METROspectives

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Brought to you by METRO Magazine, METROspectives discusses all the latest topics impacting mobility, public transportation, the private motorcoach industry and more.

  1. 4D AGO

    Establishing Standards & Codes in Canada, with CSA’s Ana-Maria Tomlinson

    In this episode of METROspectives, METRO’s Executive EditorAlex Roman sits down with Ana-Maria Tomlinson, Director of Strategic & Cross-Sector Programs at the Canadian Standards Association (CSA Group). With deep expertise in standards development and cross-sector policy alignment,Tomlinson shares how CSA is helping shape the future of safety, accessibility, and resilience across North America's transportation systems. We explore the evolving role of transit standards, includinghow they're responding to emerging technologies, climate change, and the growing need for equity and sustainability. Tomlinson also highlights the importance of cross-sector collaboration, the value of stakeholder engagement,and how CSA ensures its standards reflect the real-world needs of both operators and riders. Topics include: ·     Why standards and codes are crucial as Canadiantransit continues to grow. ·     Bringing together stakeholders to shape thefuture. ·      Shaping the program around existing standardsand codes worldwide. ·      Setting an aggressive timetable for a four-partprocess. Make sure you're signed up for the METRO Express newsletter,so you don't miss another METROspectives.   Sign up for the METROExpress newsletter.   Follow and connect with METRO Magazine on social media! Connect with METRO on LinkedIn. Like METRO on Facebook. Follow METRO on Twitter.

    27 min

  2. 12/04/2025

    Colin Parent on ‘The Powerless Brokers’ and the Politics of Transit Change

    In this episode of METROspectives, METRO’s Executive EditorAlex Roman sits down with Colin Parent, Executive Director and General Counsel at Circulate San Diego, to discuss his recent report, “The Powerless Brokers,” and what it reveals about how decisions get made — and too often stalled — in public transit in California, as well as the rest of the US. With a background spanning law, public policy, and advocacy,Parent brings a nuanced perspective on what it takes to make transit projects happen — and why accountability, mentorship, and leadership development are essential to the future of urban mobility. Topics include: ·    The genesis of ‘The Powerless Brokers’ and howhis report came about. ·    Systemic issues with permitting despite votersupport for public transit. ·    Possible changes that could help speed theprocess and eliminate current issues. ·    How these issues apply to other regions, as wellas Federal funding. Make sure you're signed up for the METRO Express newsletter, so you don't miss another METROspectives.

    26 min

  3. 11/20/2025

    Taking Forest River to the Next Level and More with Doug Wright

    When Doug Wright stepped in as President of Forest River Bus & Van in March 2025, his goal was clear — take a strong company and make it even stronger. In this conversation, METRO Executive Editor Alex Roman talks with Wright about Forest River’s journey so far, what’s driving its successtoday, and his vision for the future. Topics include: ·        COVID’s Impact on the company and industry. ·        Transporting the most vulnerable members ofsociety. ·        Controlling customer service. ·        Issues facing bus manufacturing now. Make sure you're signed up for theMETRO Express newsletter, so you don't miss another METROspectives.   Sign up for the METROExpress newsletter.   Follow and connect with METRO Magazine on social media! Connect with METRO on LinkedIn. Like METRO on Facebook. Follow METRO on Twitter.   Prefer to listen? Check out the METROspectives podcast! Subscribe or Follow METROspectives on: ApplePodcasts Spotify  AmazonMusic  Audible iHeartRadio

    30 min

  4. 10/29/2025

    Being a Woman in Transportation, Mentorship, and More with Hotard's Julie Chalmers

    Julie Chalmers was recently named one of METRO’s 2025 Women in Transportation. Recently, Executive Editor Alex Roman had a chance to talk to Chalmers, GM at Hotard Coaches Inc. in New Orleans, about being a leader in a historically male-dominated industry, providing mentorship to other women, career milestones, and much more.   Topics include: Getting her start in the motorcoach industry. Hurdles faced as a woman in transportation.How Hotard has evolved over the years.Attracting women into the motorcoach industry.

    21 min

  5. 10/22/2025

    Attracting New Operators to the Industry and More with the UMA’s Scott Michael

    With COVID splitting the number of motorcoach operatorsessentially in half, the United Motorcoach Association (UMA) is working on ways to boost new entrants. Scott Michael, President and CEO of the UMA, joins METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman to discuss what the association is doing toincrease the number of operators, the state of the UMA in general, and much more. Topics include: ·        The impact of COVID on the motorcoach industry. ·        Creating relationships with state and federallegislators. ·        Evolving post-pandemic business models. ·        Who is currently entering the market? Make sure you're signed up for the METRO Express newsletter,so you don't miss another METROspectives.   Sign up for the METROExpress newsletter.   Follow and connect with METRO Magazine on social media! Connect with METRO on LinkedIn. Like METRO on Facebook. Follow METRO on Twitter.

