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/
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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/
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The Human Side of Transit: AI, Creativity, and Kindness with Elea Carey and Mike Bismeyer
31:56
31:56
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31:56We’re getting the band back together. In this special episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul catches up with longtime contributors Mike Bismeyer (a.k.a. the King of Kindness) and Elea Carey, marketing strategist and founder of Transit Happy. These two familiar voices helped shape the podcast during the pandemic—and now they’re shaping the industry. Mik…
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Transit News: SEPTA Cuts, Sound Transit, Dogs on Ferries!
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0:58
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0:58Transit faces funding cuts as fares rise. Seattle celebrates a groundbreaking, while Toronto expands affordable housing near transit. And, dogs ride inside Washington State Ferries!
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What Transit Leaders Need Now: Voices from the SWTA Conference
29:14
29:14
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29:14🎙️ This Week on Transit Unplugged On the Road in New Orleans: SWTA Summer Conference Spotlight In this special conference edition of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort is on location at the SWTA Summer University Conference in New Orleans, where he dives deep into the challenges and opportunities facing small and mid-sized transit systems across the S…
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Transit News: Molinaro, CT Transit, and Fare Evasion
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0:58
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0:58Transit news flashes: A commitment to slash bus costs! CT Transit hits 50, while TransLink unleashes collector cards. San Francisco throws shade at fare evaders—and the Dodgers. Catch the latest in transit!
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98% On-Time & 50 Minutes Saved — Justin Vonashek on Metro-North’s Super-Express Era
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22:39
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22:39On the heels of his February appointment, Metro-North Railroad President Justin Vonashek sits down with Paul Comfort to break down a banner year for the MTA’s northern commuter powerhouse. From 98 percent on-time performance to new “Super-Express” trains that shave up to 50 minutes a day off the New Haven run, Justin walks through the big wins, big…
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Transit News: Molinaro, Heat Relief, and Psychedelic Buses!
0:59
0:59
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0:59Marc Molinaro's confirmation as FTA administrator marks a new era! Valley Metro battles record heat with passenger relief. Plus, MV Transportation hits 50, and San Francisco throws it back with psychedelic buses.By Julie Gates
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50 Years of MV Transportation: Harry Wilson on Culture, AI, and What’s Next
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25:32
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25:32MV Transportation just hit a milestone few transit firms reach—its 50th anniversary. To mark the occasion, host Paul Comfort interviews Harry Wilson, the firm’s Executive Chairman, about: A 50‑Year Origin Story —How Alex and Feysan Lodde's single van in San Francisco grew into the largest American‑owned transit contractor in North America. “The New…
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Transit News: FTA Grants, APTA Tech, & Singing Bus Operators!
0:59
0:59
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0:59Transit agencies get flexibility on no-emissions grants, plus APTA Tech kicks off in Miami. OC Bus drops an unforgettable earworm with a dancing bus operator—you've been warned. "You will put it on repeat." And, Transit Unplugged wins a Spotlight Award!By Julie Gates
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Beyond Ridership – Part 2: Innovation & Smart Procurement with Rikesh Shah
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27:53
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27:53Last week, Mark Aesch and Alvin McBorrough unpacked a striking statistic: only 4 % of Americans ride transit, yet 84 % of people say they value it. This week we keep that conversation going with Rikesh Shah, former Chief Innovation Officer at Transport for London. Together with host Paul Comfort, Rikesh explores how customer‑focused metrics, open d…
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Free Shuttles, Streetcar Expansions & a Warning from TriRail
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0:59
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0:59From budget battles to viral transit wins—here’s what’s making headlines: • TriRail may shut down after $27M in cuts • KC Streetcar extension set to open this October • Maryland Transit releases a bold new rider experience plan • Brightline shuttles fans to Coldplay’s Miami show • Tampa Airport breaks the internet with one brilliant post Transit ne…
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Are Transit KPI’s Broken? Value, AI, and Why We Need to Stop Chasing Ridership
32:37
32:37
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32:37Only 4% of Americans ride transit—but 84% of people in communities with transit say they value it. In this episode, Paul Comfort digs into the details with Mark Aesch (CEO, TransPro Consulting) and Alvin McBorrough (CEO, OGx Consulting). Together they unpack two big levers for agency performance: measuring what actually matters and using AI to deli…
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Transit Gets Multilingual, Ice Cream for Riders, and a $4B Blowout
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0:59
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0:59We unpack the FRA's funding pullback from California High-Speed Rail. Also, TransLink employees are assisting riders speaking over 40 languages. We celebrate National Ice Cream Day with Rhode Island's fun transit promotion.By Julie Gates
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Reclaiming Your Creativity Through Transit, Chatting w/ the Editor of Mass Transit Magazine, and Will LA Be Ready for the Olympics?
