Transit Unplugged

"We have been entrusted with such an important responsibility." 

Innovation evangelist, mobility game-changer, and transit leader Nuria Fernandez shares her remarkable journey to where she is now - GM and CEO of Santa Clara's Valley Transportation Authority. 

Born and raised in Panama, she ended up studying civil engineering in the United States, in the "land of caterpillars" state of Illinois. After graduating, her first foray into transit began when she worked at the Panama Canal for one year, before moving back to the US. 

A lifelong public transit rider, Nuria shares her interesting experiences working for large public transit agencies, as well as in the Clinton Administration at the Department of Transportation, and now also as the 2019-2020 APTA Chair.

Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.

“Our job is to … innovate and design technologies that can solve the pandemic issue, address the pandemic issue, or better prepare us for a future that’s even worse.”

As COVID-19 affects public transit dramatically, we’re proud to present a special edition of Transit Unplugged led by transit evangelist and Trapeze VP Paul Comfort. In today’s episode, Paul talks about public transit’s advanced cleaning measures to protect employees and riders. Then, hear Josipa Petrunic, Executive Director & CEO of CUTRIC (Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium), talk about innovating and designing technologies for COVID-19 and future pandemics. We also hear from Mike Bismeyer for Mike’s Minute, where he encourages us to stay safe and pay it forward to those in need. Plus, listen to a reading from the bestselling new book The Future of Public Transportation.

To keep informed on COVID-19, please visit the World Health Organization, Government of Canada, or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Our economy is built on those frontline folks, and transit is moving those frontline folks, which makes us the foundation of the foundation.”

One of the industry’s top and most respected leaders joins the podcast today – Phil Washington, CEO of LA Metro. He discusses the impact of the coronavirus pandemic – how it has affected Measure M, and he talks about the money received through the federal stimulus package. He also shares some recovery ideas, and questions if some of the changes implemented because of COVID-19 will become the new normal.

Finally, Washington gives updates on the transportation school his team is working on. The school will eventually teach grades 9-12. It will focus “on transportation infrastructure, and prioritizes the kids in the foster care system, low-income kids, kids whose parents have been exposed or engaged in the criminal justice system.” At the school, they’ll learn about planning, engineering, public-private partnerships, funding, maintenance, and everything else encompassing transportation infrastructure. It is the first of its kind, and we can’t wait to see it in full force.

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

Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.

“I use public transit, so I need it to be there.”

As COVID-19 affects public transit dramatically, we’re proud to present a special edition of Transit Unplugged, led by transit evangelist and Trapeze VP Paul Comfort. In today's episode, we discuss how transit helps to keep essential workers moving. We then hear from Mike Bismeyer for “Mike’s Minute,” where he challenges us to pay kindness forward. Paul then talks with Pierre Racz, CEO of Genetec, about the potential drawbacks of utilizing thermal cameras. Plus, listen to a reading from the bestselling new book, “The Future of Public Transportation.”

To keep informed on COVID-19, please visit the World Health Organization, Government of Canada, or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.

“I no longer want to go back to normal. I’m ready for something new.”

As COVID-19 affects public transit dramatically, we’re proud to present a special edition of Transit Unplugged led by transit evangelist and Trapeze VP Paul Comfort. In today’s episode, join us for an exclusive Executive Roundtable featuring Lauren Skiver (SunLine Transit), Peter Stark (Whatcom Transportation Authority), Elea Carey, and Sam Sargent (Capital Metro). Learn what they're doing to move forward on transit projects during COVID-19 and what to consider as you do, too.

To keep informed on COVID-19, please visit the World Health Organization, Government of Canada, or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.

“We need public transportation to come back because we need our cities to come back, and we need our economy to come back.”

As COVID-19 affects public transit dramatically, we’re proud to present a special edition of Transit Unplugged led by transit evangelist and Trapeze VP Paul Comfort. In today's episode, we discuss how COVID-19 may lead to the death of the farebox. We then hear from David Zipper, a Visiting Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School's Taubman Center for State and Local Government, about how he believes COVID-19 will influence Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS). Plus, Christian Kent reads his chapter from the bestselling new book, “The Future of Public Transportation.”

To keep informed on COVID-19, please visit the World Health Organization, Government of Canada, or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.

“We know this too shall pass, and once it does, we have to come out of it prepared to conduct business in a good fiscal manner.”

As COVID-19 affects public transit dramatically, we’re proud to present a special edition of Transit Unplugged led by transit evangelist and Trapeze VP Paul Comfort. In today's episode, we discuss how agencies are using technology to manage their transit systems during COVID-19. We then hear from Mike Bismeyer for “Mike’s Monday Minute,” where he encourages us to stay safe and pay it forward to those in need. Paul then talks with Gary Thomas, President of Dallas Area Rapid Transit, about what he believes the lasting financial implications of COVID-19 will be on transit. Plus, listen to Brett Koenig’s chapter from the bestselling new book, “The Future of Public Transportation.”

To keep informed on COVID-19, please visit the World Health Organization, Government of Canada, or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.

“This pandemic has really given the public transit industry a gut punch.”

As COVID-19 affects public transit dramatically, we’re proud to present a special edition of Transit Unplugged led by transit evangelist and Trapeze VP Paul Comfort. In today’s episode, join us for an exclusive CEO Roundtable featuring Inez Evans (IndyGo), Scott Bogren (CTAA), Wade Coombs (Strathcona County Transit), Julie Timm (GRTC), Kevin Quinn (MTA Baltimore), and Bill Carpenter (RGRTA). Learn how their agencies are managing through COVID-19, what lessons they have learned, and how they believe this pandemic will affect the future of transportation.

To keep informed on COVID-19, please visit the World Health Organization, Government of Canada, or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.

“We have to be extremely focused on what the customers’ needs are, and I think that’s the only way we’re going to get back up to pre COVID-19 ridership levels.”

As COVID-19 affects public transit dramatically, we’re proud to present a special edition of Transit Unplugged led by transit evangelist and Trapeze VP Paul Comfort. In today's episode, we discuss how transit agencies are partnering with charitable organizations to help their local communities. We then hear from Erinn Pinkerton, CEO of B.C. Transit, about how she believes public transit will change in the coming months. Plus, listen to a reading from the bestselling new book, “The Future of Public Transportation.”

To keep informed on COVID-19, please visit the World Health Organization, Government of Canada, or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.

“This has had a tremendous impact on our bus systems and paratransit systems.”

As COVID-19 affects public transit dramatically, we’re proud to present a special edition of Transit Unplugged led by transit evangelist and Trapeze VP Paul Comfort. In today's episode, we discuss how rural communities are dealing with COVID-19, and if there is a federal transit stimulus coming for Canada. We then hear from J. Roger Morton, President and GM of Oahu Transit Services, about the impact COVID-19 is having on his agency and its existing projects. Plus, Jeff Ardnt, CEO of VIA Metropolitan Transit, reads his chapter from the bestselling new book, “The Future of Public Transportation.”

To keep informed on COVID-19, please visit the World Health Organization, Government of Canada, or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Remember to check out transitunplugged.com to learn from top transit professionals and stay up to date to catch all the latest episodes.