We share the stories, challenges, and successes of the top transit professionals from around the world. Learn how top transit leaders got to where they are with stories and insights from their careers. Get the inside story about public transit and transit trends from the people who run it. Transit Unplugged is hosted and produced by Paul Comfort and brought to you by Modaxo Learn more at https://transitunplugged.com/
…
continue reading
Transit Unplugged By Modaxo Podcasts
Hosted by Julie Gates, The Transit Unplugged Weekly News Minute gives you insight into top headlines facing the transit industry today. For more transit insights and career journeys, subscribe to Transit Unplugged https://www.transitunplugged.com/
…
continue reading
1
"We’re looking at developing a national code for transit and passenger rail systems.”
24:58
24:58
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
24:58
Canada is investing hundreds of billions of dollars in new transit and passenger rail projects—but until now, there’s been no unified national standards framework to guide how those systems are designed and built. In this episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort sits down with Ana-Maria Tomlinson, Director of Strategic and Cross-Sector Progr…
…
continue reading
1
Still doing last-minute Christmas shopping? Good news — public transport has you covered.
0:59
0:59
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
0:59
🚍🎧Welcome to your Transit Unplugged #NewsMinute with Julie Gates 🚆 American Public Transportation Association is urging Congress to restore the Alternative Fuels Tax Credit, supporting transit agencies using compressed and liquid natural gas. 🍁 City of Toronto has officially opened the long-awaited Line 6 Finch West Light Rail Toronto Transit Commi…
…
continue reading
1
“We’re Ready Now.” – Jay Fox on the 2034 Olympics and Utah’s Big Transit Moment
28:50
28:50
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
28:50
In this week’s episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort sits down with Jay Fox, Executive Director of the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) — one of the fastest-growing, highest-performing transit agencies in the United States and APTA’s 2025 Transit System of the Year. Jay brings a remarkable background across FAA, FTA, Amtrak, and SEPTA — and now le…
…
continue reading
Welcome to this week’s Transit Unplugged #NewsMinute with Julie Gates. 🚆 Amtrak has restored Lake Shore Limited service between Albany and Boston after months of bus substitution caused by a land slip. 🏘️ Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has broken ground on new affordable housing at New Carrollton Station, including 112 homes…
…
continue reading
1
Stadler U.S. CEO Martin Ritter on Hydrogen Trains, U.S. Manufacturing & the Future of Rail
34:32
34:32
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
34:32
This Week on Transit Unplugged Paul Comfort sits down with Martin Ritter, CEO of Stadler U.S., one of the most innovative and fastest-growing train manufacturers in North America. From a modest foothold in the early 2000s to a nearly 600,000 sq. ft. factory in Utah, Stadler is reshaping how America thinks about rolling stock — and redefining what’s…
…
continue reading
1
Policy shifts, greener buses, and a powerful legacy
0:58
0:58
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
0:58
Policy shifts, greener buses, and a powerful legacy — it’s your Transit Unplugged #NewsMinute with Julie Gates! Federal Transit Administration update: The agency removed a provision requiring grant recipients to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement — a rule deemed unlawful. Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County scores $1…
…
continue reading
1
This 150-Year-Old “Railway” System Is Betting Big on Compressed Natural Gas
22:20
22:20
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
22:20
On this episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort sits down with Nancy Purser, Acting Director of the Hamilton Street Railway (HSR). After 15 years with the agency, Nancy now leads one of Ontario’s most historic and ambitious transit systems — one that’s preparing for transformative growth. Nancy shares how HSR is executing HSR Next: Moving Hamilt…
…
continue reading
1
Record-breaking riders, $10K bonuses, and Black Friday train deals
0:59
0:59
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
0:59
Amtrak breaks ridership records, the U.S. Department of Transportation issues $10,000 bonuses, Thanksgiving travel surges, and Black Friday rail deals roll out across Canada. Welcome to this week’s Transit Unplugged News Minute with Julie Gates. In this episode: • Amtrak celebrates a record-breaking year with more than 34 million trips, setting new…
…
continue reading
1
“More People on My Buses, More Space on the Road for You”
32:00
32:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
32:00
On this episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort sits down with Maureen Cosyn Heath, Director of Transit for the City of Mississauga and the leader of MiWay, the third-largest municipal transit agency in Ontario. Mississauga has grown rapidly to more than 775,000 residents, and MiWay is evolving right alongside the city—operating 500 buses, suppo…
…
continue reading
1
Government Shutdown Ends — Here’s What It Meant for U.S. Transit
0:59
0:59
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
0:59
This week’s Transit Unplugged News Minute covers how U.S. transit continued delivering essential services through the government shutdown, despite grant delays and reimbursement interruptions. APTA urges President Trump to reject the U.S. DOT proposal to eliminate the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund, warning it would harm riders and …
…
continue reading
1
“ Rural Public Transportation Really is a Lifeline.”
