Transit Unplugged

Latest Episodes:

Eulois Cleckley Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works May 11, 2022

Show notes

This week Paul is talking with Eulois Cleckley, Director and CEO of the Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works. Eulois manages everything from buses, trains, microtransit, and even exploring urban air mobility--yes, flying cars--along with all the roads and bridges in his county. Eulois is undertaking a massive update of the county's 3000 intersections with smart signaling technology to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion in one of the nation's most car-centric areas.

And this also happens to be our 200th episode of Transit Uplugged! Here's to another 200!

Next week on Transit Unplugged News and Views, Christiaan Blake of WMATA talks about access to transit and mobility.

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

Luc Richard RTC Quebec City May 04, 2022

Show notes

In our 199th episode, Paul talks with Luc Richard, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of Réseau de transport de la Capitale, in Quebec City, Quebec. Quebec City is one of the oldest cities in North America and one of the snowiest too. RTC delivers bus service year-round with winter weather that would shut down many transit systems. Now looking ahead to creating a more inclusive transit system, RTC created its own electric-assist bike-share service and zone-based microtransit solution for the suburban parts of the city.

RTC is also working on electrified tram, light-rail system for the city on one of the busiest corridors where keeping buses on time is a huge challenge. On the horizon is their conversion to zero emissions buses (ZEB), which given the winters in Quebec will present some unique challenges.

Next week on our 200th episode, Paul is chatting with Eulois Checkley Director and CEO of the Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works. South Florida has some of the most interesting and innovative transit programs from planning to implementation. This is an episode you won't want to miss.

If you have questions, comments, or would like to be on Transit Unplugged, email us at info@transitunplugged.com.

Steve Poftak – MBTA Apr 27, 2022

Show notes

Steve Poftak is leading the MBTA during unprecedented times. Three years into the job he's managed through a pandemic and invested billions into revamping bus and rail service across the system. The T--North America's oldest subway--is growing and adapting to new rider patterns and on the commuter rail side, he's made changes to make the largest commuter rail system in America a regional rail system people can use throughout the day to get into and out of the city.

Listen to Paul and Steve talk about the past and future of the MBTA on this week's Transit Unplugged In-depth.

Next week on Transit Unplugged News and Views Paul chats with Luc Ricard of RTC in Quebec City about his system in Quebec's provincial capital.

If you have questions, comments, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us at info@transitunplugged.com

Rich Sampson, Southwest Transit Association Apr 20, 2022

Show notes

Frequent guest Rich Sampson, Executive Director of the Southwest Transit Association, sat with Paul to give him the latest updates from D.C. on transit funding. With fiscal year 2022 appropriations set, agencies now know about their new formula fund amounts and new funding grants available to them.

Elea Carey talks about how to include the leaders in your communities in your transit marketing plans. Mike Bismeyer takes a moment to thank the people who put themselves in harm's way to keep transit safe.

Next week we have Steve Poftak of MBTA on the show and talks with Paul from the recent Smart Transit conference.

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

Adelee Le Grand. CEO HART Apr 13, 2022

Show notes

Adelee Le Grand is a long-time transit rider. Growing up in New York, Adelee says taking transit was like brushing your teeth and toothpaste--you just did it, it's always there. Transit was how you got places and experienced things. Like Terry White, and more than a few of our guests, Adelee has spent her entire career associated with transit and moving people. You can hear Adelee's passion for transit in her descriptions of her life in New York and contrasting that with cities like Atlanta or Tampa.

When the funding for transit isn't there, people just don't have the same access to opportunities she did growing up.

Many of our guests talk about the ins and outs of transit, routes, planning, frequency, but Adelee also talks about why are the buses people ride still built and designed like it's the 1980s? Or why do agencies wrap buses in advertisements for revenue and what does that say about your own branding?

Her creative, collaborative spirit building HART, an agency that's had several CEOs in the past few years, speaks volumes about her and, as she says, her calling to work in transit.

Next week on Transit Unplugged News and Views, Paul is chatting with frequent guest Rich Sampson of SWTA.

If you have questions, comments, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us at info@transitunplugged.com.

Sara Stickler, CEO WTS International Apr 06, 2022

Show notes

Sara Stickler, CEO of WTS International, chats with Paul on International Women's Day about her work supporting and creating opportunities for women in transit. Founded in the 1970s as a group providing seminars and training--since women were discouraged from joining "associations"--WTS International strives to increase opportunities for women in the transit industry. Many of the women leaders on this show--Leslie Richards, Nadine Lee, Inez Evans, and Nuria Fernandez--have all participated in WTS International over the years.

Paul and Sara talk about WTS, getting involved with chapters, their scholarship program, and the future plans for the organization.

Also on this week's show, Paul talks about new funding from the U.S. Federal government, a hot transit company listing on the NASDAQ, and reflects on the recent ThinkTransit conference. We also hear from Elea Carey and Mike Bismeyer on communications and kindness.

Next week Adelee LeGrand of HART in Tampa talks about her career and her agency on Transit Unplugged In-Depth.

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

Darren Kettle, CEO Metrolink Mar 30, 2022

Show notes

This week Paul talks with Darren Kettle, CEO of Metrolink in Southern California. Not long in the job at Metrolink, Darren is a long-time transit veteran coming from Ventura County Transportation Commission and is looking forward to building and improving a critical piece of California's public transit system. Metrolink will be a key part of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, connecting many of the venues together. In the meantime, buoyed by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Darren is investing in his system. He's expanding and improving and doing critical work to maintain Metrolink for years to come.

Darren told Paul--and this is a Transit Unplugged exclusive--that Metrolink is 100% fossil-fuel-free for its diesel vehicles. From non-revenue to the locomotives themselves, Metrolink runs entirely on bio-diesel. This is just one step in California's ambitious climate plan to reduce carbon emissions and get to zero emissions before other parts of the U.S.

Correction and update: Next week on Transit Unplugged News and Views we'll have Sara Stickler, CEO of WTS International on the show.

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

Patrick Goddard — Brightline Trains Mar 23, 2022

Show notes

This week on Transit Unplugged News and Views Paul talks with Patrick Goddard, President of Brightline Trains about high-speed rail in Florida. Brightline Trains is the only privately-held high-speed rail service in the U.S. and serves as a vital connection between South and Central and beyond. Brightline serves the niche getting people to places that are too far to drive, but too short to fly. The end goal is to make people less car-dependent; move people from their cars to something faster and more convenient. Brightline even has a door-to-door service that will get you from home to destination and back, letting you just leave your car at home.

We also hear from Elea Carey and Mike Bismeyer bringing your dose of communications and leadership insights.

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

Mohammed Salim Al Ghafri — COO Mwasalat, Oman Mar 16, 2022

Show notes

Continuing the series of interviews from the UITP MENA Congress and Expo earlier this year, Paul speaks with Mohammed Salim Al Ghafri, COO of Mwasalat in the Sultanate of Oman on how he's creating a transit culture in a country where private cars are cheap and affordable.

One of the newer transit agencies in the world, Mwasalat manages the bus and ferry service connecting the major cities in Oman to each other and neighboring countries like the UAE.

It's been an uphill battle to get people to switch from the convenience of private cars to public transit, but with satisfaction and on-time performance both above 90%, they are clearly doing something right!

Next week on Transit Unplugged News and Views, Patrick Goddard of Brightline Trains talks with Paul about connecting cities too close to fly, but too far to drive to across Florida and California.

If you have a question, comment, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, feel free to email us anytime at info@transitunplugged.com

Noormah Noor Express Rail Link Mar 09, 2022

Show notes

Noormah Noor, CEO of Express Rail Link in Malaysia has accomplished something that very few people have done--create an award-winning, world-class, and economically viable high-speed rail service. ERL runs between Kuala Lumpur and the airport connecting downtown for travelers and everyday commuters. Her service offers nonstop service, including airport check-in , from downtown to the airport. And if you'd like a white glove experience, their VIP service brings you door to door including handling your luggage.

Noormah focused her energy not just on running a great service, but also running a viable service as well. Working as part of a government contract ERL designed, built, maintains, and operates the system. ERL was able to weather the Asian financial crisis by making sure she built a system based on sound business principles.

And it's paid off. Winning award after award, ERL is an example for the world for how to operate high speed rail effectively.

This week we also hear from Elea Carey and Mike Bismeyer with their regular segments.

If have questions, comments, or would like to be a guest on Transit Unplugged, email us at info@transitunplugged.com.

And make sure you join the Transit Unplugged crew at ThinkTransit in Forth Worth, March 20-23.