PODCAST · business
Transit Unplugged
by 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 ModaxoLearn more at https://transitunplugged.com/
Episodes
-
The Technology That Will Define Mobility in 2027
What will define the next year of mobility—and which technologies are actually ready to move from hype to reality? In this episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort sits down with John Rossant, CEO of CoMotion, for a wide-ranging look at the technologies, policies, and partnerships shaping...
-
Nashville Is Growing Fast. Here’s How Its Transit System Is Keeping Up
Nashville asked for more public transportation. WeGo is delivering. In this episode, Paul Comfort talks with Andy Burke, Chief Operating Officer of WeGo Public Transit, about how Nashville is preparing for one of the largest transit expansions in the agency’s history. Following voter approval of...
-
The Leadership Lessons Behind Long Beach Transit’s Success
What does a great transit leader leave behind? For Ken McDonald, President and CEO of Long Beach Transit and the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) 2025 Outstanding Public Transportation CEO of the Year, leadership isn’t just about running a successful agency. It’s about making…
more -
Inside the Transformation of Chicago’s Transit Network
Does commuter rail still describe what the service is becoming in many cities? Across the industry, the traditional model of carrying workers downtown in the morning and home again in the evening is evolving. At Metra in Chicago, that change is showing up in a fascinating way: total ridership...
-
Your Transit Career Needs a Route Map, Too
What if the work you're meant to do isn't something you find—but something you build? In Part II of Transit Unplugged's special Find Your X Factor series, Paul Comfort talks with two transportation leaders whose very different careers reveal how our experiences, abilities, and passions can...
-
How Pace Is Reinventing Suburban Transit in Chicago
What happens when the bus can actually beat the car? In this episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort sits down with Melinda Metzger, Executive Director of Pace Suburban Bus, for a conversation recorded at Pace’s ADA headquarters in downtown Chicago. Melinda has spent 42 years at Pace…
more -
How Great Leaders Find Their X Factor with Noah Berger and Rod Jones
What happens when the things you’re naturally good at intersect with the things that give you energy? In this special episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort brings his new book, Find Your X Factor, to life through conversations with two leaders who found very different ways to turn their...
-
What Can St. Pete/Clearwater Teach Us About More Flexible, Connected Transit?
How can transit agencies give riders more options while still strengthening the core network? In this special episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort returns to St. Pete/Clearwater for extended conversations originally filmed for Transit Unplugged TV, exploring how transit leaders across...
-
How VIA Is Growing Ridership by Growing Service
San Antonio is growing fast—and VIA Metropolitan Transit is growing right along with it. For this special episode of Transit Unplugged, we’re going back to our Transit Unplugged TV visit to San Antonio and bringing you three extended, uncut conversations with the VIA leaders shaping the future of...
-
What Changes When You Become the CEO? Lessons from CDTA’s Frank Annicaro
In this episode, Frank joins Paul Comfort to discuss what it's really like to move from leading bus operations at one of the world's largest transit agencies to running an entire organization. He shares how Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) is building on a legacy of innovation…
more -
Rail Renaissance: The Projects Transforming Public Transportation
https://youtu.be/M1PeM6D1ciw The future of passenger rail is being built right now—and Transit Unplugged takes you inside one of the industry's biggest events to see it firsthand. Recorded on location at the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Rail Conference in Baltimore, this...
-
How Do You Reinvent a Transit Agency? Inside SEPTA’s New Playbook
https://youtu.be/ZDsPkG_ruQc Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) General Manager Scott Sauer joins Paul Comfort to discuss leading one of North America's most complex transit agencies through a period of transformation. After beginning his career as a trolley operator at…
more -
Lessons from an Intentional Transit CEO Succession
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dv39AxBZFMY Leadership transitions are inevitable, but successful ones are far from guaranteed. In this special on-location episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort visits Delaware Transit Corporation (DART First State) to explore a rare example of intentional...
-
Is Transportation Healthcare?
https://youtu.be/32WxfrlanJw Access to healthcare doesn't start at the doctor's office—it starts with transportation. In this episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort sits down with Steven Feist, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Coordinated Transportation Solutions (CTS), to…
more -
Former FTA Chief Marc Molinaro on the Future of Federal Transit Funding
https://youtu.be/4nmn0hLJHbQ Former Federal Transit Administration Administrator Marc Molinaro joins Paul Comfort for an in-depth conversation about federal transit policy, funding, and the future of public transportation. Drawing on his experience as both a member of Congress and the leader of…
more -
What People Get Wrong About Rural Transit
What does public transit look like when you're serving 20 counties across Central and East Texas? In this episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort continues his series featuring new transit CEOs with a conversation with Wendy Weedon, CEO of the Brazos Transit District. After spending 17 years...
-
Reliability over Ridership: Stop Measuring Your System Against 2019
What does success look like for transit agencies in a post-pandemic world? According to Christie Wegener, it may be time to stop measuring against 2019 altogether. In this episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort speaks with Christie Wegener, Executive Director of the Livermore Amador…
more -
What Happens When You Inherit a Transit Crisis?
