Transit Unplugged

Latest Episodes:

Will Low Emission Zones Discourage Driving in the UK with Adam Hill Nov 15, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort interviews Adam Hill, Editor in Chief of ITS International Magazine. They discuss the challenges and prospects of high-speed rail in England and the US, including the various political and logistical issues. Adam explains London's new Ultra Low Emission Zone, designed to encourage public transit use and discusses the struggles with its introduction. They explore how public transit can be made popular, touching on how to capture public interest and cater to convenience for the users. Paul and Adam wrap up the episode discussing the impacts of congestion charging and low emissions zones in encouraging public transit use.

In Mike's Minute, Mike Bismeyer reports from the CUTA Meeting in Edmonton about the Youth Leadership Summit and his work mentoring future transit leaders.

Coming up next week we have Scott Smith, former CEO of Valley Metro reflecting on transit and leadership.

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

00:00 Introduction and Introducing Adam Hill

01:21 Adam Hill's Background and Role at ITS International Magazine

02:38 Challenges and Developments in High Speed Rail

17:03 Exploring the Impact of ULEZ in London

21:37 Political Implications of ULEZ and Public Transit

26:21 Mike's Minute with Mike Bismeyer

28:04 Coming up next week on the show

Why would a transit CEO pick up 500 tons of trash as his first priority on the job? Nov 08, 2023

Show notes

This week, we give you Part 2 of our special CEO roundtable recorded live at APTA TRANSform Conference and EXPO. The conversation picks up with host and producer Paul Comfort asking the panel what are the big projects they have going on. From Dave Dech's trash clearing to Coree Cuff Lonergan's just culture, each CEO highlights an essential aspect of public transit today.

The discussion continues with each CEO talking about the biggest trends facing the industry, including payments, apps, transit-oriented development, and providing a better experience for customers.

Make sure you listen to the whole episode with Dave Dech from TriRail, Coree Cuff Lonergan from Broward County Transit, Dottie Watkins from CapMetro in Austin, Tiffany Homler Hawkins from LYNX in Orlando, and Frank White from KCATA in Kansas City.

After the CEO Roundtable, Elea Carey has some concrete tips for connecting with employees to help towards what Coree would call a "just culture".

We're not done with Orlando yet! This week on Transit Unplugged TV we're featuring Orlando, LYNX, and Brightline Trains! Make sure you check us out on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@transitunplugged

Here is a direct link to the Orlando episode now out https://youtu.be/0E0rtccMjCw?si=wEN85Gn3L9g892Qw

Next week on the show we have Adam Hill, Editor-in-Chief of ITS International Magazine https://www.itsinternational.com/, talking with Paul about high speed rail and the complexities of lowering emissions from passenger vehicles.

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

Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo, Passionate About Moving the World's People.

00:00 Introduction and Transition to Projects

01:06 Dave's Project: Cleaning Up the Tracks

02:48 Dottie's Project: New Station Construction

06:24 Tiffany's Project: Contactless Fare Payment

08:50 Frank's Project: Transit-Oriented Developments

11:18 Coree's Project: Creating a Just Culture

14:15 Future Technology in Transit

22:27 Best Things Happening at Agencies

28:40 Marketing Minute with Elea Carey

28:40 What's coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

Randy Clarke Has Boosted WMATA, But a Budget Crisis Looms Large Over His Success Nov 01, 2023

Show notes

Welcome to our 6th anniversary and the start of season 7 of Transit Unplugged. Host Paul Comfort has a special opening reflecting on the past 270+ episodes so far and what lies ahead down the road. In our interview this week, we have Randy Clarke, GM and CEO of WMATA (Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority) https://www.wmata.com/, chatting with Paul from his new LEED Platinum office building.

In his first year as CEO, Randy has:

fixed safety issues with his trains
improved frequency
increased ridership
reduced fare evasion
worked to reduce crime on the system
and begun an ambitious project to update the Metro bus routes

By any accounts, a successful first year on the job, but...

But WMATA faces a looming budget shortfall larger than many agencies' entire budget. Learn how he's approaching the crisis and what he's doing to protect service levels and his people.

After the interview, regular contributor Mike Bismeyer reflects on Randy's leadership and everything else he does across the transit industry.

Coming up next week we have part 2 of our special new CEO roundtable recorded live at APTA TRANSform Conference and EXPO. In part two you'll hear about the projects they have on the go, what new technologies they have their eyes on, and what they want to celebrate at their agency.

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

Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo, Passionate About Moving the World's People.

Randy Clarke Has Boosted WMATA, But a Budget Crisis Looms

00:00 Introduction and Reflection on the Sixth Anniversary of the Transit Unplugged Podcast

01:09 Interview with Randy Clarke, GM of WMATA: Leading a Major Transit Agency and Facing Looming Challenges

02:07 Randy Clarke's Journey as CEO of WMATA

03:04 Challenges and Achievements at WMATA

05:58 Addressing the Fiscal Crisis in WMATA

10:09 Dealing with the Fiscal Cliff, Funding, and Budgets

17:09 Fighting Fare Evasion and Supporting Low Income Riders

19:21 Delivering a Bus Route Optimization Project in Only a Year

21:35 Efforts to Curb Crime in the Transit System

25:48 What Randy Enjoys Most About His Job

30:16 Mike's Minute with Mike Bismeyer: Reflection on Leadership and Mentorship

32:12 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

The surprising things about being a public transit CEO in 2023 Oct 25, 2023

Show notes

What's it like being the CEO of a transit agency? Paul Comfort asked a panel of five CEOs who've been on the job for about a year what it's been like, what's surprised them the most, and why they love working in transit.

Listen to this lively and engaging panel featuring Coree Cuff Lonergan, GM of Broward County Transit, Dave Dech, Executive Dir of Tri-Rail, Dottie Watkins, CEO of CapMetro, Frank White III, CEO of KCATA, and Tiffany Homler Hawkins, CEO of LYNX where they candidly share their experiences, surprises, and insights about leading a transit agency.

They discuss how their work impacts the lives of their customers and what it means to them personally. They touch on all the things CEOs have to think about, plus some things you might not have thought about. It's a fascinating roundtable that showcases the passion and dedication of these transit leaders.

Also on the show in Elea Carey's Marketing Minute, Elea gives you practical tips for improving internal communications at your agency.

Next week is our sixth anniversary and the start of season seven! We kick off season 7 episode 1 (and our 278th episode) with Randy Clarke, CEO of WMATA. Randy talks about his first year on the job, what's gone well, what hasn't, and what a looming fiscal cliff means for his agency, his people, and riders.

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

00:00 APTA CEO Roundtable Stories from New CEOs

00:00 Making an impact on people's lives

00:45 About this episode from your host Paul Comfort

01:33 Discussion with five new Transit CEOs recorded live at APTA TRANSform Conference and EXPO

32:41 Marketing Minute with Elea Carey

35:05 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

Season 6 : Episode 52

Links for this show:

Carl Sedoryk Putting His Community, Riders, and the Planet First Oct 18, 2023

Show notes

This week Paul Chats with Carl Sedoryk, CEO of Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) https://mst.org/ , about his jazz-themed BRT line, applying their new vision statement to serve the people who need transit the most better, and how his practice of martial arts makes him a better leader.

Monterey-Salinas Transit is in an interesting place, geographically and within the larger transit industry. Nestled on the Pacific coast and the Salinas Valley, Carl serves a unique community from tourists to farm workers. Carl and MST approach serving the community with their new vision statement as a guidepost: Connecting communities, creating opportunities, and being kind to the planet. Everything they do must check one of those three boxes (and hopefully more). From planning for zero emissions to adjusting routes to serve areas with high unemployment/low car ownership, Carl are changing how their system works.

Throughout this is an internal guide for Carl: his decades-long practice of martial arts. Hear what values he brings from his practice and how it helps him lead his agency.

Mike Bismeyer connects with kindness in MST's vision and then reflects on the recent APTA Transform Conference and EXPO. How he saw examples everywhere of people and leaders sharing and mentoring others.

Next week on the show we have an episode recorded live at APTA. It's a new CEO panel with Coree Cuff Lonergan, Dave Dech, Dottie Watkins, Frank White, and Tiffany Homler Hawkins reflecting on their first year as CEO at a major transit agency.

