Go offline with the Player FM app!
Are Transit KPI’s Broken? Value, AI, and Why We Need to Stop Chasing Ridership
Manage episode 496038868 series 2997685
Only 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 deliver it more efficiently.
Featuring:
Mark Aesch – CEO, TransPro Consulting
Why ridership is a misleading primary metric; shifting from volume to value; what the 84% really care about (jobs access, service for older adults/people with disabilities, low‑income mobility); and how current federal incentives (unlinked passenger trips, revenue miles) work against customer satisfaction. Mark also previews how FTA reform could move agencies from “happy buses” to “happy customers.”
Alvin McBorrough – CEO, OGx Consulting
Practical AI use cases transit agencies can deploy now: real‑time passenger tools (ETAs, chatbots), predictive maintenance, route optimization, computer vision for safety, demand forecasting, and digital twins for planning. Turning “data rich, information poor” operations into smarter decisions—and doing more with less.
Resources & Links:
https://www.transproconsulting.com/
https://www.middlegeorgiarc.org/transportation/
Subscribe & Stay Connected:
Like what you heard? Subscribe to Transit Unplugged on your favorite podcast platform, or sign up for the newsletter at TransitUnplugged.com for weekly updates from the field.
Podcast Credits:
Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo
- Creator, Host, + Producer: Paul Comfort
- Executive Producer: Julie Gates
- Producer + Newsletter Editor: Chris O’Keeffe
- Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin
- Podcast Intern: Desmond Gates
Special thanks to:
Brand Design: Tina Olagundoye
Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova
Got a question or comment? Email us at: [email protected]
Subscribe to the newsletter:
transitunplugged.com/subscribe-to-the-transit-unplugged-newsletter
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. This production belongs to Modaxo and may contain information 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.
303 episodes
Manage episode 496038868 series 2997685
Only 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 deliver it more efficiently.
Featuring:
Mark Aesch – CEO, TransPro Consulting
Why ridership is a misleading primary metric; shifting from volume to value; what the 84% really care about (jobs access, service for older adults/people with disabilities, low‑income mobility); and how current federal incentives (unlinked passenger trips, revenue miles) work against customer satisfaction. Mark also previews how FTA reform could move agencies from “happy buses” to “happy customers.”
Alvin McBorrough – CEO, OGx Consulting
Practical AI use cases transit agencies can deploy now: real‑time passenger tools (ETAs, chatbots), predictive maintenance, route optimization, computer vision for safety, demand forecasting, and digital twins for planning. Turning “data rich, information poor” operations into smarter decisions—and doing more with less.
Resources & Links:
https://www.transproconsulting.com/
https://www.middlegeorgiarc.org/transportation/
Subscribe & Stay Connected:
Like what you heard? Subscribe to Transit Unplugged on your favorite podcast platform, or sign up for the newsletter at TransitUnplugged.com for weekly updates from the field.
Podcast Credits:
Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo
- Creator, Host, + Producer: Paul Comfort
- Executive Producer: Julie Gates
- Producer + Newsletter Editor: Chris O’Keeffe
- Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin
- Podcast Intern: Desmond Gates
Special thanks to:
Brand Design: Tina Olagundoye
Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova
Got a question or comment? Email us at: [email protected]
Subscribe to the newsletter:
transitunplugged.com/subscribe-to-the-transit-unplugged-newsletter
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. This production belongs to Modaxo and may contain information 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.
303 episodes
All episodes
×Welcome to Player FM!
Player FM is scanning the web for high-quality podcasts for you to enjoy right now. It's the best podcast app and works on Android, iPhone, and the web. Signup to sync subscriptions across devices.