Transit Unplugged

“You can start using information, using artificial intelligence, to start delivering better transportation to the masses.” John Sisson worked in facilities and performance management at Delaware Transit Corporation (DTC) before becoming their CEO. On this episode, Sisson shares DTC’s unique statewide-structure (for fixed route and paratransit), the importance of using data and technology to deliver a better customer experience, and the challenges of finding and retaining the transit workforce.

“Can you do [same-day paratransit service] in a cost-effective fashion?” Joining Transit Unplugged is Andre Colaiace, Executive Director at Access Services in Los Angeles, California, one of the few standalone ADA paratransit agencies in the United States. In this episode, Andre shares how to balance the needs of your customers against the needs of your contractors, a quick lesson on transit funding, and his thoughts on the future of paratransit in America.

“It’s important that we are connecting with the community constantly to share with them what we are up to and to figure out what it is they need from us.” Tina Quigley, GM of the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC), and MJ Maynard, Deputy GM of RTC, join Transit Unplugged to discuss ridership, farebox recovery, how 100% of RTC’s service is contracted out, and a ton of technology the transportation space should use to its advantage. As Tina says, “Technology is the new as

“We go into this together. We learn lessons together. And we apply the lessons for future opportunities together.” Tom Lambert, President and CEO of Houston METRO and APTA’s Outstanding Public Transportation Manager for 2018, shares how METRO’s redesigned bus network increased ridership. He also discusses his underlying principles for transit, METRO’s upcoming autonomous vehicle pilot, and a story of people working together during Hurricane Harvey and the impact it had on the community.

“Our culture at MV Transportation is: Do whatever it takes for the passenger.” Happy New Year! Transit Unplugged kicks off 2019 with the CEO of MV Transportation, Kevin Jones. Kevin Jones spent his first 30 in technology services (EDS, HP, and Dell) before arriving at MV. In this episode, Jones discusses the potential reasons a public transit agency would contract out their service, MV’s three areas of focus, and the future of MV and public transit.

“The mindset of the transit manager really has to balance the past with the present, with one eye looking toward the future.” Gary Rosenfeld, CEO at MATA, joins Transit Unplugged to elaborate on aligning MATA’s transit vision plan with the city’s new land-use area plan and why ‘a good transit authority must embrace mobility as its key goal and address the mobility needs, incorporating the first-, last-mile issues, and the other new technologies that are making themselves available.’

“You’re caught between trying to do things for the public good…but you’re also trying to be a private business.” A structural engineer by trade, Jeff Knueppel worked his way through SEPTA’s ranks before landing the top spot as General Manager. Knueppel discusses the complexity of the Northeast Corridor, SEPTA’s five areas of focus (Customer Experience, Employee Development, Reliability/Rebuilding the System, SEPTA as a Business, and Safety and Security), positive train control, and the future

“We see the future in transportation systems like this.” We take a break from our regular program to talk to a few people about a topic that has the industry buzzing with anticipation - Autonomous Vehicles (AV). The discussion dives into the challenge of licensing an AV so it can run on the road, how AVs project to be the solution to first- and last-mile challenges, and how technology providers, transit operators, and local authorities need to work together to make AVs successful.

“At the end of the day, public transportation can still carry more people from point A to point B, in the peak periods of travel, than any other option that is out there.” Dorval Carter started his career in the legal field with the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). He also worked for the FTA and the DTO before being asked by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, to come back to CTA as the President. In this episode, Carter discusses the red and purple modernization, working on a multimodal app, and alternative fuels.

“We run the service, but the community owns it.” Katharine Kelleman worked for four different transit agencies before becoming the CEO of the Port Authority of Allegheny County. On this episode, Kelleman talks about the unique properties of running a legacy system before elaborating on the Port Authority’s five-part tactical. Finally, Kelleman dives into their connected vehicle pilot program, and how they are working with local universities to use technology to make transit safer and use resources be

“This is that job where you can affect more people’s lives in a day than most people get to do in a lifetime.” - Robbie Makinen

“How do we make sure that public transportation connects people to opportunity and that that transportation connection is not a barrier, but an enabler?” King County Metro was named best large transit system in North America by APTA. And on this episode, their GM, Rob Gannon, notes that agencies need to present a legitimate set of services, continue to deliver high-capacity fixed route transit well, and build more capacity to bring more service to your customers. That, and more, on Transit Unplugged.

“We were very proud to be the first transit system in the U.S. to have a contract with Uber on a first-mile, last-mile program.” Genetically born into the transit industry (his words, not ours), Brad Miller has a long history within public transit. Starting at VRE, Miller also was part of PRTC, CATS, and DART (Des Moines). Now, CEO of PSTA, Miller elaborates on PSTA’s work with TNCs regarding first-mile/last-mile initiatives and using an FTA Sandbox Grant to integrate TNCs into their paratransit serv

“We’re on the cusp of a transportation transformation, and if we don’t lead it, we’re going to get left behind.” Dave Genova started in the oil and gas, and environmental industries before making it to public transit. Genova has spent his entire transit career with the Regional Transportation District (RTD). Now the General Manager and CEO of RTD, Genova joins Transit Unplugged to discuss RTD’s FasTracks program, how they use drones for maintenance, and the importance of innovating for transi

“How do you utilize the collection of data to turn it into something positive?” RATP Dev was founded in Paris almost 120 years ago and now operates in 14 countries. Blaine Rigler, President of RATP Dev USA, joins us to share his thoughts about learning from other industries, the importance of data, and how increasing ridership is all about ease. He also discusses how transit agencies or providers need to think about the interoperability of the technologies they use in their operations.