x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Transit Unplugged

Paul Comfort, SVP Modaxo

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/

business careers

All Episodes

28:50

Lauren Skiver – SunLine Transit

Transit Unplugged ·

2018/06/29

“I think public transit operators can also become these dynamic, changing organizations if we are given that latitude to do it.”Having been part of small, medium, and large agencies, Lauren Skiver knows the rewards and challenges each face. Now CEO at SunLine Transit, she talks about the importance of making her staff part of creating SunLine’s future, and the common need for all agencies: money. Skiver also dives deep into the work SunLine is doing around alternative fuels and zero emissions –

en

28:32

Peter Varga – The Rapid

Transit Unplugged ·

2018/06/15

“How do we – in a disruptive world – adapt so that we actually succeed?”Peter Varga, an industry legend, started as a bus driver and worked his way through the industry to be CEO of The Rapid in Grand Rapid Michigan. In this episode, Varga discusses The Rapid’s new Bus Rapid Transit line and working with new payment options. He also goes into detail on his work as a past APTA Chair, and how transit has to be part of the larger mobility paradigm by serving the high-capacity corridors in urban

en

31:29

Michael Terry – IndyGo

Transit Unplugged ·

2018/05/31

“If [your employees] are not proud of what they’re doing and what they’re delivering and how they’re delivering it, then why would anyone else feel that way?”On this episode of Transit Unplugged, Michael Terry, President & CEO at IndyGo, discusses increasing the frequency of their bus service in high-density areas, the plan for three new Bus Rapid Transit lines, and what it means to be a good steward of public money. He also questions how to embrace alternatives as partners, and shares the

en

26:52

Paul Wiedefeld Part 2 (of 2) – Washington...

Transit Unplugged ·

2018/05/15

“It’s innovative because we are using data to [ask], ‘What does that do? How can we improve the system?’”Paul Wiedefeld, CEO of WMATA returns to Transit Unplugged to finish up his conversation with host Paul Comfort. In part 2 (of 2), Wiedefeld goes into the importance of using big data and analytics to make better business decisions. He also discusses the unique finance structure of WMATA, the innovations WMATA is bringing online, and gives updates on the purple and silver lines. Enjoy the

en

28:34

Paul Wiedefeld Part 1 (of 2) – Washington...

Transit Unplugged ·

2018/04/30

“What we’re about is safety. And safety trumps service.”One of the most famous names in the public transit industry, Paul Wiedefeld, joins Transit Unplugged. Having spent time in the public and private sector, Wiedefeld is currently the CEO of WMATA. The first in a two-part episode, Wiedefeld discusses the cultural shift from service first to safety first, the challenges of shutting down, their SafeTrack plan, and their Back2Good campaign. It’s an exciting one, so sit back and enjoy.If you want to

en

27:27

Michael Allegra – Retired Transit CEO, Utah Transit...

Transit Unplugged ·

2018/04/16

“Cities are the engines of this nation. To have healthy and thriving cities, you need a good public transportation system. You need good mobility.”Michael Allegra, now retired, is the former CEO of the UTA. His public transit career is a bit of an oddity because he spent his entire 37-year career with a single agency. In this episode, Allegra discusses the big victories during his time at UTA (hosting the Winter Olympics and building 200km of transit in 14 years) and how partnerships were essential

en

35:01

Carolyn Flowers – AECOM

Transit Unplugged ·

2018/03/29

“You have to understand the state of your assets, what is the lifecycle and what is your replacement cycle, and how are you going to prioritize [your assets].”It is an absolute pleasure to have industry legend Carolyn Flowers on Transit Unplugged. She has held prominent roles in the industry, including COO of LA Metro, CEO of Charlotte Area Transit System, and Acting Administrator of the FTA. Now leading AECOM’s transit business in North America, Flowers gives an in-depth look at the FTA and

en

31:49

Nat Ford – Jacksonville Transportation Authority

Transit Unplugged ·

2018/03/15

“I think, when we talk public transit, we are limiting ourselves. We are mobility managers.”Nat Ford started his public transit career as a train conductor for New York MTA. He went on to work for the Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART), Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), and San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA). Currently, he is the CEO of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) and Chairman of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). In

en

18:55

Paul Ballard – Fort Worth Transportation Authority

Transit Unplugged ·

2018/02/28

“Anything that gets people out of the single occupant vehicle…is good for transit. It’s good for everybody. It’s good for the communities.”Paul Ballard, CEO of Fort Worth Transportation Authority (FWTA), goes in-depth on FWTA’s new commuter service, TEXRail. Using the new Fast Light Innovative Regional Train (FLIRT), the service spans 27 miles. Ballard also talks about the T Master Plan, how bus service is like the limbs of a tree, and how they plan to expand bus service.If you want to know more

en

31:24

David Leininger – Dallas Area Rapid Transit

Transit Unplugged ·

2018/02/15

“We were going to do this in a way where it was multimodal, multijurisdictional, [and] multiproduct.”Are disruptive and displacement technologies an opportunity? Or an existential threat? Does public transit need to start acting more like the private sector – getting speed to market, while seeking cheaper options? Is the future really mobility as a service (MaaS)? David Leininger, CFO at Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), looks to answer all this (and more) on this episode of Transit Unplugged.If you

en

34:11

Dr. Robert Schneider – Potomac and Rappahannock...

Transit Unplugged ·

2018/01/31

“Don’t think our customers don’t have answers.”Dr. Robert Schneider, Executive Director of Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC), joins this episode of Transit Unplugged to share the history of PRTC and how he got into the transportation industry. Additionally, he discusses how without PRTC there would be ~4000 cars added to Interstate 95. Finally, Dr. Schneider talks about four things to make transit relevant (plan it, track your vehicle, pay for it, and play).If you want to

en

29:29

Phil Washington – Los Angeles County Metropolitan...

Transit Unplugged ·

2018/01/15

“The future is bright. There is a transportation revolution going on in LA and the country.”Phil Washington spent 24 years in the United States Army before moving into the transit industry. Now CEO of LA Metro, Washington has spent 18 years between two agencies (Denver and LA Metro). LA Metro is in charge of transit, highway, and regional planning for all of LA County (the largest county in the U.S.). He discusses the “financial lasagna” funding LA Metro’s major projects and what’s next for transit

en

30:35

Mark Joseph – Transdev North America

Transit Unplugged ·

2017/12/29

“Helping cities achieve their vision for mobility.”Mark Joseph, Global Chief Development Officer for Transdev, believes that “there’s never been a more exciting time to be in the transportation business.” This episode's discussion consists of Transdev’s three primary business operations (large transit, rail, and on-demand), the problems of cities (congestion, pollution, and navigation), and how the future of transit revolves around being a personalized, autonomous, connected, and electric

en

31:14

Brad Thomas – First Transit

Transit Unplugged ·

2017/12/15

“There’s no substitute for being on the road…out in the operations, out in the systems, out talking to the clients, talking to the riders, [and] talking to the employees.”Private contracting public transit is one of many options for agencies and cities. Brad Thomas, President of First Transit, elaborates on the expertise and knowledge private contractors can bring to the table. Also, find out the different waves of innovations for the American transit market and more on this episode of Transit

en

30:12

Clément Michel – Keolis NA

Transit Unplugged ·

2017/11/30

“We want to make a change in the communities we serve.”One of the coolest guys in transit, Clément Michel, discusses how, before becoming President & CEO of Keolis NA, he knew he wanted to make a difference in the community. Whether it is social responsibility or prioritizing safety, the focus is on serving riders. In this episode, Clément talks about Keolis’ work with MBTA, running the first open road circulation of autonomous shuttles in Las Vegas, and the priorities for transit agencies in

en

27:15

Andy Byford – Toronto Transit Commission

Transit Unplugged ·

2017/11/22

“We’re dealing with a triple whammy…aging infrastructure, ever greater customer numbers on a finite budget.”Andy Byford, CEO of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), has had quite the transit journey – having held transit jobs in London, Sydney, and now Toronto. In this episode, he discusses the different governance style of the TTC and how a top-to-bottom modernization and a five-year plan led to TTC winning APTA’s Transit System of the Year award.If you want to know more about TTC you can check

en

26:30

J. Roger Morton – Oahu Transit Services, Inc.

Transit Unplugged ·

2017/11/04

“We’re developing the nation’s first driverless automated transit system.”In this episode, Paul Comfort travels to the wonderful islands of Hawaii to talk to J. Roger Morton, President and General Manager of Oahu Transit Services, Inc. Roger explains the importance of public transit to the people of Hawaii and some of the unique challenges that are specific to planning transit on an island. Additionally, he elaborates on plans for their new elevated rail system and other innovations and trends (new

en

18:42

Bill Carpenter – Rochester-Genesee Regional...

Transit Unplugged ·

2017/11/02

“We have more revenue coming in from our business partnerships than from our dollar fare.”Bill Carpenter, CEO of Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RTS), sits down with Paul Comfort to talk about the journey to his current position. Bill started in the private sector and transitioned into the public sector before finally ending up in public transit. Having been in the position for six years, Bill talks about what it means to be a good CEO and leader, RTS’s amazing 35% cost recovery

en

398 results

Similar Podcasts

TaxTalent.com The Golden Rule Podcast

Adam Golden

TaxTalent.com Podcast

Tony Santiago

Handelsblatt Crime - spannende Streitfälle der deutschen Wirtschaft

Ina Karabasz, Solveig Gode, Sönke Iwersen

Deffner und Zschäpitz – Der Wirtschafts-Talk von WELT

WELT

Black Box - La scatola nera della finanza

Guido Brera e Gian Luca Comandini -...