about Chapel Hill Transit’s investments in clean energy and their unique fare-free model. 

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

“These people who take care of us every day, we need to take care of them, and make sure that we're ensuring that our services are for everyone.”  

Joining the Transit Unplugged podcast for this episode is Tilly Chang, Executive Director for the San Francisco County Transportation Authority. Tilly chats with Paul Comfort about autonomous vehicles, the impact of TNC’s such as Uber and Lyft in San Francisco, and her thoughts on how public transit will recover from COVID-19.  

Tilly also joins Paul’s new lightning round to share her favorite books, musicians, and her unusual family pet.  

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

“When we're challenged in transit, that's often sometimes where the greatest innovation comes.” 

On this episode of Comfort's Corner, part of the Transit Unplugged podcast, Christian Kent, Transit Management Consultant and former Assistant GM at WMATA, joins Paul Comfort to discuss how he believes paratransit services will change after COVID-19. Christian also chats about his career in the transit industry, and shares industry trends he’s seeing in transit recruitment. 

If you want to know more about Christian, check out his website.  

“We need transit to not only survive the pandemic, but to thrive.”  

Joining the Transit Unplugged podcast for this episode is David Kim, Secretary of Transportation for the State of California. David chats with Paul Comfort about CalSTA’s new high-speed rail project, the future of zero-emission buses, and his thoughts on autonomous vehicles. 

David also joins Paul’s new lightning round to share his favorite books, musicians, and predictions for the future of public transportation.  

If you want to know more about the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA), check out their website.  

“We have two projects that were always on our books and our capital improvement program, however with the Amazon decision, it did provide us with the ability to actually put those projects forward even quicker.” 

On this episode of Comfort's Corner, part of the Transit Unplugged podcast, Pierre Holloman, Assistant Transit Bureau Chief at the Arlington Department of Environmental Services Division of Transportation, joins Paul Comfort to discuss what Amazon’s new Arlington office means for their transit agency. Pierre also chats about ART’s new maintenance and operations facility, and how they are continuing to implement their capital projects during COVID-19. 

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