23:50
23:50
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
23:50
On this episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort sits down with Ginny Smith, Executive Director of the Cape Girardeau County Transit Authority. Ginny shares how rural transit systems provide essential access to jobs, healthcare, education, and independence for the people they serve. From vanpools that connect workers to regional employers, to a n…
…
continue reading
This week with Julie Gates on Transit Unplugged News Minute: Americans voted yes for public transit, with over 80% of ballot measures approved across the U.S. Experts weigh in on the new 10% U.S. bus tariff taking effect this month. The Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) celebrated the best in Canadian transit at the CUTA Awards, recognising…
…
continue reading
1
These Research Reports Could Change Transit Forever
55:09
55:09
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
55:09
In this special live episode of Transit Unplugged, recorded at TCRP Day in Washington, DC, Paul Comfort sits down with a powerhouse panel of transit leaders: Sarah Meyer — EVP, Chief Customer Officer at Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Jamaal Schoby — Senior Program Manager at Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Art Gu…
…
continue reading
1
It’s a big week for movement — of people, progress, and purpose
0:59
0:59
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
0:59
🗳️ City of Danville, Virginia — free rides on Election Day 🚇 Metropolitan Transportation Authority — new elevators and walkways at Grand Central 🚄 Amtrak — $30M in upgrades for North Dakota stations 🍁 Meanwhile in Montreal, our Paul Comfort joins industry leaders at Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA)’s Fall Conference to host the CEO Roundta…
…
continue reading
This week on Transit Unplugged, we’re bringing you an international perspective. Paul Comfort sits down with Laurence Broseta, International CEO of Keolis Group, for a front-row look at how one of the world’s largest operators is reimagining public transit. With operations in 13 countries, Keolis is doing more than running trains and buses—they’re …
…
continue reading
1
From free rides to 3D-printed bus parts — transit is charging ahead!
0:59
0:59
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
0:59
Maryland Transit Administration is helping federal employees during the government shutdown with free MARC Train and Commuter Bus rides. Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works just launched America’s longest all-electric BRT, complete with air-conditioned shelters and free Wi-Fi. Dallas Area Rapid Transit (Official DART pag…
…
continue reading
1
"I Need Some Fatherly Advice." - A Transit Leadership Transition Story
22:50
22:50
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
22:50
Passing the Torch at GRITS: In this episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort speaks live from the Kentucky Transit Association Trade Show with Dan Lanham and Michael Hughes of GRITS transit service. As Dan prepares to retire after nearly two decades and Michael steps up from Assistant Director to take over, they discuss the smooth leadership tran…
…
continue reading
TransLink operator Kelly Podlubny is now the 2025 World Laughing Champion! SamTranss (San Mateo County Transit District) introduces new policies to suspend riders who behave unsafely. California Governor Gavin Newsom’s AB 394 gives courts the power to ban those who assault transit workers. RTC of Southern Nevada now empowers security officers to re…
…
continue reading
1
Transit Unplugged Insider: Exclusive Intel on Shutdowns, Safety, and AI
31:06
31:06
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
31:06
In this exclusive edition of Transit Unplugged Insider, host Paul Comfort sits down with executive producer Julie Gates to unpack the biggest developments across the public transportation world—things you won’t hear anywhere else. Inside this episode: What the federal shutdown really means for transit funding—and which programs are frozen Why some …
…
continue reading
David Fink is officially confirmed as the new head of the @Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) — leading the next chapter of America’s rail future. In Buffalo, NY, transit scores a touchdown with plans for a new Buffalo Bills stadium featuring a dedicated transit hub for fans. Amtrak is back on the Gulf Coast, restoring passenger service between …
…
continue reading
1
Driving the Future of Transit: CEO Roundtable from APTA TRANSform 2025
40:01
40:01
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
40:01
Recorded Live at the APTA TRANSform Conference in Boston In this special live edition of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort moderates an inspiring CEO Roundtable with five industry leaders shaping the future of mobility. Recorded on-site at APTA TRANSform 2025 in Boston, the conversation dives into the real-world challenges and opportunities faci…
…
continue reading
Calgary revives the Vote Bus, boosting voter accessibility. Foothill Transit expands its hydrogen fueling. The MTA offers transit memorabilia. APTA celebrates CX Day, prioritizing transit customers.
…
continue reading
1
7.5M DAILY riders for a population of 5M? Winston Toh on Singapore’s Miraculous Transit Model
29:06
29:06
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
29:06
This week on Transit Unplugged: We head to Singapore, where public transit covers every inch of the island—and carries an astonishing 7.5 million riders daily. Host Paul Comfort sits down with Winston Toh, Managing Director of Tower Transit Singapore, one of four operators under the Land Transport Authority (LTA). With 800 buses across 60 routes, T…
…
continue reading
Metro-North Railroad introduces new, faster trains that reduce pollution. Boston is ranked as the best US city for public transportation. Spokane welcomes double-decker buses. Ottawa ComicCon features a costumed Mandalorian on OC Transpo.
…
continue reading
1
What San Antonio Needs from Transit Right Now — with VIA’s Jon Gary Herrera
31:30
31:30
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
31:30
San Antonio is growing—and fast. In this Super September episode, host Paul Comfort sits down with Jon Gary Herrera, the newly appointed President and CEO of VIA Metropolitan Transit, to talk about how one of America’s fastest-growing cities is reimagining transit. From expanding regional collaboration to centering equity in system planning, Jon Ga…
…
continue reading
