Shaping Accessible Transit Systems with ADA Leader David Rishel

Levi and Christian are joined by David Rishel, former Executive Director of Pennsylvania’s CATA and Principal of Delta Services Group, to unpack a career spent shaping accessible transit from the ground up. David recounts launching New Jersey Transit’s statewide ADA paratransit network in the early 1990s, what it took to forecast demand and build eligibility systems when the rules were brand new, and how those decisions still echo today. The conversation dives into the real-world complexity of paratransit operations, the promise and pitfalls of co-mingling microtransit with ADA service, and why fixed-route accessibility and rider education must lead the way. David closes with a grounded look at where ADA mobility is headed next, including on-demand services, evolving software expectations, and the long-term impact of emerging technology.