Transit Unplugged

Latest Episodes:

David Kim – Secretary of Transportation for the State of California Mar 10, 2021

Show notes

“We need transit to not only survive the pandemic, but to thrive.”

Joining the Transit Unplugged podcast for this episode is David Kim, Secretary of Transportation for the State of California. David chats with Paul Comfort about CalSTA’s new high-speed rail project, the future of zero-emission buses, and his thoughts on autonomous vehicles.

David also joins Paul’s new lightning round to share his favorite books, musicians, and predictions for the future of public transportation.

If you want to know more about the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA), check out their website.

Assistant Transit Bureau Chief, Arlington Department of Environmental Services, Division of Transportation Mar 03, 2021

Show notes

“We have two projects that were always on our books and our capital improvement program, however with the Amazon decision, it did provide us with the ability to actually put those projects forward even quicker.”

On this episode of Comfort's Corner, part of the Transit Unplugged podcast, Pierre Holloman, Assistant Transit Bureau Chief at the Arlington Department of Environmental Services Division of Transportation, joins Paul Comfort to discuss what Amazon’s new Arlington office means for their transit agency. Pierre also chats about ART’s new maintenance and operations facility, and how they are continuing to implement their capital projects during COVID-19.

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

Anne Graham – National Transport Authority Feb 24, 2021

Show notes

“In times of crisis, you tend to come up with more creative solutions when you want to deliver them quite quickly.”

Joining the Transit Unplugged podcast for this episode is Anne Graham, Chief Executive Officer of the National Transport Authority of Ireland. Anne chats with Paul Comfort about three major projects that the NTA is currently working on, including creating the first underground metro in Ireland and electrifying their rail network.

Anne also provides an in-depth look into the Irish government’s response to COVID-19, and the unique restrictions they put into place to keep transit operators safe.

If you want to know more about the NTA, check out their website.

Comfort’s Corner: Scott Bogren – Community Transportation Association of America Feb 17, 2021

Show notes

“We’re trying to remind Congress that the pandemic’s everywhere. And transit is a national program. It's not a program in 15 largest cities in the country. It's a national program, and if we're going to be able to get votes in Congress to the numbers we need, members need to have a reason to vote for the transit in their communities.”

On this episode of Comfort's Corner, part of the Transit Unplugged podcast, Scott Bogren, Executive Director at Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA), joins Paul Comfort to discuss the impact of federal funding on small and rural transit agencies. Scott also chats about the next round of transit funding coming out of Washington D.C. and how transit agencies can help their local communities with vaccine distribution.

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

Sir Peter Hendy CBE – Chair of Network Rail Feb 10, 2021

Show notes

“It's not transport for the sake of it … it's got a purpose, and it's worth investing in for that purpose. And as habits change, we should adapt what transit is there for to address the issues.”

Joining the Transit Unplugged podcast for this episode is Sir Peter Hendy CBE, Chair of Network Rail. Sir Peter shares the story of his long and illustrious career in the transit industry and talks about the long and short-term implications of COVID-19 on the United Kingdom’s transit systems.

Sir Peter also provides an in-depth look into the future of Network Rail and discusses why he’s unashamedly a self-proclaimed transit enthusiast.

If you want to know more about Network Rail, check out their website.