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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50 Years of MV Transportation: Harry Wilson on Culture, AI, and What’s Next
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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!
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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
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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?
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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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0:59We 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
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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
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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?
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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
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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
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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!
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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
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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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Transit News: Vancouver Bus Boom, Trump Budget & Pride!
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0:59Vancouver sees a surge in bus ridership over cars. APTA supports Trump's budget. New York gets a midtown bus terminal. Pride Month brings colorful transit vehicles. Modaxo sponsors this Transit Unplugged News Minute.By Julie Gates
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Ozzy Gibson’s Unconventional Road to Transit Leadership
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23:12
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23:12How does a career in law enforcement, animal services, and civic leadership prepare you to run a transit agency? In this week’s Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort sits down with Ozzy Gibson, Executive Director of Louisville’s Transit Authority of River City (TARC), for a candid and compelling conversation about public service, accountability, and…
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Transit News: NJ Strike Averted, Self-Driving Bus Arrives!
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0:58
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0:58Secretary Duffy pledges friendship at APTA. We cover NJ Transit's strike ending before Beyonce's concerts. Riverside debuts the first self-driving bus via a transit agency.By Julie Gates
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On the Bus with Coree Cuff Lonergan: Building Broward’s $4B Transit Future
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20:03What does it take to launch a $4.3 billion, multi-modal transit expansion? For Coree Cuff Lonergan, CEO of Broward County Transit, it takes vision, momentum—and a bit of patience. This week on Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort hops aboard with Coree for a rolling bus interview through Broward County, Florida. They talk big-picture leadership, bo…
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Transit Cybersecurity Risks, TransLink Investment & Self-Driving Shuttles
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0:59Transit agencies must prioritize cybersecurity. TransLink gets funding for bus service increases. Atlanta considers self-driving shuttles for the World Cup. Colorful benches appear at CARTA bus stops. This Transit Unplugged news is brought to you by Modaxo.By Julie Gates
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Taking The RIDE: How Michele Stiehler is Elevating Paratransit at MBTA
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27:20
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27:20Michele Stiehler knows paratransit inside and out. After 35 years at New Jersey Transit, she brought her deep operational experience to Boston’s MBTA, where she now oversees one of the largest and most complex paratransit systems in the country. In this episode, Paul Comfort talks with Michele about her leadership philosophy, the importance of fron…
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