22:23
22:23
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22:23In this special roving-reporter edition of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort takes you inside the 2025 CTAA Expo in San Diego, where he caught up with some of the brightest minds in community and rural transit. From paratransit operations to industry journalism to frontline safety, these conversations reflect the energy, challenges, and innovati…
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Faster Buses, Electric Fleets & Insider Intel
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0:59
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0:59We break down the latest transit updates, including faster Queens buses, Denver's crime data transparency, and Ottawa's electric fleet expansion. We also delve into the new Transit Unplugged Insider show, offering exclusive industry insights and discussion around transit funds.By Julie Gates
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Transit Unplugged INSIDER: Paul Comfort Answers 2025’s Biggest Industry Questions
29:22
29:22
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29:22What’s really going on behind the scenes of U.S. public transportation policy? In this special edition of Transit Unplugged Insider, Executive Producer Julie Gates turns the mic on our usual host, Paul Comfort, for a revealing look at the shifting political and funding landscape in Washington—and what every transit executive needs to know right now…
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We're diving into the latest transit news! Jacksonville's AV service launch, TransLink's electric bus boost, Sioux City's ridership surge, and Harvard's bus roadeo. Stay updated with the cutting-edge advancements in public transportation!By Julie Gates
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No Uber, No Lyft, No Taxis—So They Built Their Own Transit System
17:19
17:19
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17:19How do you rebuild a public transportation system from the ground up? In this episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort sits down with Mallory Avis, Director of Public Transit for the City of Battle Creek, Michigan, to talk about one of the most ambitious overhauls of a small-city transit system in the U.S. today. Recorded live at the CTAA Expo in…
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We're celebrating big wins! Albuquerque BRT hits 10M riders, TransLink gains revenue, and WeGo rocks July 4th! Plus, APTA's awards are announced – see this year's transit stars!By Julie Gates
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Global Lessons, Local Gains: What Can Public US Transit Systems Learn From Private Operators in UK And Asia?
34:08
34:08
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34:08In this episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul talks with Samuel Ribeiro, Managing Director of Tower Transit in the UK, part of global transport powerhouse Kelsian Group. With operations spanning Liverpool and the Channel Islands, Samuel shares how lessons from bus systems across four continents—from Australia to Singapore, Brazil to London—are helping…
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NYC Traffic SOLUTION! Brightline's Feast & Transit Heroes!
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0:59
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0:59We're diving into NYC's congestion pricing success! 🚗💨 Plus, check out Brightline's Miami food hall & Honolulu's transit legends. We're saving time & celebrating achievements!By Julie Gates
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Green Hydrogen and CEO Hiring Secrets in America’s Most Livable City
26:54
26:54
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26:54What does it take to build a transit system that powers a city—and wins global recognition for livability? In this episode of Transit Unplugged, Ryan Daniel, CEO of St. Cloud Metro Bus, and Dave Kleis, Board Chair and former mayor of St. Cloud, Minnesota, share how their long-running partnership has driven bold innovation and national recognition. …
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Stay updated with Transit Unplugged News! We cover Rural Transit Day, Trinity Metro's Blue Line launch, New Orleans' late-night ferry pilot, Halifax's free student rides, and San Diego's Comic-Con trolley wrap. Your source for urban transit news!By Julie Gates
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Detroit Transit: Robert Cramer on the People Mover, Fare-Free Service, and Urban Mobility
24:22
24:22
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24:22When most people think of Detroit, they think cars. But behind the Motor City moniker is a layered, multi-agency public transit system—and Robert Cramer is helping connect the dots. As Executive Director of Transit for the City of Detroit, Cramer leads both DDOT and Detroit Transportation Corporation, operator of the iconic elevated People Mover. I…
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LAX Train, Phoenix Rail, Austin Police: Transit News!
0:58
0:58
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0:58LAX welcomes train service, Phoenix expands light rail, Austin launches transit police, and Modaxo debuts "Parking Live" podcast.By Julie Gates
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From Amtrak to Annapolis: Markus Moore’s Lifetime Career in Transit
21:37
21:37
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21:37Markus Moore, Director of Transportation for the City of Annapolis, joins Paul Comfort from the rooftop of the Hillman Garage during Naval Academy Commissioning Week for a wide-ranging conversation about his remarkable journey through transit. From helping launch high-speed rail in North America as part of the Acela project at Amtrak, to managing l…
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