Questions/comments: info@transitunplugged.com.

Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo. Passionate about moving the world's people.

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(00:00) Carl Sedoryk Putting Riders and the Planet First

(00:02) Does the project match our mission and vision

(20:33) Mike's Minute with Mike Bismeyer

(22:12) What's coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

Chapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm.

6 :51

Monterey-Salinas Transit - Learn more about this unique transit district and its jazz-themed BRT line.

Modaxo 2025

AI in Transit Panel with Eve Machol and Renee Autumn Ray Oct 11, 2023

Show notes

This week we focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in public transit with Eve Machol, Director of Aviation and Transportation Strategy at Microsoft, and Renee Autumn Ray, Senior Director of Transportation Policy at Hayden AI https://www.hayden.ai/. As both our guests point out, AI in transit isn't new; we've been using AI for years, but with recent attention on generative AI tools like ChatGPT, AI is the hot topic on everyone's minds.

Eve and Renee talk with Paul and our Producer/Editor Tris Hussey about how transit agencies are already using AI, addressing concerns about using AI at your agency, and what's on the horizon for AI in the short, medium, and long term. From more dynamic route planning to predictive maintenance, traffic control to autonomous vehicles, AI is set to be the next game changing innovation in public transit.

We hear from Elea Carey on how to leverage the media to communicate new programs or changes--like AI projects--to the public. It's not easy to get your message out with the right tone and angle, Elea gives you tips on leveraging owned and earned media to get the word out.

Next week on the show we have Carl Sedoryk, CEO of the Monterey-Salinas Transit agency, talking about how his martial arts practice makes him a better leader and what's being done to connect more people to more opportunities in his community.

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

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(00:00) AI in Public Transit Past, Present, and Future (audio)

(00:03) Eve Michol -- AI is not new

(00:20) The future of AI in Public Transit with Eve Michol and Renee Autumn Ray

(29:55) Marketing Minute with Elea Carey

(31:45) Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

Chapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm.

In Conversation with Laura Hendricks: How Transdev Brings Expertise to Agencies Across North America Oct 04, 2023

Show notes

This week Paul talks with Laura Hendricks, CEO of Transdev US https://transdevna.com/ , about her career starting as a driver at FedEx, Trandev's global expertise transitioning to zero emissions, and how Transdev combined with First Transit brings more cohesive transit solutions to transit agencies.

As the largest private transportation contractor in the world, Transdev is uniquely positioned to apply its global expertise to a wide range of transit needs and challenges. From zero emissions to schools to paratransit, Transdev covers the gamut of needs for communities. And Laura takes the responsibility to build and support a robust transit infrastructure seriously. Laura refers to her leadership role at Transdev as her legacy project--something her children and grandchildren can look on and see her positive impact on the world.

Tune in for this amazing interview with one of the world's great transit leaders.

In our Mike's Minute segment, Mike Bismeyer reflects on Laura's words and connects them to the CUTA Fall Conference and Young Leaders Summit. Mike zeros in on the importance of mentors and flexibility in your career. You never know just where transit will take you in your career. Listen to Mike's advice in his segment.

Next week on the show, we're bringing you a special in-depth look at AI in public transit. Paul and producer/editor Tris Hussey are joined by guests Eve Machol of Microsoft and Renee Autumn Ray of Hayden AI to talk about how AI is changing all facets of how public transit is delivered today and what the future holds in this space.

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

Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo, passionate about moving the world's people.

Enriched by Vizzy

(00:00) Laura Hendricks, CEO Transdev US

(00:03) Learning and earning your way into leadership

(00:24) Interview with Laura Hendricks, CEO of Transdev U.S.

(32:47) Mike's Minute

(34:43) Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

Chapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm.

Diana Kotler moves her community in the happiest place on Earth in Anaheim Sep 27, 2023

Show notes

This week join Paul in conversation with Diana Kotler, CEO of the Anaheim Transit Network https://rideart.org/. Recorded live at APTA Tech earlier this summer, Paul and Diana connect transit, tech, and people in this engaging interview.

