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
Svp Modaxo Podcasts
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
"I Need Some Fatherly Advice." - A Transit Leadership Transition Story
22:50
22:50
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
22:50Passing 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
1
Transit Unplugged Insider: Exclusive Intel on Shutdowns, Safety, and AI
31:06
31:06
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
31:06In 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
1
Driving the Future of Transit: CEO Roundtable from APTA TRANSform 2025
40:01
40:01
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
40:01Recorded 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
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
29:06This 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
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
31:30San 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
1
LIVE EPISODE: “The ADA is the floor, not the ceiling.” — Dignity & Choice in Paratransit
31:38
31:38
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
31:38LIVE from the American Public Transportation Association's TRANSform conference, host Paul Comfort moderates a live panel on one of the most mission-critical—but often overlooked—parts of the transit ecosystem: paratransit. Presented in partnership with UZURV – The Adaptive Transportation Network Company (TNC), this candid and high-energy conversat…
…
continue reading
1
The Unmatched Power of Transit: A Conversation with Nora Leerhsen
28:18
28:18
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
28:18In this Super September episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort heads to Chicago to sit down with Nora Leerhsen, Acting President of the Chicago Transit Authority—America’s second-largest public transit system. With more than 11,000 employees, a million daily riders, and an expanding footprint, the CTA plays a massive role in the life of th…
…
continue reading
1
Inside the MTA with Demetrius Crichlow: Leading the Largest Transit System in America
29:42
29:42
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
29:42We’re kicking off Super September with a heavy-hitter: Demetrius Crichlow, President of New York City Transit. In this powerful episode, Crichlow sits down with Paul Comfort to reflect on his 20+ year rise through the MTA—from climbing signal poles at Long Island Rail Road to overseeing the nation’s largest transit system. Crichlow doesn’t sugarcoa…
…
continue reading
1
The Human Side of Transit: AI, Creativity, and Kindness with Elea Carey and Mike Bismeyer
31:56
31:56
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
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…
…
continue reading
1
What Transit Leaders Need Now: Voices from the SWTA Conference
29:14
29:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
29:14This 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 Sout…
…
continue reading
1
98% On-Time & 50 Minutes Saved — Justin Vonashek on Metro-North’s Super-Express Era
22:39
22:39
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
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…
…
continue reading
1
50 Years of MV Transportation: Harry Wilson on Culture, AI, and What’s Next
25:32
25:32
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
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…
…
continue reading
1
Beyond Ridership – Part 2: Innovation & Smart Procurement with Rikesh Shah
27:53
27:53
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
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…
…
continue reading
1
Are Transit KPI’s Broken? Value, AI, and Why We Need to Stop Chasing Ridership
32:37
32:37
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
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…
…
continue reading
1
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
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
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…
…
continue reading
1
Transit Unplugged INSIDER: Paul Comfort Answers 2025’s Biggest Industry Questions
29:22
29:22
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
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…
…
continue reading