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Transit Unplugged

Paul Comfort, SVP Modaxo
Public Transportation
Public Transit
Paratransit
Bus Rapid Transit
Sustainability
Public Transport
Electric Buses
Amtrak
Ridership
Community Engagement
Federal Transit Administration
Chicago Transit Authority
Community Development
Accessibility
Transit Industry
Workforce Shortages
High-Speed Rail
Covid-19 Impact
Chicago
Leadership

We share the stories, challenges, and successes of the top transit professionals from around the world. Learn how top transit leaders got to where they are with stories and insights from their careers. Get the inside story about public transit and transit trends from the people who run it. Transit Unplugged is hosted and produced by Paul Comfort and brought to you by Modaxo Learn more at t... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes301Founded9 years ago
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Artwork for Transit Unplugged

Latest Episodes

In this episode, Frank joins Paul Comfort to discuss what it's really like to move from leading bus operations at one of the world's largest transit agencies to running an entire organization. He shares how Capital District Transportation Authority (... more

youtu.be/M1PeM6D1ciw

The future of passenger rail is being built right now—and Transit Unplugged takes you inside one of the industry's biggest events to see it firsthand.

Recorded on location at the American Public Transportation Associati... more

youtu.be/ZDsPkG_ruQc

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) General Manager Scott Sauer joins Paul Comfort to discuss leading one of North America's most complex transit agencies through a period of transformation. After ... more

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dv39AxBZFMY

Leadership transitions are inevitable, but successful ones are far from guaranteed. In this special on-location episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort visits Delaware Transit Corporation (DART First St... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Frank Annicaro
CEO of Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA)
Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA)
Episode: What Changes When You Become the CEO? Lessons from CDTA’s Frank Annicaro
Josh Wolf
Head of MARC Train, commuter rail service in Maryland
Maryland Transit Administration (MTA)
Episode: Rail Renaissance: The Projects Transforming Public Transportation
Ray Biggs
Project director for Maryland Purple Line
Maryland Transit Administration
Episode: Rail Renaissance: The Projects Transforming Public Transportation
Mike Pal
Rail operations lead at Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority
NFTA
Episode: Rail Renaissance: The Projects Transforming Public Transportation
Roger Morton
Former Transit executive involved with Honolulu driverless metro program
Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART)
Episode: Rail Renaissance: The Projects Transforming Public Transportation
Lori Kahakina
Leader of the Honolulu project team
Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART)
Episode: Rail Renaissance: The Projects Transforming Public Transportation
Paul Skoutelas
CEO of APTA
APTA
Episode: Rail Renaissance: The Projects Transforming Public Transportation
Neil Shah
Executive vice president at Keolis
Keolis
Episode: Rail Renaissance: The Projects Transforming Public Transportation
Scott Sauer
General Manager of SEPTA
SEPTA
Episode: How Do You Reinvent a Transit Agency? Inside SEPTA’s New Playbook

Host

Paul Comfort
Host and producer focused on transit leadership stories and industry perspectives.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 70 ratings
  • Interesting subject, poor host.

    This podcast covers interesting topics, however it is a shame the host is so poor. Talking too fast, talking over the guests, constant interjecting. Calm it down, let the experts talk, allow your audience time to listen and absorb.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    MagneVortex
    Australia7 years ago
  • Informative and interesting!

    Great Interviews and filling a void in podcasts. Thank you Paul Comfort!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Transit Mom
    United States8 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Audience appreciates the depth of industry insight and practical leadership lessons.
Content is informative and fills a void in transit-focused podcasting, with strong guest lineups and relevant topics.
Some listeners wish the host would let guests breathe and speak more without interruptions.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Rail Renaissance: The Projects Transforming Public Transportation
Q: What does the co-development model mean for California High-Speed Rail and its funding approach?
The co-development model pairs public rail goals with private sector capabilities to accelerate launch, optimize asset use, and create new revenue streams, while leveraging expert operating know-how to enhance project viability.
How Do You Reinvent a Transit Agency? Inside SEPTA’s New Playbook
Q: Can you talk to us some about how SEPTA is integrating AI into your operations?
SEPTA is taking a careful approach, using AI to inform maintenance on the bus fleet and to guide predictive maintenance on rail once fleets are upgraded; current AI efforts are focused on newer equipment and future rail car procurements, with back-office upgrades planned to enable broader AI usage.
Former FTA Chief Marc Molinaro on the Future of Federal Transit Funding
Q: What separates transit agencies that get funding traction from those that don't?
Tell a compelling, local story with tangible outcomes—show how investment will create jobs, housing, private investment, and community growth—and customize communications for lawmakers rather than sending generic forms or letters.
Former FTA Chief Marc Molinaro on the Future of Federal Transit Funding
Q: What does the FTA administrator actually do day to day, and what surprised you most about the job?
The role combines advocacy, funding oversight, and close coordination with federal and regional partners to ensure dollars are delivered for safe, efficient transit; the surprising part is the sheer amount of daily interaction and briefing across agencies and elected officials.
Reliability over Ridership: Stop Measuring Your System Against 2019
Q: Do you all have like an association of those 27 transit agencies where you all meet together and talk about that kind of stuff?
There are regular GM-level meetings and ad-hoc communications; the coordination happens more through structured groups and direct lines to BART staff rather than a single umbrella association, which reflects the Bay Area's fragmented governance.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Transit Unplugged

What is Transit Unplugged about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program centers on senior transit leaders and practitioners, exploring leadership journeys, operations, and strategic transformations across global public transportation systems. Episodes frequently cover topics like safety, ridership growth, technology adoption, funding, governance, and workforce development, often with hands-on takeaways for agencies pursuing modernization, regional integration, or service expansion. A notable angle is the mix of public and private sector perspectives, with guests ranging from agency CEOs to security officials and industry researchers. The show tends to spotlight real-world challenges, collaborative problem-solving, and the human stories behind large-scale transit improvements, making it valuable for... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Transit Unplugged?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Transit Unplugged:

1. The Transit Authority
2. The War on Cars
3. Freakonomics Radio
4. Planet Money
5. This American Life

How many episodes of Transit Unplugged are there?

Transit Unplugged launched 9 years ago and published 301 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Transit Unplugged?

Recent guests on Transit Unplugged include:

1. Frank Annicaro
2. Josh Wolf
3. Ray Biggs
4. Mike Pal
5. Roger Morton
6. Lori Kahakina
7. Paul Skoutelas
8. Neil Shah

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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