Transit Unplugged

“We can truly put our hand on our heart and say we built a system for Edmontonians.”

Eddie Robar has a degree in psychology and HR. But he got into the transit world after completing school. It didn’t help him at first, but his schooling is handy as the Branch Manager for Edmonton Transit Services (ETS).

Robar talks about ETS’s network redesign, where 40,000 residents participated in feedback – ultimately, changing its original transit plan by ~20% to match community response. He shares how ETS’s new name and network are about a “connected service, a connected network, for a connected community.”

Electric buses are also a hot topic – ETS ordered 40 Proterra buses. The process was a bit harder than they thought as they tried to solve three problems: long-term maintenance of the vehicles, charging simplification and garage space, and flipping a fleet from diesel to electric.

Finally, Robar shares one of the items he’s most proud of during his time at ETS – its low-income pass program. The pass program has a tremendous impact on those classified as low-income. “People don’t have to choose between whether they go to work today or whether they go get groceries.”

There is a ton going on for ETS, and if you want to know more, 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.

“This pandemic is like the entire nation is having a hurricane that just won’t go away.”

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 some of the unintended consequences agencies are dealing with after removing fares. 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 Jeff Arndt, President and CEO of VIA Metropolitan Transit, about what changes his agency is making and their plans for the FTA funding they received. 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 think the moment that public transit has right now is to really change the narrative in the COVID-19 environment.”

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 the guidelines released by the CDC for both transit drivers and passengers. We then hear from Elea Carey, who shares why she believes now is public transit’s time to shine, and Paul talks about the impacts of lost farebox revenue. Finally, hear Robbie Makinen’s foreword 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 do think that when we get out of this COVID-19 world, transit will go back to where it was before.”

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 some of the ways transit agencies are using this service downtime productively. We then hear from Peter Varga, APTA Board Member and former CEO of The Rapid transit system, about his thoughts on how agencies can recover from COVID-19 and the impact of the U.S. federal transit stimulus package. Peter then reads his chapter on the Federal Transit Authority 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.

“Over the years, we have seen a lot of change in the paratransit industry, but certainly nothing quite like what we’re going through now.”

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 some of the ways transit agencies are adapting due to COVID-19, including partnering with food banks and delivering groceries. 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 Jeff Zarr, Senior Demand Response Consultant at Trapeze Group, about what he’s hearing from paratransit agencies across the country and some of the changes they are implementing. Plus, guest author David Pickeral shares his Q&A 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 will try and use the resources and funding we have to keep everyone fully employed, socially distanced, and safe.”

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 the release of U.S. federal funds for transit agencies, and what that will mean for your agency. We then hear from Julie Timm, CEO of the Greater Richmond Transit Company, about GRTC’s new zero-fare system and how they’re trying to keep unnecessary transit ridership down. Plus, guest author Paola Realpozo shares her chapter on the future of passenger rail 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’re going to get through this crisis like everyone else, we’re going to come out the other side of this, and I think the industry will be even healthier.”

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 the newest changes in the public transport industry, including layoffs and social distancing procedures. We then hear from John Walsh, Senior VP of Sales at Proterra, about how to operate an essential business during COVID-19 and what shelter-in-place orders reveal about the necessity of electric vehicles. Plus, Paul shares another reading from his 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.

“My goal is to make every operator the best operator they can be.”

Wade Coombs started his transit career washing buses for Saskatoon Transit. Shortly after, he became an operator and eventually worked his way into management. Now he’s Director of Transit for Strathcona County Transit.

In this episode, Coombs discusses regionalization and what it is like working with seven other transit operators within the Edmonton Metro area, and how they are working on a single, Smart Fare system. Coombs also shares the importance of creating good relationships with employees and advises on how to grow your transit career. Finally, he goes into how they’ve created efficiencies to make their budget work smarter and how they are working on a pilot for on-demand services for off-peak rides.

If you want to know more about Strathcona County Transit, 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.

“Our ridership is way down, revenues aren’t coming in, but transit operators are still continuing to provide lifeline services.”

On today's episode, we discuss how Washington D.C.’s stimulus package will affect the transit industry, and then hear from Mike for "Mike's Monday Minute," a selection of feel-good stories and highlights. We then have a Newsmaker interview with Marco D’Angelo, CEO of the Canadian Urban Transit Association, on what's been happening with Canadian legislation, and some bigger-picture impacts of COVID-19. Plus, Paul shares a reading from his 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.

“It’s easier to manage the hecticness when you have a plan in place."

Community safety is a paramount concern during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether it’s your riders or employees, it’s essential to understand what you can do to help limit the spread of the novel coronavirus.

While things are changing rapidly, six guests talk about how they are handling COVID-19. As they develop plans for different scenarios, all of them have increased cleaning and sanitation measures. You’ll hear from transit leaders from the U.S.A. (MATA, DART, OmniRide, Texas Transit Association), Canada (Saskatoon Transit), and Australia (Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies).

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.