Episode 300!

Transit Unplugged

Welcome to episode 300 of Transit Unplugged! When Paul started the podcast in November 2017, I don't think anyone would have thought that seven seasons later we'd be at our 300th episode.

Paul started this podcast to shine a light on the impact of transit on society and give transit leaders a chance to talk about their agencies and their careers, unfiltered and unplugged. Throughout the pandemic Paul interviewed leaders about what it all meant to transit. How were agencies dealing with health restrictions. How agencies were keeping front line workers safe.

Since the pandemic, the issues have changed. Now it's getting enough drivers, changing ridership patterns, the bus manufacturing crisis, and the looming fiscal cliff.

Paul continues to meet these issues head on with frank discussion about how agencies are addressing the challenges and how it's shaping them as leaders.

We're celebrating this milestone with a CEO Roundtable with four leading transit CEOs talking about their agencies, what it's like to be a CEO, and the challenges they face today.

Recorded live on stage with Paul are:

• Frank White, III (Kansas City Area Transportation Authority)
• Tiffani Scott (Paratransit, Inc.)
• David Scorey (Keolis North America)
• Jameson Auten (Lane Transit District)

Next week on the show, we have the Chief Innovation Officer from SEPTA (South East Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) Emily Yates talking about not just the innovations she's leading, but the entire process of innovating in public transit overall.

0:00 Transit Unplugged Episode 300!

00:05 Introduction by host and producer, Paul Comfort

01:35 Welcome to Transit Unplugged Live: CEO Roundtable

02:04 The State of Public Transit: Challenges and Changes

03:42 Innovative Solutions in Transit: Sacramento's Story

06:19 Addressing Transit's Relevance and Financial Sustainability

06:45 Operational Efficiency and Service Adaptation in Boston

09:47 Redefining Transit's Role in the Community

13:52 The CEO Experience: Leading in Transit

23:39 Lightning Round: Future Directions and Innovations

29:14 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged