Wheel Talk: Navigating the Future of Bay Area Transit

San Mateo County Transit District
  • 5.0 (11)
  • GOVERNMENT

Join Dan Lieberman and Randol White as they explore how transit agencies are working to solve public transportation challenges, improve the rider experience, and build a more connected future.. Each Wheel Talk episode features insightful conversations about navigating travel  — whether on foot, by bicycle, SamTrans bus, Caltrain commuter rail, or car. Listen to in-depth interviews with transit experts, agency leaders, planners, and community advocates who share transparent insights into the challenges and opportunities shaping Bay Area mobility. Also, once a month, check out Hop Off Here — Wheel Talk’s special series on food, festivals, and fun. From taco trucks to music festivals, we’ll help you discover the flavors, celebrations, and hidden delights waiting just beyond your stop. Think of it as your rider’s guide to making the journey as enjoyable as the destination. Whether you’re a daily transit rider, transportation planner, or interested in sustainable, inclusive transportation solutions, Wheel Talk delivers strategic perspectives on the public transit systems that keep the Bay Area connected and moving forward. Subscribe to Wheel Talk to stay informed about the latest developments in Bay Area public transit and regional transportation planning. And don't forget to rate us on your favorite streaming device!

Episodes

  1. FEB 20

    Untangling the 101/92 interchange and what it means for the Peninsula

    Send a text Wheel Talk Podcast Guests (in order of appearance):   Jeneane Crawford, Caltrans Distric 4 PIO for San Mateo CountyUS 101 / SR 92 Interchange Short Term Area Improvements ProjectCaltrans QuickmapJessica Manzi, San Mateo County Transportation Authority (TA) Director of Project DeliveryUS 101 / SR 92 Interchange Direct Connector Project  Max Mautner, Car-free San Mateo resident19th Avenue and Fashion Island Boulevard Multimodal Improvements Project Episode overview The Highway 101 and 92 interchange is one of the busiest and most complex transportation hubs in the Bay Area — and it’s also the focus of several major projects that often get confused with one another. In this episode of Wheel Talk, we break down three distinct transportation efforts connected to the interchange and surrounding communities, each with its own purpose and timeline. First, we look at a safety and bottleneck improvement project already underway, designed to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow through known trouble spots. Caltrans Public Information Officer Jeneane Crawford explains what drivers can expect during construction and how success will be measured. Next, we examine a proposed direct connectors project that could link Highway 92 with the 101 express lanes. Still under review, this proposal has raised important community questions. San Mateo County Transportation Authority Director of Project Delivery Jess Manzi responds to public concerns and clarifies where the project stands today. Finally, we shift the focus from cars to people with a discussion of the Fashion Island Boulevard and 19th Avenue Multimodal Improvements Project. Car-free San Mateo Resident Max Mautner explores how rethinking this vehicle-focused corridor could improve safety and access for people walking, biking, rolling, and using transit. Three projects. Different goals. One very busy interchange — and a clearer picture of how mobility is evolving along the Peninsula.

    25 min

  2. 10/29/2025

    Hop Off Here: A Unique Coastal Park, Mexican Traditions, Veterans Day Parades, Holiday Shopping

    Send a text (904) 867-4466  Send us an email:  wheeltalk@samtrans.com  Hop Off Here: Your ticket to exploring the Bay Area. Our first stop is on the Coastside to explore Quarry Park in El Granada near Half Moon Bay. This San Mateo County Parks gem offers trails and coastal views. Best of all, SamTrans Ride Plus can take you there with free transfers from routes 117 and 294. Ranger Tommy Hart shares his insights for exploring this activity-packed destination. Sports & Concerts November is packed with games and concerts: Football: The 49ers vs. Rams and 49ers vs. Panthers matchups at Levi’s Stadium are easy to reach by Caltrain to Mountain View and a quick hop on VTA Light Rail.College Football: Take Caltrain or SamTrans to see the Stanford Cardinal at three home games in November, including the Big Game — Cal vs Stanford — on Saturday, Nov. 22.Soccer: The 2025 NWSL Championship comes to PayPal Park on Nov. 22, just a short walk from Santa Clara Station.Hockey & Hoops: The San Jose Sharks face off at SAP Center, and the Golden State Warriors light up Chase Center — both an easy Caltrain ride away.Music fans can look forward to a November with Shane Gillis and Billie Eilish at the Chase Center in SF, and Bryan Adams, Pat Benatar, Christian Nodal, Ramón Ayala, and Banda MS performing at SAP Center in San Jose. Food and Drink We roll into Redwood City to speak with Verónica Escámez, founder of Casa Círculo Cultural, about pan de muerto. Verónica's favorite bakeries (note — slightly different than spoken-word version): Panadería Michoacana #2 – 2940 Middlefield Rd.Chavez – 775 Arguello St.Mi Tienda – 812 Fifth Ave., North Fair OaksVisit Redwood City’s Día de Muertos Celebration, Sunday, Nov. 2. Other Events Daly City Veterans Day Celebration – Nov. 6, 11 a.m.–1 p.m., War Memorial Community Center (via SamTrans ECR)San Francisco Veterans Day Parade – Nov. 9, Fisherman’s Wharf (Caltrain + Muni 30-Stockton)San Jose Veterans Day Parade –  Nov. 11, San Jose (walkable from Diridon Station)

