Transit Unplugged

Latest Episodes:

Electrifying Chile’s Transport: A Conversation with Transport Minister Juan Carlos Muñoz Feb 14, 2025

Show notes

This is a special episode of Transit Unplugged from our sister podcast, Mobility Redefined. Learn more about this great new show on their website: https://mobilityredefined.com/. Below are the original show notes for the episode:

In this episode of Mobility Redefined, host Dr. Kaan Yildizgoz speaks with Juan Carlos Muñoz, Chile’s Minister of Transport and Telecommunications, about the nation’s journey to sustainable mobility. They discuss Chile’s ambitious 2050 carbon neutrality goal, the electrification of Santiago’s world-leading bus fleet, and efforts to expand these innovations nationwide.

Minister Muñoz shares insights on integrating sustainable urban planning with initiatives like “15-minute cities” and highlights the transformative impact of electric buses on accessibility, user experience, and emissions reduction. The conversation also explores strategies for tackling fare evasion, the importance of governance in transport systems, and the role of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in creating efficient, flexible networks.

Chile’s global leadership in transport innovation offers valuable lessons for cities worldwide, from decarbonisation to inclusive urban design.

Episode Highlights:

• Chile’s Carbon Neutrality Goal: Minister Muñoz discusses Chile’s pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and the transport sector’s pivotal role.

• Electrification Success Story: Santiago boasts the largest electric bus fleet outside China, with plans for nationwide expansion.

• Buses as a Catalyst for Change: Electric buses improve service quality, reduce operational costs, and elevate user experience with features like air conditioning, USB ports, and Wi-Fi.

• Governance and Regulation: Insights into how effective policies ensure reliable and affordable transport, addressing funding challenges and fostering innovation.

• Tackling Fare Evasion: Multifaceted strategies, from turnstiles to digital payment options, are helping reduce fare evasion rates in Santiago.

• Urban Sustainability Vision: Beyond electrification, Minister Muñoz emphasises the importance of shorter trips, integrated systems, and 15-minute cities for a sustainable future.

• The Role of BRT Systems: Reflections on Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) as a flexible and cost-effective solution complementing metro networks.

Key Takeaways:

• Transforming public transport not only improves urban mobility but also contributes to better health, safety, and equity.

• Strong governance, stakeholder collaboration, and citizen engagement are essential for sustainable mobility initiatives.

• Chile offers valuable lessons for global cities striving to enhance their public transport systems.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Mobility Redefined

00:25 Meet Minister Juan Carlos Muñoz

01:23 Chile’s Commitment to Carbon Neutrality

06:55 Challenges and Innovations in Public Transport

13:46 The Role of Governance and Funding

22:19 The Future of BRT Systems

27:29 Tackling Fare Evasion in Santiago

Connect with Us:

Website: https://mobilityredefined.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mobility-redefined/

Mobility Redefined is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com

Host: Dr. Kaan Yildizgoz

Producer: Mike Cartmel

Executive Producer: Darren Turpin

Special thanks to:

Brand design: Tina Olagundoye

Digital Media: Belén Iturrioz Campo

Marketing content and Mobility Redefined newsletter: Mike Cartmel

If you have a question or comment, email us at mike.cartmel@modaxo.com

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this presentation, from any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken in response to it.

Australian Women in Public Transport Feb 12, 2025

Show notes

In this special episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort and co-host Kelly Chapman highlight the inspiring stories of four remarkable women leaders in Australian public transport. This is the third of five episodes coming from Paul’s recent 10-day tour of Australia. Don’t forget to also check out Transit Unplugged TV on YouTube for the TV episodes as well.

First, we hear from Lauren Streifer, Executive Director of the Public Transport Association of Australia and New Zealand (PTAANZ). Lauren's infectious energy and passion for public transport shine through as she discusses her ambitious goals for the industry, including her efforts to promote sustainability.

Next, Jamie-Lee Owen, Chair of PTAANZ's Emerging Mobility Leaders, shares her dedication to championing young professionals in the industry, emphasizing the importance of diversity and mentorship in shaping the future of public transport.

Katie Cooper, CEO of Metro Tasmania, brings a wealth of experience from her background in aviation to her current role, where she is leading innovative zero-emission bus trials. Katie's commitment to integrating her aviation expertise into public transport operations is truly inspiring.

Finally, Michelle Batsas, Executive Director of Government and Stakeholder Relations at Yarra Trams, discusses her new role and her lifelong passion for trams. Michelle, who was recently awarded the Women in STEM award for mentoring, continues to advocate for female representation in the industry, highlighting the importance of diversity and inclusion at all levels.

Tune in to hear these powerful stories and learn about the incredible work being done to promote women in public transport in Australia.

Coming up next week we have the final episode from Australian with a special tie-in to the current episode of Transit Unplugged TV from Brisbane. Brisbane City Councillor Ryan Murphy tells Paul all about Brisbane’s ferry system, light rail, and how his role as Chair of the Transportation Committee helps promote and support transit throughout the city.

00:00 Introduction and Overview of the Episode

01:03 Highlighting Women Leaders in Australian Transport

06:15 Lauren Streifer CEO, PTAANZ

07:20 Jamie-Lee Owen, Chair, PTAANZ Emerging Mobility Leaders

10:31 Katie Cooper CEO, Metro Tasmania

14:35 Michelle Batsas, Executive Director of Government and Stakeholder Relations, Yarra Trams

36:22 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes

38:19 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

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

Transportation Shakeup: New Rules that Could Impact TNCs Feb 05, 2025

Show notes

In 2016, Brad Miller, CEO of the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA), had an idea. What if subsidized rides with Transportation Networking Companies (TNCs) like Uber and Lyft could help people in his community get where they needed to go. What if you could get a subsidized Uber ride at the end of your overnight shift when regular transit isn’t running and be able to get home safely? This revolution in public transit and was seen as a model for transit innovation and quickly spread across the country. The next logical question was then: could we do the same for paratransit and offer better service to those riders and even at a lower cost?

The answer was yes. And now across the U.S., paratransit riders can book a ride at the last minute—just like non-disabled people can—to get where they need to go. But all that could come crashing to a halt if proposed changes to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) rules about using TNCs in public transit come into effect. This episode features Brad and other experts talking about how TNCs have helped the disabled community and what the impact on people’s lives will be if transit agencies have to stop using Uber and Lyft for paratransit and other on-demand rides.

Featured Guests:

• Brad Miller: CEO of the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) in Florida. Brad shares his pioneering work in integrating TNCs into paratransit services, highlighting the significant benefits and cost savings achieved. He also discusses the looming threat posed by new Federal regulations that could disrupt these services.

• Dr. Judy Shanley: National Director of Transportation, Mobility, and Youth at the National Office of Easterseals. Judy brings her extensive experience in advocating for individuals with disabilities and emphasizes the importance of innovative paratransit solutions. She voices concerns about how the proposed regulations could limit transportation options for people with disabilities.

• Alex Elegudin: CEO of Wheeling Forward and former Accessibility Chief at the New York City MTA. Alex provides a legal and advocacy perspective, detailing his efforts to improve accessibility in transportation. He discusses his recent Newsweek article that highlights the challenges and potential setbacks of the proposed regulatory changes.

• Jen Shepherd: Head of Uber's Global Transit Business. Jen explains Uber's role in supporting transit agencies and the potential consequences of the new regulations on Uber's ability to provide paratransit services. She underscores the safety measures Uber has in place and the broader implications for mobility if these services are curtailed.

Link to the proposed rule changes on the U.S. Federal Register: https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FTA-2024-0020

Coming up next week, we have the fourth of five episodes Paul recorded while visiting Australia. This week we feature just a few of the amazing women leading public transit in Australia and joining Paul, special co-host Kelly Chapman.

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:25 Meet the Panelists

03:11 Brad Miller's Innovative Approach

06:08 Challenges and Threats to Paratransit Services

07:07 Judy Shanley on Easterseals' Role

09:29 Alex Elegudin's Perspective

20:12 Jen Shepherd on Uber's Involvement

30:52 Conclusion and Call to Action

32:12 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

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

Transforming Australia’s Railways with Steve Butcher Jan 29, 2025

Show notes

In this week’s episode, host Paul Comfort sits down with Steve Butcher, Executive General Manager of Rail and Transport for John Holland. Paul and Steve caught up at the AusRail conference in Brisbane while Paul was on his 10-day tour of Australia. Steve shares his extensive career journey, starting at British Rail at age 16 all the way up to his current job at John Holland and dives into managing Yarra Trams, the Gold Coast Railway, and the Sydney Metro.

"Transforming lives through railways is what drives me every day." - Steve Butcher

Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged we have a special panel on Transportation Networking Companies (TNCs) and public transit with Dr. Judy L. Shanley, Ph.D. National Director, Transportation, Mobility, & Youth Transition at Easterseals; Alex Elegudin, CEO of Wheeling Forward; Jen Shepherd General Manager of Uber Transit; and Brad Miller CEO of Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority.

00:00 Introduction to Steve Butcher

00:26 Steve Butcher's Career Journey

00:53 John Holland Group's Major Projects

01:56 Gold Coast Light Railway and Yarra Trams

04:38 Sydney Metro and Tunnel Boring

07:26 Yarra Trams Joint Venture

11:57 Post-Pandemic Rail Trends

14:43 Australia's Investment in Public Transport

17:30 Steve Butcher's Personal Background

20:03 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

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

Ned Freeman and UZURV Helping Communities One Ride at a Time Jan 22, 2025

Show notes

Ned Freeman joins host Paul Comfort to talk about UZURV and how it's changing how paratransit is delivered in the U.S. UZURV is an adaptive Transportation Network Company (TNC) that gives transit agencies more options for delivering paratransit in their communities. Ned and Paul talk about how UZURV uses its technology to offer on-demand, ADA compliant, and cost-effective paratransit solutions. UZURV’s model combines the flexibility of solutions like Uber, with all the regulatory rigor of an internal solution.

You can learn more about UZURV on their website https://uzurv.com/

Coming up next week, we have the third of five episodes Paul recorded while visiting Australia. This week we feature just a few of the amazing women leading public transit in Australia and joining Paul, special co-host Kelly Chapman.

00:00 Why Paratransit Matters

00:19 Evolution of Paratransit Services

01:38 Interview with Ned Freeman, CEO of UZURV

01:49 Challenges and Innovations in Paratransit

04:29 UZURV's Role and Impact

20:42 Future of Paratransit

23:47 Ned Freeman's Background and UZURV's Team

28:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

28:34 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

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

How the FTA Supports Transit Across the U.S. with Acting FTA Administrator Veronica Vanterpool Jan 15, 2025

Show notes

In a Transit Unplugged exclusive, Paul talks with Veronica Vanterpool, Acting Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) about the inner workings of the FTA, how the Regional Administrators help set priorities and connect agencies with funding, the transformative developments in public transportation over the past four years, and Veronica’s vision for transit in 2025.

In the U.S., the FTA is responsible for large-scale oversight, rule-making, and, most importantly, funding for transit agencies across the country. The historic $15.5 billion in funding for transit has helped jumpstart and complete projects across the U.S., but as the Trump Administration enters the White House, what will happen with future funding tranches, especially for low-no emissions programs?

Find out this week on Transit Unplugged.

Next week on the show we have Ned Freeman, CEO of UZURV, talking about how his company is changing lives, one ride at a time.

00:00 Introduction to the show and Veronica Vanterpool

01:03 Introduction and Welcome

01:14 Challenges and Achievements in Public Transportation

02:08 Role of Public Transportation in Crisis

04:09 Federal Transit Administration's Mission and Structure

06:00 Funding and Support for Transit Projects

07:42 Congestion Pricing and Capital Investments

11:03 Accessibility and Inclusivity in Public Transit

13:36 Low and No Emission Grants

15:40 Support for Tribal and Rural Transit

19:08 Structure and Role of the FTA

25:15 Veronica Vanterpool's Background and Career

29:04 Conclusion and Future Outlook

31:18 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

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

In conversation with transit legend Howard Collins Jan 08, 2025

Show notes

This week we are proud and excited to share an interview with a true public transit legend: Howard Collins, OBE. Howard's remarkable 47 year career has taken him from London's Tube and Sydney's trains to leading transit for the state of New South Wales in Australia. Howard sat down with Paul to talk and reflect on not just where transit has been, but where it's going with workforce development, funding, and making transit just better for everyone.

This is a don't-miss interview you can draw insight and inspiration from no matter where in the world you are.

Speaking of don't-miss interviews, next week we have Acting FTA Administrator Veronica Vanterpool talking with Paul about the changes in transit over the past four years and what the future could hold in the years ahead. Make sure you subscribe or follow Transit Unplugged wherever you listen so you don't miss an episode.

00:05 Welcome to Transit Unplugged and introducing our guest, Howard Collins OBE

00:45 Howard Collins' Career Journey

01:54 Current Role and Responsibilities

03:53 Innovations and Workforce Diversity

06:53 Public Transport Challenges and Solutions

10:30 Future of Transport in Australia

14:55 Career Advice for Mid-Level Managers

17:50 Advice for Senior Leaders and CEOs

19:57 Local Manufacturing and Future Projects

22:36 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

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

Transportation Trends That Will Shape 2025 with Rudy Salo Dec 31, 2024

Show notes

In this special New Year's Eve episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul is joined by transportation expert and futurist Rudy Salo to discuss what's going to shape the entire transportation sector in 2025. From robotaxis and EVs to autonomous vehicles, Rudy shares his thoughts on transportation in Los Angeles even before the Olympics start. Rudy also explains how a little-known facet of municipal bonds could threaten transit projects across the U.S.

We kick off 2025 with the second of Paul's episodes from Australia and a true transportation legend Howard Collins, OBE. Howard talks with Paul about everything he's learned in his 47 year career, the things he's most excited about now, and what Australia needs to do to boost transit use.

More about Rudy...

The Commute: https://thecommute.substack.com/
Forbes.com: https://www.forbes.com/sites/rudysalo/
Good Is In The Details Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/01sSTIkORzkvRLW3DW6lZJ?si=cc0325a14fd74acd

The views expressed in this podcast are personal opinions and do not represent the views or policies of Nixon Peabody LLP. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional advice.

00:00 Welcome to the New Year's Eve Special

00:23 Exciting Future of Transportation in 2025

01:10 Robo Taxis and Electric Vehicles

02:45 LA Metro and Olympic Preparations

05:11 Challenges and Innovations in LA Transit

11:27 Autonomous Vehicles and Public Transit

16:33 The Importance of Municipal Bonds

21:13 Entertainment and Transportation

27:27 The Future of Public Transit: Fueling, Funding, and Faring

36:34 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

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

A Transit Unplugged Special: Looking back at 2024 and ahead to 2025 Dec 24, 2024

Show notes

We're turning the tables on host Paul Comfort this week with guest host and Transit Unplugged Executive Producer Julie Gates interviewing Paul on the best of 2024 from Transit Unplugged, what to watch for in 2025, and what they are thankful for. This is also our first video podcast on the podcast! You can watch the video version on YouTube and Spotify, and listen to the audio version everywhere else (the audio-only version will also be on YouTube). Let us know what you think of this new format in the comments on YouTube and Spotify.

We're going to close out 2024 on New Year's Eve with transit futurist Rudy Salo giving Paul his thoughts on the big trends that will influence transit next year and beyond.

00:00 Introduction to Transit Unplugged from Paul Comfort

00:15 Julie Gates Interviews Paul Comfort

01:06 Lessons from Running for Public Office

02:46 Highlights of 2024

06:18 Insights from Washington, D.C.

11:53 The Three Fs of Transit

14:13 End of Year Reflections and Gratitude

18:13 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

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

Public Transport in Australia: Turning Points, New Trends, and Big Transformations Dec 18, 2024

Show notes

We're kicking off the first of five podcast episodes from Paul's 10-day trip to Australia. First up, we have John Storms of Transit Systems Victoria and Mark Peters of Transit Systems Australia giving us an overview of transit in Australia and their plans for the future. Much like North America, Australia has cities surrounded by sprawling, low-density suburbs that are challenging for any public transit system to serve. In their separate interviews with Paul, John and Mark talk frankly about these challenges and what needs to be done to address them.

Coming up next week we have the first of two holiday specials on Transit Unplugged. First, we're turning the tables on Paul with our own award-winning radio journalist, Julie Gates, interviewing him for a change. Paul talks about the highlights from 2024 and what's ahead for 2025. Because Christmas falls on a Wednesday this year, we're releasing the episode a day early on Tuesday (Christmas Eve). We'll do the same the following week, with an episode coming out on New Year's Eve instead of New Year's Day.

00:00 Introduction and Overview of the Australian Trip

00:20 Exploring Melbourne and Hobart

00:38 Brisbane and Upcoming Podcasts

02:50 Interview with John Storms

02:58 Focus on People and Accessibility Initiatives

06:58 Hydrogen and Electric Bus Innovations

08:11 John Storms' Background and Melbourne's Growth

11:05 Interview with Mark Peters: Transit Trends and Zero Emissions

11:16 Interview with Mark Peters

19:01 Technology and Innovation in Transit

20:39 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

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