Transit Unplugged Paul Comfort, SVP Modaxo

This week we’re staying in Phoenix and picking up where we left off last week. Paul talks with current Valley Metro (https://www.valleymetro.org/) CEO Jessica Mefford-Miller about the light rail expansion, but more than that, Jessica talks about how Valley Metro keeps its cool in the scorching summer heat.
You would not believe the amount of air conditioning needed for each light rail train. Small hint, it’s more than a house or two.
While riding the LRT and streetcars Paul and Jessica talk about how Valley Metro is helping businesses deal with construction and how Artsline brings art to the community while taking transit.
As a special feature, Paul talks with Ryan Johnson, CEO of Culdesac, about this car-free planned community outside of Tempe—with its own light rail stop!
Valley Metro and Phoenix will be the stars of the show on Transit Unplugged TV in January. Make sure you subscribe on YouTube you so don’t miss this smokin’ hot episode. https://www.youtube.com/@transitunplugged
Next week on the show we have Marco D’Angelo President and CEO of CUTA (Canadian Urban Transit Association) and regular contributor Mike Bismeyer with interviews recorded at the recent CUTA conference held in Edmonton, AB.
Question or comment? Email us at info@transitunplugged.com.
0:00 Beating the heat at Valley Metro
01:26 Introduction to Valley Metro Light Rail
02:01 Addressing Construction Impact on Local Businesses
03:00 Exploring the Valley Metro System and its Expansion
04:15 Adapting to Post-Pandemic Ridership Patterns and Heat Challenges
11:57 Exploring Culdesac: A Car-Free Neighborhood
18:03 New LRT trains at Valley Metro and the growth of LRT
18:51 Artsline: community art across Valley Metro stops and stations
20:29 The Future of Valley Metro and Transit in Phoenix
22:22 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

Who would think defeating a ballot measure meant strong support for transit. Former Valley Metro CEO Scot Smith talks about that ballot measure, his career, being Mayor of a large city, and the future of transit.

In this episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort interviews Adam Hill, Editor in Chief of ITS International Magazine. They discuss the challenges and prospects of high-speed rail in England and the US, including the various political and logistical issues. Adam explains London's new Ultra Low Emission Zone, designed to encourage public transit use and discusses the struggles with its introduction. They explore how public transit can be made popular, touching on how to capture public interest and cater to convenience for the users. Paul and Adam wrap up the episode discussing the impacts of congestion charging and low emissions zones in encouraging public transit use.
In Mike's Minute, Mike Bismeyer reports from the CUTA Meeting in Edmonton about the Youth Leadership Summit and his work mentoring future transit leaders.
Coming up next week we have Scott Smith, former CEO of Valley Metro reflecting on transit and leadership.
If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com
00:00 Introduction and Introducing Adam Hill
01:21 Adam Hill's Background and Role at ITS International Magazine
02:38 Challenges and Developments in High Speed Rail
17:03 Exploring the Impact of ULEZ in London
21:37 Political Implications of ULEZ and Public Transit
26:21 Mike's Minute with Mike Bismeyer
28:04 Coming up next week on the show

This week, we give you Part 2 of our special CEO roundtable recorded live at APTA TRANSform Conference and EXPO. The conversation picks up with host and producer Paul Comfort asking the panel what are the big projects they have going on. From Dave Dech's trash clearing to Coree Cuff Lonergan's just culture, each CEO highlights an essential aspect of public transit today.
The discussion continues with each CEO talking about the biggest trends facing the industry, including payments, apps, transit-oriented development, and providing a better experience for customers.
Make sure you listen to the whole episode with Dave Dech from TriRail, Coree Cuff Lonergan from Broward County Transit, Dottie Watkins from CapMetro in Austin, Tiffany Homler Hawkins from LYNX in Orlando, and Frank White from KCATA in Kansas City.
After the CEO Roundtable, Elea Carey has some concrete tips for connecting with employees to help towards what Coree would call a "just culture".
We're not done with Orlando yet! This week on Transit Unplugged TV we're featuring Orlando, LYNX, and Brightline Trains! Make sure you check us out on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@transitunplugged
Here is a direct link to the Orlando episode now out https://youtu.be/0E0rtccMjCw?si=wEN85Gn3L9g892Qw
Next week on the show we have Adam Hill, Editor-in-Chief of ITS International Magazine https://www.itsinternational.com/, talking with Paul about high speed rail and the complexities of lowering emissions from passenger vehicles.
If you have a question or comment email info@transitunplugged.com
Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo, Passionate About Moving the World's People.
00:00 Introduction and Transition to Projects
01:06 Dave's Project: Cleaning Up the Tracks
02:48 Dottie's Project: New Station Construction
06:24 Tiffany's Project: Contactless Fare Payment
08:50 Frank's Project: Transit-Oriented Developments
11:18 Coree's Project: Creating a Just Culture
14:15 Future Technology in Transit
22:27 Best Things Happening at Agencies
28:40 Marketing Minute with Elea Carey
28:40 What's coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

Welcome to our 6th anniversary and the start of season 7 of Transit Unplugged. Host Paul Comfort has a special opening reflecting on the past 270+ episodes so far and what lies ahead down the road. In our interview this week, we have Randy Clarke, GM and CEO of WMATA (Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority) https://www.wmata.com/, chatting with Paul from his new LEED Platinum office building.
In his first year as CEO, Randy has:
fixed safety issues with his trainsimproved frequencyincreased ridershipreduced fare evasionworked to reduce crime on the systemand begun an ambitious project to update the Metro bus routes
By any accounts, a successful first year on the job, but...
But WMATA faces a looming budget shortfall larger than many agencies' entire budget. Learn how he's approaching the crisis and what he's doing to protect service levels and his people.
After the interview, regular contributor Mike Bismeyer reflects on Randy's leadership and everything else he does across the transit industry.
Coming up next week we have part 2 of our special new CEO roundtable recorded live at APTA TRANSform Conference and EXPO. In part two you'll hear about the projects they have on the go, what new technologies they have their eyes on, and what they want to celebrate at their agency.
If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com.
Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo, Passionate About Moving the World's People.
Randy Clarke Has Boosted WMATA, But a Budget Crisis Looms
00:00 Introduction and Reflection on the Sixth Anniversary of the Transit Unplugged Podcast
01:09 Interview with Randy Clarke, GM of WMATA: Leading a Major Transit Agency and Facing Looming Challenges
02:07 Randy Clarke's Journey as CEO of WMATA
03:04 Challenges and Achievements at WMATA
05:58 Addressing the Fiscal Crisis in WMATA
10:09 Dealing with the Fiscal Cliff, Funding, and Budgets
17:09 Fighting Fare Evasion and Supporting Low Income Riders
19:21 Delivering a Bus Route Optimization Project in Only a Year
21:35 Efforts to Curb Crime in the Transit System
25:48 What Randy Enjoys Most About His Job
30:16 Mike's Minute with Mike Bismeyer: Reflection on Leadership and Mentorship
32:12 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

What's it like being the CEO of a transit agency? Paul Comfort asked a panel of five CEOs who've been on the job for about a year what it's been like, what's surprised them the most, and why they love working in transit.

Listen to this lively and engaging panel featuring Coree Cuff Lonergan, GM of Broward County Transit, Dave Dech, Executive Dir of Tri-Rail, Dottie Watkins, CEO of CapMetro, Frank White III, CEO of KCATA, and Tiffany Homler Hawkins, CEO of LYNX where they candidly share their experiences, surprises, and insights about leading a transit agency.

They discuss how their work impacts the lives of their customers and what it means to them personally. They touch on all the things CEOs have to think about, plus some things you might not have thought about. It's a fascinating roundtable that showcases the passion and dedication of these transit leaders.

Also on the show in Elea Carey's Marketing Minute, Elea gives you practical tips for improving internal communications at your agency.

Next week is our sixth anniversary and the start of season seven! We kick off season 7 episode 1 (and our 278th episode) with Randy Clarke, CEO of WMATA. Randy talks about his first year on the job, what's gone well, what hasn't, and what a looming fiscal cliff means for his agency, his people, and riders.

If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com.

00:00 APTA CEO Roundtable Stories from New CEOs

00:00 Making an impact on people's lives

00:45 About this episode from your host Paul Comfort

01:33 Discussion with five new Transit CEOs recorded live at APTA TRANSform Conference and EXPO

32:41 Marketing Minute with Elea Carey

35:05 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

--

Season 6 : Episode 52

Links for this show:

American Public Transportation AssociationTri Rail | South Florida Regional Transportation AuthorityLYNX Public Transportation in Orange, Seminole & OsceolaCapMetro – Austin Public TransitBroward County TransitKansas City Regional Transit RideKC


Copyright: Modaxo 2023