    30 min

  6. 10/22/2025

    Bus Tech Talk: Josh Stoddard Talks Growth & Opportunity at Spokane Transit

    Josh Stoddard is the Director of Vehicle Maintenance at Spokane Transit Authority (STA), a role he has held sinceat least April 2025. In this capacity, he oversees the maintenance operations for STA's fleet, ensuring the reliability and safety of the vehicles that serve the Spokane community. ​Topics include: ·        Spokane Transit’s growing fleet and bus facilityneeds. ·        The opportunities for technicians to growthrough the use of technology. ·        Information sharing at the state and federallevel. ·        Choosing the right team to support youthroughout the entire process. Ensure you're signed up for the METRO Expressnewsletter, so you don't miss another METROspectives. Sign up for the METROExpress newsletter.   Follow and connect with METRO Magazine on social media! Connect with METRO on LinkedIn. Like METRO on Facebook. Follow METRO on Twitter.

    22 min

  7. 08/29/2025

    Motorcoach Sustainability, Special Events and More with Panorama’s Michelle Petelicki

    Recently, the American Bus Association (ABA) released its“Motorcoach 2025 Sustainability and Innovation Report,” affirming what industry leaders have long championed: “motorcoach travel is the most energy-efficient and environmentally responsible mode of passenger transportation in North America.” Michelle Petelicki, president of New Jersey’s Panorama Tours, joins METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman to discuss how the motorcoach industry is in fact sustainable, the impact of the ABA’s report, and much more. Topics include: ·        Why motorcoaches aren’t typically viewed as“green.” ·        How operators can capitalize on the report’sfindings. ·        Creating relationships state and federallegislators. ·        Motorcoach operators’ role in major specialevents, including 2026’s World Cup. Make sure you're signed up for the METRO Express newsletter,so you don't miss another METROspectives.   Sign up for the METROExpress newsletter.   Follow and connect with METRO Magazine on social media! Connect with METRO on LinkedIn. Like METRO on Facebook. Follow METRO on Twitter.   Prefer to listen? Check out the METROspectives podcast! Subscribe to METROspectives on ApplePodcasts. Follow METROspectives on Spotify. Subscribe to METROspectives on GooglePodcasts.

    22 min

  8. 08/01/2025

    Bus Tech Talk: Maintenance Insights from Connect Transit’s Charlie Busse

    Charlie Busse is Director of Maintenance at  @connecttransit  (Connect Transit), the public transportation provider for Bloomington-Normal, Ill. Charlie is the driving force behind Connect Transit’s fleet operations. He ensures that every bus on the road is safe, reliable, and running at peak performance. But, his role goes far beyond just keeping wheels turning — Charlie is a key player in the agency’s forward-thinking initiatives, including integrating electric buses and developing cutting-edge charging infrastructure. Through his leadership, Connect Transit is not only maintaining service standards but also paving the way toward a more sustainable and efficient future in public transportation. Find out more in this first edition of Bus Tech Talk.Topics include:• How Charlie got his start in the public transit industry.• The challenges of being part of a small agency from a maintenance perspective.• Recruiting, retaining, and training today’s technicians. • Embracing new tech in the shop.Make sure you're signed up for the METRO Express newsletter, so you don't miss another METROspectives.Sign up for the METRO newsletter: https://www.metro-magazine.com/newsletter-signup?utm_source=formcms&utm_medium=email_subscriptions_optins&utm_campaign=met_website_100#transit #transportation #leadership #publictransit 🚚 Visit Metro Magazine for all the latest transportation news and information ➡ https://www.metro-magazine.com/ 🤝 Follow and connect with Work Truck on social media! Metro on LinkedIn ➡https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/metromag/ Metro on Twitter ➡ https://twitter.com/METROmagTweet Metro on Facebook ➡ https://www.facebook.com/MetroMagTimestamps00:00 Intro01:30 How Charlie Started in Public Transit02:50 What Fueled His Growth?05:01 Shared Knowledge in the Transit Industry07:02 Challenges/Benefits of being at a Small Transit Agency10:42 Recruiting New Techs in Normal, Ill.15:05 Working to Create a Heavy-Duty Training Program16:32 Additional Training Opportunities20:45 Working with New Technologies in the Shop23:00 Embracing New Tech, including AI25:00 The Learning Curve when bringing in New Vehicles

    27 min
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About

Brought to you by METRO Magazine, METROspectives discusses all the latest topics impacting mobility, public transportation, the private motorcoach industry and more.

Information

  • Creator
    METRO Magazine
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    52
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © METRO Magazine
  • Show Website
    METROspectives