    26 min

  3. 08/29/2025

    Reimagining a Bay Area highway for the future

    Send a text Wheel Talk Podcast Guests (in order of appearance):   Cassie Halls, SamTrans Major Corridors Manager Patrick Gilster, San Mateo County Transportation Authority (TA) Director of Planning and Fund Management  Megan Wooley-Ousdahl, South San Francisco Deputy City Manager  Jacob (Jake) Buffenbarger, Caltrans System Planning Branch Chief: Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo Counties Mitch Postel, San Mateo County Historical Association President The Grand Boulevard Initiative: Turning El Camino Real into a street for everyone  This busy highway was once a trade route linking Ohlone villages in what we now call San Mateo County, in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area. When the Spanish arrived, it became known as El Camino Real — the King’s Highway — carrying travelers between California’s missions.  Centuries later, this corridor remains a backbone for commerce and travel. But today, it faces modern challenges: congestion, safety concerns, and the need to better serve all who rely on it.  The Grand Boulevard Initiative (GBI) aims to reimagine this historic roadway as a modern “complete street” designed for everyone—walkers, bikers, transit riders, drivers, and local businesses.  What Is the Grand Boulevard Initiative?  The Grand Boulevard Initiative is a collaboration led by SamTrans in partnership with Caltrans, the San Mateo County Transportation Authority (TA), and 15 cities along the Peninsula. The goal is to ensure that El Camino Real is a safe and vibrant street where people of all ages and abilities travel comfortably. Potential improvements include:  Wider sidewalks and safer pedestrian crossings Dedicated bus lanes and better transit efficiency through congested areas Bike-friendly design and protected lanes Street trees, landscaping, and placemaking enhancements Why El Camino Real Matters to San Mateo County  El Camino Real is more than just a highway — it connects residents to jobs, health care centers, schools, and civic spaces. In South San Francisco alone, the corridor links the new Library | Parks and Recreation Center (LPR), medical facilities, and BART. A revitalized El Camino Real would not only improve mobility and safety but could also boost economic vitality and quality of life along the Peninsula.  Learn More About the Grand Boulevard Initiative  The Grand Boulevard Initiative is a once-in-a-generation chance to transform San Mateo County’s most important streets. To stay updated on workshops, planning milestones, and opportunities to get involved, visit samtrans.com/GBI.  Contact us:  WheelTalk@SamTrans.com WheelTalk@SMCTA.com WheelTalk@Caltrain.com

    27 min

  4. 08/05/2025

    The Big Sync: Making Bay Area transit transfers seamless

    Send a text Wheel Talk Guests (in order of appearance):  Andy Metz, AC Transit Regional Plans Principal Planner Millie Tolleson, SamTrans Director of Planning Ted Burgwyn, Caltrain Director of Rail Network and Operations Planning Adina Levin, Seamless Bay Area Executive Director The Big Sync: How SamTrans Is Teaming Up to Improve Transit Transfers on the Peninsula  SamTrans is partnering with other Bay Area transit agencies to better align bus and rail schedules at major hubs along the Peninsula. The effort is part of a regional initiative known as the Big Sync.  One element of the Big Sync is the Bay Area TRANSFER Plan — short for Transit Reliability and Accessibility Network Scheduling Framework and Equitable Regional. The goal is to improve the rider experience by reducing transfer wait times and increasing reliability at key multimodal hubs.  By synchronizing arrivals and departures where services intersect, the plan aims to make transit more seamless, equitable and time-competitive — especially for riders who depend on multiple systems to complete a single trip.  This August, four major Bay Area transit hubs are seeing improved interagency coordination: Daly City BART and Palo Alto Caltrain — both served by SamTrans — along with Concord BART and Dublin/Pleasanton BART.  “It really is about how we knit the system together in a way that works for the rider,” said SamTrans Director of Planning Millie Tolleson. “And that’s across agencies.”  Read more about how this coordination is unfolding along the Peninsula.  Contact us:  WheelTalk@SamTrans.com WheelTalk@SMCTA.com WheelTalk@Caltrain.com

    22 min

  5. 02/18/2025

    Learn why hydrogen power is the next big tool for public transit

    Send a text The first hydrogen fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs) to serve public transit customers along the peninsula are now in service, with many more on the way in the weeks, months and years to come.  The San Mateo County Transit District, or SamTrans, recently placed an order for 108 additional hydrogen busses, marking the largest order of its kind in North America to date.  The move toward hydrogen at Sam trans is symbolic of a major shift in the public transportation industry. But why hydrogen? What makes this such an attractive carbon free choice for transit? Where does hydrogen fuel even come from? And is it truly green?  SamTrans Public Information Officer Randol White asks those questions and more to: SamTrans Director of Maintenance David harborDr. Lewis Fulton, the Director of the Energy Futures Program at the UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies and chair of the Transportation Working Group of the California Hydrogen Hub known as ARCHES.

    17 min

  6. 03/19/2020

    Episode 7: Transit-Oriented Development

    Send a text SamTrans' Director of Real Estate and Property Development, Brian Fitzpatrick, offers insight into the District's land use over the years along with Caltrain's new transit-oriented development policy (or as we loving call it, "Tod") and what it means for the agency's future.

    55 min

  7. 02/19/2020

    Episode 6: The Life Cycle of a SamTrans Bus

    Send a text SamTrans Director of Bus Maintenance Dave Harbour explains what it takes to be a SamTrans bus. We talk about buying new buses and retiring the old, Wi-Fi implementation, the future of SamTrans' electrified fleet and what it takes to keep over 300 buses in working order.

    58 min

  8. 01/15/2020

    Episode 5: Caltrain Maintenance 101 (Part 2)

    Send a text We continue our conversation about Caltrain's maintenance operations and future improvements coming with electrification from a high level perspective with Chief Operating Officer, Michelle Bouchard.

    1h 4m

  9. 12/18/2019

    Episode 4: Caltrain Maintenance 101 (Part 1)

    Send a text Get the scoop on Caltrain’s day-to-day maintenance operations. With electrified service on the horizon and the ever-present challenges of an aging fleet, this month's episode offers insight into the behind-the-scenes work that keeps our trains moving, the state of the railroad and the exciting future ahead with new electric trains.

    52 min

  10. 11/13/2019

    Episode 3: Route FCX and the Future of Express Bus

    Send a text SamTrans Director of Planning, Christy Wegener, talks about the agency's recently launched Express Bus Route FCX operating between Foster City and San Francisco. We dive into the US-101 Express Bus Feasibility Study, what we're learning about the new route and travel patterns, as well as the future of express bus service in San Mateo County.

    57 min

  11. 10/16/2019

    Episode 2: How Measure W Drives Better Transportation

    Send a text SamTrans Board Director Peter Ratto talks about the impact of Measure W, a voter-approved San Mateo County 1/2 cent transportation sales tax that passed in November, 2018 and went into effect July 1, 2019.

    33 min
  12. Episode 1: Improving Safety on Caltrain Tracks

    09/17/2019

    Episode 1: Improving Safety on Caltrain Tracks

    Send a text We kick off this series with a focus on rail safety and infrastructure. Rob Scarpino, Caltrain's Deputy Director of Rail Infrastructure, talks about the agency's efforts to improve its crossings to keep people safe. Nancy Sheehan of California's Operation Lifesaver closes the hour with a conversation around rail safety awareness. Join us for some Wheel Talk!

    57 min
  • 12 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Join Dan Lieberman and Randol White as they explore how transit agencies are working to solve public transportation challenges, improve the rider experience, and build a more connected future.. Each Wheel Talk episode features insightful conversations about navigating travel  — whether on foot, by bicycle, SamTrans bus, Caltrain commuter rail, or car. Listen to in-depth interviews with transit experts, agency leaders, planners, and community advocates who share transparent insights into the challenges and opportunities shaping Bay Area mobility. Also, once a month, check out Hop Off Here — Wheel Talk’s special series on food, festivals, and fun. From taco trucks to music festivals, we’ll help you discover the flavors, celebrations, and hidden delights waiting just beyond your stop. Think of it as your rider’s guide to making the journey as enjoyable as the destination. Whether you’re a daily transit rider, transportation planner, or interested in sustainable, inclusive transportation solutions, Wheel Talk delivers strategic perspectives on the public transit systems that keep the Bay Area connected and moving forward. Subscribe to Wheel Talk to stay informed about the latest developments in Bay Area public transit and regional transportation planning. And don't forget to rate us on your favorite streaming device!

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