Transition to Zero

Jared Schnader

Podcast focused on the Transition to Zero Emission in Transit

  1. Aug 18

    Transforming Transit Operations: Anthony DeKeyser with Sun Metro in El Paso, Texas

    Transforming Transit Operations: Anthony's Military Background, Fort Bliss Partnerships, and the Future of Clean Mobility Explore how Anthony's military background informs a disciplined, mission-driven approach to transit leadership, strategic planning, and workforce development. In this episode, we break down the synergies behind Sun Metro's operations, the Fort Bliss partnership, and the ongoing transition to CNG and battery electric buses. Episode Overview Anthony shares how lessons from military service translate into strong leadership in public transit, especially when it comes to coordination, execution, and long-range planning. The conversation highlights the importance of building operational synergies across departments, aligning capital planning with service needs, and making decisions that support both today's riders and tomorrow's growth.A major focus of the discussion is the work with Fort Bliss, where collaboration and community-centered mobility planning create a model for effective transit support. The episode also dives into the practical realities of deploying CNG buses and battery electric buses, including infrastructure, fleet modernization, and the strategic thinking required to scale clean transportation successfully. Key Topics Covered Anthony's military background and leadership mindset Building synergies across transit operations and stakeholder groups The Fort Bliss partnership and community mobility coordination CNG bus planning, deployment, and infrastructure considerations Battery electric bus discussions and the path to fleet electrification Workforce development, training, and team readiness Why strategic planning is essential for sustainable transit growth Aligning operations, capital investments, and long-term service goals Congressional and Public Sector Support Mentioned Congresswoman Veronica Escobar Senator Mary Kay [Blanco/placeholder mentioned in transcript] Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Mass Transit Board City of El Paso Sun Metro Organizations and Groups Discussed Fort Bliss Sun Metro CalSTART Texas Transit Association Bridge Fellowship Program MV Transportation Clean Technology Training Trust SEO Keywords Anthony military background, Fort Bliss transit, CNG buses, battery electric buses, workforce development, strategic planning, transit leadership, clean transportation, fleet modernization, public transit operations, Sun Metro, transit synergies, mobility planning, infrastructure planning, sustainable transit, FTA grants, transit workforce training, El Paso transit Hashtags #TransitLeadership #StrategicPlanning #WorkforceDevelopment #FortBliss #CNGBuses #ElectricBuses #BatteryElectricBuses #PublicTransit #CleanTransportation #FleetModernization #TransitOperations #MobilityPlanning #Leadership #TransportationPlanning #SustainableTransit #FTA #ElPaso #SunMetro #TexasTransit Why This Conversation Matters This episode stands out because it connects leadership experience with real-world transit execution. Anthony's military background, combined with a strategic approach to planning and workforce development, shows how strong systems thinking can drive meaningful progress in public transportation.

  2. Aug 4

    Cracking the Zero-Emission Fleet Life Cycle: Parts, Supply Chains, and Keeping Buses on the Road