Diana runs a very unique transit system. It's funded by businesses, but all Anaheim residents and people who work in Anaheim ride for free. Tourists coming to visit the city pay a small fare to ride all day on a completely cashless system. And the goal of the system has always been to support the community and reduce congestion in the city.

And, they've been running electric buses for 20 years, AKA, before they were cool.

Listen to the whole conversation and learn how the agency was started and their plans to support the tourist industry.

Also on the show Elea Carey and our producer/editor Tris Hussey share their ideas for how agencies can help tourists use transit when they visit.

Next week on the show we have a special interview with Laura Hendricks, CEO of Transdev U.S. Paul and Laura talk about the role of contracting in public transit around the world and how Transdev is using its global experience to move us towards a zero emissions future.

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

Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com/ , passionate about moving the world's people.

Enriched by Vizzy

(00:00) Reducing congestion and preserving culture

(00:42) Interview with Diana Kotler, CEO of the Anaheim Transit Network

(23:31) Marketing Minute with Elea Carey

(26:18) Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

Chapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm.

Mike Noland on the Path Forward and Improving Service on Commuter Rail Sep 20, 2023

Show notes

This week Mike Noland, President and GM of the South Shore Line https://mysouthshoreline.com/, joins Paul to talk about commuter rail in the Midwest. The South Shore Line connects Northwestern Indiana with Chicago. This busy corridor is used by commuters and casual riders heading into the Windy City for work or fun. Mike talks about the South Shore Line, how he's adapting to changing ridership, and his double-tracking project to expand capacity and flexibility on the line.

Commuter rail is in a tremendous state of flux right now. Commuters are coming back slowly, but with very different travel habits than they did three years ago. Choice riders, or people who use the train to quickly get between cities, often travel at "off peak" times like midday, evenings, and weekends. Mike talks about what changes and amenities are needed to get more people out of their cars and onto trains.

Mike concludes with a discussion about high-speed rail and what's needed to make these a reality in the U.S.

We wrap this episode with Mike's Minute with regular contributor Mike Bismeyer reminding us of the value and learning we get from each other as we head into the fall conference season.

Next week on the show, we're joined by Diana Kotler, CEO of the Anaheim Transit Network, and how her business-supported transit system gets tourists and the people of Anaheim around the Happiest Place on Earth (West Coast edition).

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

Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo. At Modaxo, we're passionate about moving the world's people, and at Transit Unplugged, we're passionate about telling those stories. https://www.modaxo.com/

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(00:00) Mike Noland, President of the South Shore Line

(27:57) Mike's Minute with Mike Bismeyer

(29:23) Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged Diana Kotler, Anaheim Transit Network

Chapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm.

Mark Joseph Looks Back at Going From Taxis to Transdev and What’s Next for Transit Sep 13, 2023

Show notes

This week Paul continues his look back at his time working at Yellow Transportation with the former CEO of Yellow, Veolia, and Transdev, Mark Joseph (now CEO of Mobitas Advisors--https://www.mobitasadvisors.com/).

Mark is a true leader and visionary in the transit industry. Mark recounts how he took a failing taxi business and created a business that would be a leader in public transit contracting.

Mark reflects on the future of transit, talking about workforce challenges, the opportunities (and pitfalls) of AI, and how we need to look to technology to move the industry forward.

In our Marketing Minute, Elea Carey gives some tips for using generative AI tools like ChatGPT to help create more content for your agency's blog.

Coming up next week, we have Mike Noland, President and GM of the South Shore Line, talking with Paul about commuter rail connecting Northern Indiana and Chicago, but more importantly, what's really needed to boost inter-city rail in the U.S.

If you have a question or want to be a guest on the show, you can email us at info@transitunplugged.com.

Transit Unplugged is brought to by Modaxo -- https://www.modaxo.com/ . At Modaxo we're passionate about moving the world's people, and at Transit Unplugged we're passionate about telling those stories.

Enriched by Vizzy

(00:00) Mark Joseph Mobitas Advisors

(00:23) Mark Joseph, CEO Mobitas Advisors

(29:44) Marketing Minute with Elea Carey

(31:57) What's coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

Chapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm.