Transit Unplugged

Latest Episodes:

Just Don’t Make Expensive Mistakes and Other Lessons from Adam Barth, CEO of the Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority Jan 17, 2024

Show notes

Sometimes we're so afraid of making mistakes, that we don't push ourselves to take a chance on a new innovative idea. We've all been there, but in this conversation Adam Barth, CEO of the Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority--https://stanrta.org/--, reveals advice he got from a mentor at a critical time in his career.

Paul Comfort sat down with Adam Barth, CEO of Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority to talk about his career journey from starting our as a tour bus driver in Fairbanks, Alaska, to leading the newly merged transit Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority in Modesto, California. Adam talks about the challenges he faced while merging the county and city transit systems, and the lessons learned from the experience. Adam also discusses the agency's plans for implementing bus rapid transit and their move towards zero-emission buses. Finally, Barth emphasizes the importance of transit leaders riding their systems to better understand their customers and their needs with a story about simply just taking the bus to work.

Transit Unplugged team:

Paul Comfort, host and producer

Julie Gates, executive producer

Tris Hussey, editor and writer

Tatyana Mechkarova, social media

00:04 Introduction and Background of Adam Barth

02:42 Adam Barth's Career Journey in Transit Industry

05:06 Learning from Mistakes: A Key to Success

08:01 The Merger of City and County Transit Systems

11:09 Challenges and Future Plans for Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority

20:56 The Importance of Riding the System as a Transit Leader

24:30 Don't miss the Executive Summit at ThinkTransit March 25th!

26:04 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

How SEPTA is Making a Difference in the Lives of Vulnerable People Jan 10, 2024

Show notes

Host Paul Comfort interviews Ken Divers, Director of Outreach Programs at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), and Flora Castillo, President of Pivot Strategies and former APTA chair, about SEPTA's innovative SCOPE (Safety, Cleaning, Ownership, Partnership, and Engagement) program. Ken and Flora talk with Paul about how they created the program over a weekend and its goals for helping vulnerable people.

One of the main goals is connecting people with resources to help them with housing, food, healthcare, and other services, but SCOPE is also about playing an active role in the homelessness crisis. SEPTA--and transit agencies--can't solve the crisis of the growing number of unhoused people on their own, but they often bear the brunt of the effects. People just looking for a warm and dry place need to be helped and supported, not treated as unwanted guests. The SCOPE program makes sure everyone is treated with the respect and dignity they deserve while also keeping SEPTA safe for everyone.

The SCOPE program won APTA's 2022 Innovation Award for its groundbreaking work helping people access resources and get a fresh start with a whole new approach to the problem.

Flora and Ken's excitement and pride in their work should inspire all of us to look at how to help vulnerable people in new ways. Enforcement isn't always the best option, and SCOPE has shown their approach can make a real difference in people's lives.

If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com.

Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo.

Transit Unplugged team:

Paul Comfort, host and producer

Julie Gates, executive producer

Tris Hussey, editor and writer

Tatyana Mechkarova, social media

00:03 Introduction and Background

01:17 Interview with Ken Divers and Flora Castillo

02:03 The Birth of the SCOPE Program

05:49 The Journey and Impact of Kenneth Divers

09:24 The Approach and Success of the SCOPE Program

13:16 Partnerships and Future Directions

20:46 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

Creating the first modern streetcar network and the storied career of Congressman Earl Blumenauer Jan 03, 2024

Show notes

Over his five-decade long career in politics Congressman Earl Blumenauer has been a staunch support of transit and livable cities. Paul sat down with Rep. Blumenauer after a chance meeting at the Impact Conference in Phoenix last fall to talk about his life, career, passions, and what's next after he leaves Congress at the end of his term.

In their wide-ranging discussion, Paul and Rep. Blumenauer talk about what got him into politics, and more importantly, his lifelong passion for streetcars, transit, livable communities, and bikes. It's not often you get to hear from someone who has had his hand on the wheel of transit policy for so long. From his early work in Portland to create the first modern streetcar line in the U.S. to his continued passion for livable communities that will keep him busy when he retires from Congress at the end of his term this year, you get a true sense of passion and insight into what really moves people.

As we come into an election year in the U.S. strong advocacy for transit, sustainability, and more livable cities will be more important than ever.