    Episode Overview The procurement of a zero-emission bus (ZEB) is not the final destination—it is merely the starting line . As transit agencies across the country deploy advanced transit fleets, the ultimate metric of success shifts seamlessly from initial vehicle delivery to long-term lifecycle reliability . In this episode of Transition to Zero, host Jared Schnader, Executive Vice President at CALSTART, sits down with Allison Powers, Founder and CEO of Powers Parts, to dissect the critical shifting paradigms of zero-emission fleet maintenance, parts procurement, and data ecosystems . Historically, transit sector discussions have heavily centered around infrastructure deployments and scaling initial vehicle orders . However, today's operational reality demands a robust, integrated ecosystem capable of addressing acute vehicle-down situations—where a single obscure component or temporary software anomaly can idle a million-dollar asset . Powers shares her unique journey within the automotive and transit space, revealing how Powers Parts transformed from a dedicated hardware supplier into a comprehensive service ecosystem providing everything from diagnostic software to remanufactured heavy-duty components . The conversation delves deep into the strategic hurdles of modern supply chains, outlining the arduous master service agreement (MSA) processes required to secure OEM-level intellectual property with global manufacturers like Cummins, Danfoss, and John Deere . Listeners will also gain data-driven insights into the current state of Proterra fleets, where analytical outreach proves that a striking 70% of these legacy vehicles remain actively in service . Finally, Powers maps out the future of fleet logistics, looking ahead to the integration of predictive artificial intelligence (AI) to systematically prevent parts failures before they impact daily route ridership . ⚡ Key Soundbites & Quotes On the Fleet Life Cycle: "Procurement is just the beginning, honestly, of the life cycle... The transition doesn't end when it's delivered. Honestly, it's the beginning." On the Mission Behind the Assets: "To me, from a personal perspective, [the ecosystem] means getting somebody's grandmother on a bus and to their job... It is to make sure that the charger, the dispenser, the telematics on the bus is working. It's all of the things." On Preserving FTA Investments: "Instead of taking an entire million-dollar bus and putting it on the side because it needs one small part or software, which we have... we can help them get... back on the road." Advice for First-Time Fleet Adopters: "Start off with a small fleet. Get comfortable with the technology. Get some infrastructure. Train your technicians. Have them on site... because once you get comfortable, it's easy to add once you have some." 🔍 Relevant Links Guest Company Website: Powers Parts Official Site Connect with the Guest: Allison Powers on LinkedIn (Search: Alison Powers) Host Organization: CALSTART Clean Transportation Solutions Listen to More Episodes: Transition to Zero Podcast Hub 🏷️ Optimized Hashtags #ZeroEmissionBuses #CleanTransportation #TransitFleets #EVInfrastructure #SupplyChainLogistics #FleetMaintenance #CALSTART #PowersParts #SustainableTransit #WorkforceDevelopment #PredictiveMaintenance Show notes developed using Gemini and reviewed by Jared Schnader Editing and Production by Eroded Media

  3. Jul 7

    Olympics, Electrified Roads, and 80,000 people - UCLA's Road Ahead

    content  type Interview  primary  goal Educational  summary In this episode of Transition to Zero, Jared Schnader speaks with Clinton Bench, Director of Fleet and Transit at UCLA, about how the university is turning its campus into a real-world proving ground for transportation innovation. Clinton shares the scale and complexity of UCLA's fleet operations, which include more than a thousand vehicles serving everything from campus transit and passenger movement to specialized logistics like hazardous materials delivery, catering, and trash collection. He also explains how UCLA functions almost like a small city, with tens of thousands of people on campus each day and a transit system that has to serve students, employees, patients, and visitors across a dense, landlocked environment in West Los Angeles. A major theme of the conversation is UCLA's role as an "innovation laboratory" for electrification and new mobility technology. Clinton discusses how the university has been able to test battery-electric vehicles, share lessons with other universities and transit agencies, and support research partnerships across engineering, urban planning, and public policy. He also highlights progress in accessibility through a fully electrified demand-responsive paratransit system, which has dramatically expanded service for students with disabilities and helped make UCLA more accessible than it was just a few years ago. The discussion makes clear that innovation at UCLA is not just about technology for technology's sake—it's about improving service, inclusion, and operational efficiency at the same time. The conversation then turns to one of the episode's most exciting topics: UCLA's electrified road charging and mobility hub project, developed with CalStart and Electrion. Clinton explains how the project combines full transit bus electrification, a new mobility hub near the Westwood station, and wireless charging infrastructure that could reduce vehicle battery size, lower capital costs, and create new opportunities for shared charging revenue. He also walks through the practical side of implementation, including authentication, billing, and the use of fleet management systems to track usage and recover costs from internal and external users.  Finally, Clinton describes how the mobility hub will support major regional changes, including the opening of the D Line extension and UCLA's role as the Olympic Village for the 2028 Games, where mobility, shuttles, and access planning will all be critical. keywords UCLA, campus transportation, electric vehicles, inductive charging, mobility hub, transit innovation, sustainable transit, UCLA Olympics, regional transit, electric fleet  key  topics UCLA campus transportation fleet Electrification of transit vehicles Dynamic inductive charging technology Mobility hub development at UCLA Regional transit improvements and Olympics prep  guest  name Clinton Bench Titles UCLA's Electric Fleet and Mobility Innovations Transforming Campus Transit: UCLA's Sustainable Future  sound bites "Welcome to Transition to Zero, focusing on advanced transportation." "Wireless charging reduces battery size and costs." "Inductive charging can generate revenue and recoup costs." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to UCLA's Fleet Operations 02:27 UCLA's Role as a Living Laboratory for Innovation 05:08 Advancements in Paratransit Services 07:42 Exploring Electrified Roads and Dynamic Charging 10:30 The Mobility Hub and Its Impact on UCLA 12:47 Preparing for the 2028 Olympics at UCLA  resources Electrion - Dynamic Inductive Charging Technology - https://electrion.com UCLA Transportation Department - https://transportation.ucla.edu LA 2028 Olympics Official Site - https://la28.org  guest links LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/clintonbench Twitter - https://twitter.com/clintonbench

  4. Jun 16

    Electric and Fuel Cell Buses: Maintenance and Workforce Challenges from VVTA

    summary In this episode, Dustin Strandberg from Victor Valley Transit shares insights on transitioning to zero-emission transit vehicles, maintenance challenges, workforce development, and operational impacts of electric and fuel cell buses.  keywords Transit, Electric Buses, Fuel Cell, Maintenance, Workforce Development, Zero Emission Vehicles, CNG, Battery Electric, Hydrogen Fuel Cells, Transit Technology  key  topics Transition to zero-emission transit vehicles Maintenance challenges and solutions for electric and fuel cell buses Workforce training and development for new transit technologies  guest  name Dustin Strandberg sound bites "Range exceeded my expectations at first" "Battery uptime dropped to around 40%" "Cold weather causes a 40% range loss" Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Victor Valley Transit and Its Operations 02:48 Transitioning to Zero Emission Technologies 05:31 Challenges and Surprises in Battery Electric Bus Operations 08:05 Impact of Environmental Conditions on Bus Performance 10:41 Maintenance and Cost Analysis of Zero Emission Buses 13:30 Training and Workforce Development for New Technologies 16:01 The Future of Transit Careers and Community Involvement  resources Victor Valley Transit Authority (VVTA) - https://vvta.org/ New Flyer Electric Buses - https://www.newflyer.com/ Southern California Edison - Charge Ready Program - https://www.sce.com/ California Transit Training Center (CTTC) - https://www.cttc.com/  guest links LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustin-strandberg-123456789/

  5. Jun 2

    CUTRIC: Canada's ZEB Market

    In this episode, Jess Smith from CUTRIC shares insights on Canada's transition to zero-emission transit, including hydrogen projects, battery electric buses, funding strategies, and technological innovations shaping the future of sustainable transit.  keywords Zero Emission Transit, Hydrogen Fuel Cells, Battery Electric Buses, Transit Funding, Sustainable Transportation, Canada Transit Innovation  key  topics Hydrogen projects and their regional deployment in Canada Advancements in battery electric bus technology and range improvements Funding strategies and government support for zero emission transit The role of software, data analytics, and predictive tools in fleet management Challenges and opportunities in hydrogen fuel cell adoption  guest  name Jess Smith Titles Canada's Zero Emission Transit Revolution: Insights from CUTRIC Hydrogen and Battery Electric Buses: The Future of Canadian Transit  sound bites "No technology is a clear winner in decarbonizing fleets." "Plans must evolve with technological advancements." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to CUTRIC and Jess Smith's Role 00:49 CUTRIC's Mission and Canada's Zero Emission Goals 01:43 Current Developments in Canadian Transit Technologies 02:58 Hydrogen Projects and Regional Deployment in Canada 03:47 Cost of Hydrogen and Market Dynamics 04:37 Adoption Trends: Battery Electric vs Hydrogen Fuel Cells 05:30 Canadian Government Targets and Progress 06:42 Strategies for Charging Infrastructure and Standardization 07:22 Innovations in Data Analytics and Software Tools 08:18 Future Trends: Autonomous Shuttles and Smart Transit Systems 09:19 Funding Strategies and the Role of Federal and Provincial Support 10:05 Overcoming Planning Gaps and Utility Coordination 11:12 Lessons Learned and Best Practices for Transit Agencies 12:04 The Impact of Funding and Policy on Transition Speed 12:58 Collaborative Procurement and Supporting Smaller Agencies 13:57 Charging Infrastructure Challenges and Solutions 15:00 Hydrogen Production, Costs, and Market Outlook 15:36 Operational Challenges in Cold Weather Conditions 16:50 Planning for Future Technologies and Market Shifts 17:22 The Importance of Early Planning and Flexibility 18:43 Emerging Technologies: Inductive Charging and Autonomous Vehicles 19:15 The Role of Data and Software in Fleet Optimization 20:22 The Critical Role of Funding and Policy Support 21:21 Addressing Gaps in Utility Coordination and Infrastructure 22:05 Lessons from Canada for U.S. Transit Agencies 22:57 The Future of Zero Emission Transit: Trends and Predictions 23:46 Advice for Transit Leaders Considering Electrification 24:50 Innovations in Data Analytics and Smart Transit Systems 25:39 The Next Five Years: Technologies and Market Evolution 26:38 Final Message: Early Planning and Flexibility 27:40 Jess Smith's Key Message to Transit Agencies  resources CUTRIC Official Website - https://CUTRIC.ca/ Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology Overview - https://www.energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/hydrogen-fuel-cells Canadian Zero Emission Transit Funding Programs - https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/climate-change/zero-emission-transit.html  guest links LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-smith/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/jesssmith

  6. May 19

    Autel and Electrification of Transit

    Keywords EV charging, Autel Energy, market landscape, reliability, data management, regulatory compliance, government programs, communication, charging technology, industry maturity Summary In this episode of Transition to Zero, host Jerge Schneider speaks with Dario Pagani from Autel Energy about the evolving landscape of EV charging technology. They discuss the reliability of chargers, the importance of data management for fleet optimization, and the challenges posed by regulatory compliance. The conversation also highlights the role of government programs in infrastructure development and the need for improved communication and collaboration within the industry. Looking ahead, they explore the future of charging technology and the lessons learned from past experiences in the market. Takeaways The EV charging market is stabilizing after a period of intense competition. Reliability and diagnostics are crucial for long-term investment in charging infrastructure. Data management is essential for optimizing fleet operations and reducing costs. BABA compliance for chargers increases costs but ensures local manufacturing. Government programs can provide necessary support and structure for industry growth. Effective communication among stakeholders is vital for successful project execution. 2026 is anticipated to be a pivotal year for deploying existing charging technologies. The industry is maturing, with a focus on proven solutions rather than constant innovation. Lessons learned from past failures are shaping a more confident market. Investing in the EV industry is seen as a revolutionary opportunity.  sound bites "We're getting past the race to the bottom." "Reliability is key for long-term investment." "BABA compliance increases costs significantly." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Autel Energy and EV Charging 02:48 Market Landscape and Business Models 05:46 Ensuring Charger Reliability and Maintenance 08:12 Regulatory Compliance: Buy America and Its Implications 11:17 Government's Role in Industry Development 14:02 Infrastructure Challenges and Solutions 16:34 Communication and Collaboration in Electrification 19:35 Lessons Learned and Future Considerations 22:06 The Future of Charging Technology and Deployment

  7. Apr 28

    Zeroing in on ZEBs Report: 2026

    Summary This episode features insights from CalSTART experts on the latest trends in zero emission bus adoption across the US, highlighting growth, regional spread, and industry maturity.  keywords Zero Emission Buses, ZEBs, Transit Industry, Fleet Transition, Data Ecosystem, Technology Adoption, Workforce Development, Industry Trends  key  topics Growth in zero emission bus deployment despite industry challenges Nationwide adoption across 48 states, including smaller agencies Transition planning and technology maturity in transit fleets  guest  name Mike Hynes and Kaila Ketelsen Titles Zeroing in on ZEBs: 2023 Adoption Trends and Insights How US Transit Agencies Are Accelerating Zero Emission Bus Deployment  sound bites "48 out of 50 states now have deployments." "Fuel cell growth has increased from 45% to 55%." "Leaning on industry collaboration is key." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Zeroing in on ZEBs Report 00:48 What is the Zeroing in on ZEBs Report? 01:41 Key Findings from the 2023 Report 02:15 Regional and Nationwide Adoption Trends 03:48 Growth Despite Industry Headwinds 04:17 Distribution of Zero Emission Buses Across the US 05:43 Evolving Data Ecosystem at CalSTART 08:27 Challenges of Data Centralization and Validation 10:58 Battery Electric vs Hydrogen Fuel Cells 12:55 Trends in Fleet Transition Planning 15:34 Insights for Transit Agencies from Data Analysis 16:58 Workforce Development and Industry Models 18:45 Generation Zero Event and Peer Exchange 20:41 Surprising Trends in Adoption by Region 22:13 Lessons for Transit Agencies Moving Forward  resources CalSTART Zeroing in on ZEBs Report 2023 - https://calstart.org/reports/zeroing-in-on-zebs-2023 Generation Zero Event by CalSTART and CARB - https://calstart.org/events/generation-zero Neoride - Industry Collaboration Model - https://neoride.com/ California Air Resources Board (CARB) - https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/  guest links LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/mikehynes LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/kailaketelsen

  8. Apr 14

    Workforce Development in Transit: Clean Technology Training Trust

    Keywords Clean Technology, Workforce Development, Zero Emission, Apprenticeships, Training, Clean Transportation, Policy, Future Workforce, Technology Integration, Employee Retention Summary In this episode of Transition to Zero, host Jared Schnader speaks with Dr. Kimberly Moore, National Director of the Clean Technology Training Trust, about the critical role of workforce development in achieving zero-emission goals in transportation. They discuss the importance of aligning workforce training with technological advancements, the challenges faced in workforce readiness, and the need for policies that support sustained investment in training. Dr. Moore emphasizes the significance of apprenticeships and customized training solutions to prepare the next generation for emerging roles in clean technology. The conversation also touches on the integration of technology in training and the evolving expectations of the workforce. Takeaways The Clean Technology Training Trust addresses workforce gaps in clean transportation. Workforce readiness is essential for the successful deployment of zero-emission technologies. Organizations must plan for workforce development alongside technology investments. Safety and skills training are critical in the transition to new technologies. Apprenticeships provide a pathway to the middle class without student debt. Policies must support sustained workforce investment for long-term success. Customization in training programs is necessary to meet specific organizational needs. The future workforce will require hybrid roles that combine various skill sets. Retention of employees is linked to ongoing training and development opportunities. The next generation values purpose and career pathways over traditional college routes. Titles Bridging the Gap: Workforce Development in Clean Tech The Future of Clean Transportation: Workforce Readiness  sound bites "Workforce readiness is really core." "You have to build that workforce too." "You want to know that they see you." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Clean Technology Training Trust 02:43 The Importance of Workforce Development in Clean Transportation 05:34 Challenges in Workforce Readiness 08:44 The Role of Policy in Workforce Training 11:32 Apprenticeships and Long-Term Workforce Success 14:21 Creating Scalable Workforce Solutions 17:06 The Future of Workforce Training with Technology 19:48 Emerging Roles and Competencies for the Next Generation 22:52 Retention and Employee Fulfillment 25:52 The Pathways to Success for Future Generations

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About

Podcast focused on the Transition to Zero Emission in Transit

Information

  • Creator
    Jared Schnader
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    57
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023
  • Show Website
    Transition to Zero