When Steve Fuentes arrived as the new President & CEO of Milwaukee County Transit System, he stepped directly into a perfect storm: major service cuts, labor tensions, budget deficits, and the looming transit fiscal cliff. In this episode of Transit Unplugged, Steve joins Paul Comfort to discuss...
-
World Cup Transit: How Cities Are Preparing for 2026
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming to North America—and for public transportation agencies across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the countdown is already underway. In this episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort speaks with transportation journalist Dan Zukowski of Smart Cities Dive…
more -
Reinventing Commuter Rail for a Post-9-to-5 World
Commuter rail is being reinvented—and at Virginia Railway Express (VRE), that shift starts with one big idea: becoming a true regional rail system. Katie Choe, CEO of VRE, joins Paul Comfort to explain how the agency is moving beyond its traditional peak-hour, commuter-focused model toward a more...
-
Transit Unplugged Insider: FTA Shakeups, Funding Cuts & What’s Coming Next
In this quarterly Transit Unplugged Insider, Paul Comfort and Julie Gates break down the most important developments shaping public transportation right now—from Washington leadership changes to emerging mobility technology. They cover the five biggest stories transit leaders need to know,...
-
How Tiffany Gunter Drove a 40% Ridership Increase on SMART’s Busiest Routes
Tiffany Gunter, GM + CEO of Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation, joins Paul Comfort to explain how SMART saw a 40% ridership increase on key high-volume corridors including Gratiot and Woodward. She shares the operational changes behind the gains—from stronger on-time...
-
Safety, Strategy, and Career Paths — Transit Leaders Share It All Live from ThinkTransit
How Transit CEOs Are Tackling Safety, Growth, and Leadership — Live from ThinkTransit This week on Transit Unplugged, we take you live to Boston for a special CEO Roundtable recorded at the ThinkTransit Conference—featuring four of the most influential leaders in public transportation today. Host...
-
How to Run a $1.3B Transit System: Denver RTD’s COO Breaks It Down
Paul Comfort talks with Patrick Preusser, Chief Operating Officer of Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD), to unpack the reality of delivering transit service across one of the largest and most complex systems in the U.S. Serving over 3 million people across 2,000+ square miles, RTD...
-
How to Grow Transit Ridership Beyond Pre-Pandemic Levels with Shofi Ull Azum
This week on Transit Unplugged, we continue our “The Doers” series—highlighting the transit leaders who are not just setting strategy, but delivering results on the ground. Paul Comfort sits down with Shofi Ull Azum, Chief Planning and Development Officer at Cherriots in Salem, Oregon—a mid-size...
-
Translating Transit Funding Into Real Service with Amanda Vandegrift
In this episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort sits down with Amanda Vandegrift, Deputy CEO of Finance & Administration and Chief Financial Officer at WeGo Public Transit in Nashville. This conversation is part of our “The Doers” series—highlighting transit leaders who are not just…
more -
Do Operators Make the Best Transit Leaders? Lessons from Michael Dylan Pal
In this episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort explores a question many transit agencies are asking today: Do operators make the best transit leaders? Paul’s guest, Michael Dylan Pal, Director of Public Transit for the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) in Buffalo, has…
more -
Safer Stations, More Riders: How St. Louis Cut Transit Crime by 50%
Welcome to the first part of a series we're calling "The Doers"! Public safety is one of the most urgent issues facing transit systems today. In this episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort sits down with Kevin Scott, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Security at Bi-State...
-
Episode 400: Mark Miller on the Origins of Transit Unplugged — Plus a 10-Year Look Back
In this special milestone episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort celebrates Episode 400 and nearly a decade of conversations with the leaders shaping public transportation around the world. To kick off the episode, Paul sits down with Mark Miller, President of Constellation Software and...
-
"Our Greatest Asset Is Our Employees”: Geisha Ester on Why Workforce Is the Future of Transit
Transit’s future is all about people. In this episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort talks with Geisha Ester, Executive Director of the National Transit Institute (NTI) at Rutgers University, about why workforce development has become the industry’s most important investment — and how...
-
The Real Impact of Transit Research — and How to Use It for Your System
Recorded live at the Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, this special episode of Transit Unplugged tackles a big question: Does research actually improve public transportation? Host Paul Comfort is joined by three leaders who are turning studies into real-world results: Art Guzzetti…
more -
“Raise Your Hand.” Bridgette Beato on Power, Mentorship, and Building Careers That Last
Recorded live at the Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, this episode of Transit Unplugged features a wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation with Bridgette Beato, Chair of WTS (Women’s Transportation Seminar) and Founder and CEO of Lumenor Consulting Group....
-
"We’re Really Hitting Our Stride.” Roger Harris, President of Amtrak
On this episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort is joined by Roger Harris, President of Amtrak, for an in-depth look at what’s driving momentum at America’s national railroad. Roger breaks down a remarkable 2025 for Amtrak—highlighting record ridership, revenue growth, and historic capital...
-
The Transit Guy’s 2026 Outlook: Automation, AI, Night Trains and More
Transit Unplugged wraps a six-part “State of Transit” series to kick off 2026, Paul Comfort is joined by Hayden Clarkin — transportation engineer, mobility consultant, Mass Transit Magazine Top 40 Under 40 honoree, and one of the industry’s most-followed voices online, known as “The Transit Guy.”...
-
Halifax, Hydrogen, and the Future of Canadian Transit
What’s the state of transit in Canada right now—and what’s next? In this episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort sits down with Dave Reage, Chair of the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) and a longtime transit leader with deep experience in Halifax Transit. Dave shares a national view…
more -
Funding, Labor, and Survival: Julie Brown on Transit in 2026
What does 2026 look like for small urban and rural transit agencies across America—and what happens when costs rise faster than funding can keep up? In this episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort is joined by Julie Brown, General Manager of Rogue Valley Transportation District (RVTD) in...
-
Inside the Next Transit Reauthorization with Bennett Resnik
As Transit Unplugged kicks off 2026, host Paul Comfort sits down with Bennett Resnik, Senior Vice President in the Critical Infrastructure Group at Venn Strategies, for a wide-ranging conversation on the federal forces shaping public transportation in the year ahead. This episode marks the first...
-
Looking Ahead: David Zipper on the Forces Shaping Transit in 2026
As Transit Unplugged closes out 2025, host Paul Comfort sits down with David Zipper for a wide-ranging, end-of-year conversation on where public transportation has been — and where it’s headed next. A senior fellow at the MIT Mobility Initiative and one of the most influential transportation…
more -
Inside Transit Right Now: Funding, Safety, Mega Events, and What’s Coming Next
In this Transit Unplugged Insider episode, Paul Comfort sits down with Executive Producer Julie Gates for a wide-ranging, behind-the-scenes conversation on what transit leaders should be paying attention to right now — and what’s coming next. This quarterly Insider edition slows the pace and…
more -
"We’re looking at developing a national code for transit and passenger rail systems.”
Canada is investing hundreds of billions of dollars in new transit and passenger rail projects—but until now, there’s been no unified national standards framework to guide how those systems are designed and built. In this episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort sits down with Ana-Maria...
-
“We’re Ready Now.” – Jay Fox on the 2034 Olympics and Utah’s Big Transit Moment
In this week’s episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort sits down with Jay Fox, Executive Director of the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) — one of the fastest-growing, highest-performing transit agencies in the United States and APTA’s 2025 Transit System of the Year. Jay brings a remarkable...
-
Stadler U.S. CEO Martin Ritter on Hydrogen Trains, U.S. Manufacturing & the Future of Rail
This Week on Transit Unplugged Paul Comfort sits down with Martin Ritter, CEO of Stadler U.S., one of the most innovative and fastest-growing train manufacturers in North America. From a modest foothold in the early 2000s to a nearly 600,000 sq. ft. factory in Utah, Stadler is reshaping how…
more -
This 150-Year-Old “Railway” System Is Betting Big on Compressed Natural Gas
On this episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort sits down with Nancy Purser, Acting Director of the Hamilton Street Railway (HSR). After 15 years with the agency, Nancy now leads one of Ontario’s most historic and ambitious transit systems — one that’s preparing for transformative growth.…
more -
“More People on My Buses, More Space on the Road for You”
On this episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort sits down with Maureen Cosyn Heath, Director of Transit for the City of Mississauga and the leader of MiWay, the third-largest municipal transit agency in Ontario. Mississauga has grown rapidly to more than 775,000 residents, and MiWay is…
more -
“ Rural Public Transportation Really is a Lifeline.”
On this episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort sits down with Ginny Smith, Executive Director of the Cape Girardeau County Transit Authority. Ginny shares how rural transit systems provide essential access to jobs, healthcare, education, and independence for the people they serve. From…
more -
These Research Reports Could Change Transit Forever
In this special live episode of Transit Unplugged, recorded at TCRP Day in Washington, DC, Paul Comfort sits down with a powerhouse panel of transit leaders: Sarah Meyer — EVP, Chief Customer Officer at Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Jamaal Schoby — Senior Program Manager…
more -
Tracking KPI's in a Visualization Room
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...
-
"I Need Some Fatherly Advice." - A Transit Leadership Transition Story
Passing 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…
more -
Transit Unplugged Insider: Exclusive Intel on Shutdowns, Safety, and AI
In 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...
-
Driving the Future of Transit: CEO Roundtable from APTA TRANSform 2025
Recorded 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...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
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 ModaxoLearn more at https://transitunplugged.com/
HOSTED BY
Paul Comfort, SVP Modaxo
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Transit Unplugged have?
Transit Unplugged currently has 300 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Transit Unplugged about?
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...
How often does Transit Unplugged release new episodes?
Transit Unplugged publishes regularly with 300 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Transit Unplugged?
You can listen to Transit Unplugged on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Transit Unplugged?
Transit Unplugged is created and hosted by Paul Comfort, SVP Modaxo.
URL copied to clipboard!