Coming up next week on the show we have Ken Divers and Flora Castillo talking about the SEPTA SCOPE program that's aimed at helping vulnerable populations get the help they need while also making transit safer for everyone.

If you have a question, comment, or want to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us at info@transitunplugged.com.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:25 Interview with Congressman Earl Blumenauer

05:47 Discussion on Streetcars and Public Transit

09:52 Congressman's Career and Achievements

24:13 Future Plans and Final Thoughts

26:31 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

Special Episode: Jeff Wood and Dr. Karel Martens on planning our cities for accessibility Dec 29, 2023

Show notes

We have a special holiday gift for you with a special bonus episode to close out the year. We worked with Jeff Wood from Talking Headways and The Overhead Wire -- https://theoverheadwire.com/ -- to trade episodes with each other. Jeff will be playing our interview with Randy Clarke that kicked off Season 7 and we have his interview with Dr. Karel Martens from March 2021 talking about the philosophy behind city planning.

This is something very different from our usual topics, and we hope you enjoy it.

Make sure you check out The Overhead Wire and Talking Headways wherever you get your podcasts.

Questions, comments? Email us at info@transitunplugged.com.

00:02 Introduction with Paul Comfort and Jeff Wood

01:01 About the Talking Headways Podcast

02:05 Introducing the Guest and Topic

03:19 How to Access the Talking Headways Podcast

03:41 Interview with Karel Martens with Jeff Wood of the Overhead Wire

03:47 Interview with Karel Martens

13:10 Exploring Theories of Justice in Transport

27:59 Understanding the Concept of Fair Distribution

28:33 Exploring the Idea of Insurance Schemes in Resource Distribution

29:46 Applying the Veil of Ignorance to Transport System Design

31:03 The Importance of Accessibility in Transport Systems

37:21 The Role of Government in Providing Sufficient Accessibility

49:46 Re-evaluating the Use of Cost-Benefit Analysis in Transport Planning

56:16 Thank you for listening and what's coming in January

Taylor Swift and the rebirth of transit in 2023 Dec 27, 2023

Show notes

In our final regular episode of Transit Unplugged for 2023 we have Paul Skoutelas, President & CEO of APTA, and Petra Mollet, VP of Strategic International Programs at APTA talking with Paul about the year that was in 2023 and what we should be looking forward to in 2024.

The boost in infrastructure funding was, of course, the big news of the year, but it's somewhat overshadowed by ongoing funding issues at many agencies across North America.

But it's not all bad, because Taylor Swift's Eras Tour introduced a whole new audience to transit this year. In city after city, the Eras Tour triggered massive transit use to get to the concerts.

Heading into 2024, everyone is optimistic that we're finally shaking off the focus on ridership numbers and moving towards what is the service we're offering, and are we serving everyone we should?

Before we completely close out the year, we have a very special episode. We've traded episodes with the Talking Headways podcast and bringing you a special episode on the philosophy of planning our cities to be more accessible and inclusive. Learn more at https://theoverheadwire.com/.

We kick off the New Year with Rep. Earl Blumeneaur talking about his over fifty years of public service and his life-long advocacy for better transit.

If you have a question or comment email us at info@transitunplugged.com.

0:00 Year end wrap up with Paul Skoutelas and Petra Mollet

00:02 Introduction and Guest Overview

00:50 Reflecting on the Success of Transit Unplugged in 2023

03:00 Discussion with APTA Leaders: Reflecting on 2023 and Looking Ahead to 2024

03:52 Insights from Paul Skoutelas on APTA and Public Transit

05:47 Discussion on Public and Private Sector Collaboration

07:26 Challenges and Successes in Public Transit in 2023

15:06 International Perspectives on Public Transit

15:17 Insights from International Study Missions

19:50 Looking Ahead: Trends and Predictions for 2024

26:53 Closing Remarks

27:51 Coming up next on Transit Unplugged

Can Public-Private Partnerships Complete Transit Projects Faster? Dec 20, 2023

Show notes

Welcome to the penultimate episode of Transit Unplugged for 2023! This week we wrap our series recorded at the CUTA conference in Edmonton with an interview with Arthur Nicolet, CEO of Transdev Canada (https://www.transdev.ca/en/).

Paul and Arthur not only talk about contracting in Canada, but pairing with the episode featuring Transdev US CEO Laura Hendricks, talk about the role of contracting around the world. Contracting seems to naturally pair with public-private partnerships (P3s) and Arthur talks about the benefits for all sides when agencies and private contractors are free to find the best solution to solve the problem at hand, not the solution people initially thought would be the right one.

Paul and Arthur wrap the conversation with a look at ahead to 2024 and the role of AI in transit--one of our favorite topics here on Transit Unplugged.

Next week in the final episode of 2023, we have Paul Skoutelas and Petra Mollet of APTA looking back at the year and ahead to what's to come.

And we're going to have a special bonus episode coming out December 29th, so stay tuned for that.

If you have a question or comment, you can reach us at info@transitunplugged.com.

00:00 Introduction to this episode by Paul Comfort

01:48 Introduction and Background of Transdev Canada

04:37 Understanding Public-Private Partnerships

09:58 The Role of Contractors in Public Transit

15:50 Future Trends in Public Transit

23:19 The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Public Transit

26:01 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

Is the great hydrogen pivot coming to transit in 2024? Dec 13, 2023

Show notes

Will battery electric buses work in the northern-most large city in North America? This week on Transit Unplugged, we continue our series from the CUTA conference in Edmonton, AB. Edmonton has been leading the way in transit for 20 years. The first city in Canada to have LRT and now the first city to have a hydrogen fuel cell bus in active service. So what's next?

Deputy City Manager--and former head of the Edmonton Transit System--Eddie Robar talks about plans to make oil-rich Alberta the hydrogen capital of Canada. Then we get a tour of Canada's largest electric bus garage with current head of Edmonton Transit (https://www.edmonton.ca/edmonton-transit-system-ets), Carrie Hotton-MacDonald. Carrie takes Paul for a tour of the Kathleen Andrews bus garage with modern amenities for drivers and advanced charging for their battery electric fleet.

And if you liked this audio tour, you'll love Transit Unplugged TV this month featuring Edmonton! The episode premiers December 14.

Coming up next week, we have a special chat with Arthur Nicolet CEO of Transdev Canada to talk about contracting in Canada and what the biggest trends in transit are.

Speaking of transit trends, our final episode of the year airs December 27th featuring Paul Skoutelas, CEO of APTA and Petra Mollet VP of Strategy and International Programs at APTA looking back at transit in 2023 and ahead to what will shape transit in 2024.

We'll have a special bonus holiday episode we think you'll really enjoy from another transit podcast. Stay tuned for that!

Questions? Email: info@transitunplugged.com

0:00 Is the great hydrogen pivot coming to transit in 2024?

00:00 Introduction to Edmonton's Transit Innovations

01:39 Edmonton's Transition to Alternate Fuels

02:38 Edmonton's Electrification Journey

05:24 Inside Edmonton's Hydrogen Powered Buses

09:11 Career Pathways in Public Transportation

11:33 ThinkTransit Registration is open!

13:05 Interview with Carrie Hotton-MacDonald, Head of Edmonton Transit

13:16 In the Kathleen Andrews Bus Garage

14:32 Dispatch area

14:56 Operator Lounge

15:24 In the garage--charging infrastructure

16:13 How buses are charged

17:28 Inside an electric bus

19:12 Dealing with the cold and scale of the garage

23:15 Edmonton's New LRT Line and Future Plans

25:18 Outside the bus garage

What if public transit agencies drove housing policy? Dec 06, 2023

Show notes

This week we have the first of three episodes recorded during the CUTA (Canadian Urban Transit Association) Annual Fall Conference. In this first episode, Paul first sits down with the President and CEO of CUTA, Marco D’Angelo talking about housing policy, and later with regular contributor Mike Bismeyer, talking about how Mike started his life-long kindness advocacy.

Paul and Marco talk about CUTA’s recent report on the housing affordability crisis in Canada https://cutaactu.ca/cuta-report-highlight-how-public-transit-can-help-tackle-canadas-housing-crisis/. Marco talks about some of the recommendations in the report, but more importantly, he advocates for evolving the role of transit in planning and housing to be more active and collaborative at all levels of government.

In the second half of the show, Mike Bismeyer and Paul talk about how Mike’s experience being bullied as a kid turned into his life-long advocacy for kindness and mentorship.

Next week on the show, we learn about Edmonton Transit’s new hydrogen-powered bus with Eddie Robar and Carrie Hotten MacDonald.

If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com.

00:00 Introduction

01:28 Discussion on the CUTA Conference and Housing in Canada

04:07 Insights on the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA)

04:32 Exploring the Housing Affordability Crisis in Canada

08:29 Recommendations from the Housing Study

15:51 Interview with Mike Bismeyer on Kindness and Mentorship

21:21 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

Meeting The Transit Needs and Keeping Cool in America’s Fastest Growing County Nov 29, 2023

Show notes

This week we’re staying in Phoenix and picking up where we left off last week. Paul talks with current Valley Metro (https://www.valleymetro.org/) CEO Jessica Mefford-Miller about the light rail expansion, but more than that, Jessica talks about how Valley Metro keeps its cool in the scorching summer heat.

You would not believe the amount of air conditioning needed for each light rail train. Small hint, it’s more than a house or two.

While riding the LRT and streetcars Paul and Jessica talk about how Valley Metro is helping businesses deal with construction and how Artsline brings art to the community while taking transit.

As a special feature, Paul talks with Ryan Johnson, CEO of Culdesac, about this car-free planned community outside of Tempe—with its own light rail stop!

Valley Metro and Phoenix will be the stars of the show on Transit Unplugged TV in January. Make sure you subscribe on YouTube you so don’t miss this smokin’ hot episode. https://www.youtube.com/@transitunplugged

Next week on the show we have Marco D’Angelo President and CEO of CUTA (Canadian Urban Transit Association) and regular contributor Mike Bismeyer with interviews recorded at the recent CUTA conference held in Edmonton, AB.

Question or comment? Email us at info@transitunplugged.com.

0:00 Beating the heat at Valley Metro

01:26 Introduction to Valley Metro Light Rail

02:01 Addressing Construction Impact on Local Businesses

03:00 Exploring the Valley Metro System and its Expansion

04:15 Adapting to Post-Pandemic Ridership Patterns and Heat Challenges

11:57 Exploring Culdesac: A Car-Free Neighborhood

18:03 New LRT trains at Valley Metro and the growth of LRT

18:51 Artsline: community art across Valley Metro stops and stations

20:29 The Future of Valley Metro and Transit in Phoenix

22:22 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

That Time When Defeating a Ballot Measure Was Good for Transit with Scott Smith Nov 22, 2023

Show notes

Usually when people vote on ballot measures about transit, the transit agency and supporters want the measure to pass.

Not in Phoenix in 2019.

That ballot measure would have literally derailed bringing light rail--any rail--to Phoenix forever. Then Valley Metro CEO Scott Smith rallied support throughout Maricopa County and discovered there was overwhelming support for transit and light rail. So much support that the ballot measure was defeated by a landslide.

But we start this episode with a somber anniversary, 60 years ago today John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. In a special segment, Paul and our guest Scott Smith reflect on JFK's legacy and call to service.

In our feature interview, Paul Comfort talks with the former CEO of Valley Metro (https://www.valleymetro.org/) Scott Smith about that ballot measure, as well as his time as Mayor of Mesa, AZ, President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and his run for Governor of Arizona.

Paul and Scott talk about the massive investment in light rail in Phoenix and how it ties into the rest of the transit system run by Valley Metro. Scott gives his vision for what LRT means to communities and how rising costs hamper transit projects across North America.

Next week we stay in Phoenix with an interview with the current CEO of Valley Metro, Jessica Mefford-Miller to bring us up to speed on the LRT project and a unique car-free community outside Tempe, AZ.

We wrap this episode with Elea Carey and our editor Tris Hussey talking about practical tips for agencies facing tough ballot measures in the future.

If you have a question or comment you can email us at info@transitunplugged.com

00:00 Introduction from host and producer Paul Comfort

00:54 Remembering JFK and the Call to Public Service

01:24 Reflecting on the legacy of John F. Kennedy and the call to public service

05:19 Interview with Scott Smith, former CEO of Valley Metro in Phoenix, AZ

05:19 Scott Smith's Journey into Public Service

08:37 The Challenges and Triumphs of Building Light Rail in Phoenix

13:34 The Referendum Battle and the Future of Light Rail

22:05 Reflections on the Transit Industry and Future Perspectives

26:02 Marketing minute with Elea Carey and Transit Unplugged Editor, Tris Hussey

30:42 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged