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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

31:30

What San Antonio Needs from Transit Right Now — with...

Transit Unplugged ·

2025/09/24

San 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 Gary brings a thoughtful and bold vision to VIA’s next chapter. He shares what he’s learned from nearly two decades in public service—including his time at

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31:38

LIVE EPISODE: "The ADA is the floor, not the...

Transit Unplugged ·

2025/09/16

LIVE from the American Public Transportation Association'sTRANSform 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 conversation features leaders from across the country who are redefining what’s possible when innovation meets accessibility.Guests:Mark Aesch, CEO, TransPro

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28:18

The Unmatched Power of Transit: A Conversation with...

Transit Unplugged ·

2025/09/10

In 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 the Windy City—and Nora is at the helm during a pivotal time. A lawyer and former educator who rose through the ranks from compliance officer to chief of

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29:42

Inside the MTA with Demetrius Crichlow: Leading the...

Transit Unplugged ·

2025/09/03

We’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 sugarcoat the challenges. He opens up about leading through a crisis of public trust, tackling rising crime, modernizing aging infrastructure, and navigating tough

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31:56

The Human Side of Transit: AI, Creativity, and...

Transit Unplugged ·

2025/08/27

We’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.Mike shares how kindness has become a key leadership trait, and how mentorship continues to change his career and others'. Elea gets into what works—and

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29:14

What Transit Leaders Need Now: Voices from the SWTA...

Transit Unplugged ·

2025/08/20

🎙️ This Week on Transit UnpluggedOn the Road in New Orleans: SWTA Summer Conference SpotlightIn 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 Southwest.🎧 Main Interview:Perri D’Armond – Director, Fort Bend Transit (Fort Bend County, TX)Perri shares how one of America’s fastest-growing and most

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22:39

98% On-Time & 50 Minutes Saved — Justin Vonashek on...

Transit Unplugged ·

2025/08/13

On 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, bigger capital program, and the three metrics he believes define rail’s future in North America: reliability, frequency, and trip time.In This EpisodeThe 98%

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25:32

50 Years of MV Transportation: Harry Wilson on...

Transit Unplugged ·

2025/08/05

MV 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 MV” Culture —Why Wilson and COO Kevin Klika rebuilt training from scratch (six‑week GM bootcamp), added performance incentives, and created hundreds of

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27:53

Beyond Ridership – Part 2: Innovation & Smart...

Transit Unplugged ·

2025/07/30

Last 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 data, and smarter procurement can turn that 84 % of “transit supporters” into satisfied users—and why leadership has to set the stage for risk‑taking and

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32:37

Are Transit KPI’s Broken? Value, AI, and Why We Need...

Transit Unplugged ·

2025/07/23

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 ConsultingWhy ridership is a misleading primary metric; shifting from volume to value; what

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22:23

Reclaiming Your Creativity Through Transit, Chatting...

Transit Unplugged ·

2025/07/16

In 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 innovation happening beyond the big-city systems.Featuring:Megan Perrero – Editor in Chief, Mass Transit MagazineOn shaping the next era of industry media,

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29:22

Transit Unplugged INSIDER: Paul Comfort Answers...

Transit Unplugged ·

2025/07/09

What’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.From what’s actually happening with FTA leadership to surprising details about the Trump administration’s transit funding priorities, Paul breaks down

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17:19

No Uber, No Lyft, No Taxis—So They Built Their Own...

Transit Unplugged ·

2025/07/02

How 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 San Diego, this conversation captures the energy and complexity behind Battle Creek’s transformation from a traditional city department to a newly

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34:08

Global Lessons, Local Gains: What Can Public US...

Transit Unplugged ·

2025/06/25

In 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 Tower Transit improve public transport service in the UK.They dive into:The nuances of operating in franchised models like in the UK's London and Jersey

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26:54

Green Hydrogen and CEO Hiring Secrets in America’s...

Transit Unplugged ·

2025/06/18

What 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. From launching a system-wide redesign to pioneering green hydrogen fuel, their work shows how public transit can be a catalyst for clean energy and

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24:22

Detroit Transit: Robert Cramer on the People Mover,...

Transit Unplugged ·

2025/06/11

When 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. In this episode, Paul Comfort joins Robert for a ride downtown and a deep dive into Detroit’s evolving mobility story.You'll hear how:The People Mover went

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21:37

From Amtrak to Annapolis: Markus Moore’s Lifetime...

Transit Unplugged ·

2025/06/04

Markus 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 local bus and on-demand service in Maryland’s historic capital city, Markus brings decades of cross-modal experience and leadership to the mic.This

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23:12

Ozzy Gibson’s Unconventional Road to Transit Leadership

Transit Unplugged ·

2025/05/28

How 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 what it takes to lead through uncertainty.Ozzy shares lessons from his time as a police officer, deputy mayor, and head of animal services—and how those

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20:03

On the Bus with Coree Cuff Lonergan: Building...

Transit Unplugged ·

2025/05/21

What 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, boots-on-the-ground transit planning, and why Broward’s “PREMO” program is setting a new standard for regional mobility. From LEED Gold-Certified transit

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27:20

Taking The RIDE: How Michele Stiehler is Elevating...

Transit Unplugged ·

2025/05/14

Michele 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 frontline experience (hint: everyone on her team is expected to ride The RIDE), and how MBTA is investing in staff and technology to build a smarter, more

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382 results

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