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Artwork for Transit Unplugged

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
Transit Industry
Accessibility
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

What will define the next year of mobility—and which technologies are actually ready to move from hype to reality?

In this episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort sits down with John Rossant, CEO of CoMotion, for a wide-ranging look at the techno... more

Nashville asked for more public transportation. WeGo is delivering.

In this episode, Paul Comfort talks with Andy Burke, Chief Operating Officer of WeGo Public Transit, about how Nashville is preparing for one of the largest transit expansions in th... more

What does a great transit leader leave behind?

For Ken McDonald, President and CEO of Long Beach Transit and the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) 2025 Outstanding Public Transportation CEO of the Year, leadership isn’t just about ... more

Does commuter rail still describe what the service is becoming in many cities?

Across the industry, the traditional model of carrying workers downtown in the morning and home again in the evening is evolving. At Metra in Chicago, that change is show... more

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Recent Guests

Andy Burke
Chief Operating Officer, WeGo Public Transit (Nashville)
WeGo Public Transit
Episode: Nashville Is Growing Fast. Here’s How Its Transit System Is Keeping Up
Ken McDonald
CEO of Long Beach Transit
Long Beach Transit
Episode: The Leadership Lessons Behind Long Beach Transit’s Success
Jim Derwinski
CEO and Executive Director of Metra Commuter Rail
Metra
Episode: Inside the Transformation of Chicago’s Transit Network
Mike Heidkamp
Former Chief Transportation Officer at Pittsburgh Regional Transit
Pittsburgh Regional Transit
Episode: Your Transit Career Needs a Route Map, Too
Melinda Metzger
Executive Director of Pace Suburban Bus
Pace Suburban Bus
Episode: How Pace Is Reinventing Suburban Transit in Chicago
Noah Berger
CEO of Merrimack Valley Transportation Authority (MEVA)
MEVA (Merrimack Valley Transportation Authority)
Episode: How Great Leaders Find Their X Factor with Noah Berger and Rod Jones
Rod Jones
Head of Modaxo Americas and ANZ
Modaxo
Episode: How Great Leaders Find Their X Factor with Noah Berger and Rod Jones
Brad Miller
CEO of PSTA, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority
PSTA
Episode: What Can St. Pete/Clearwater Teach Us About More Flexible, Connected Transit?
Leon Smiley
Senior bus operator, longest-tenured driver at PSTA
PSTA
Episode: What Can St. Pete/Clearwater Teach Us About More Flexible, Connected Transit?

Host

Paul Comfort
Host of Transit Unplugged; long-time interviewer and industry commentator.

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 States9 years ago

Listeners Say

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

In-depth coverage of major projects and funding dynamics is highly valuable.
Thoughtful leadership insights for transit execs and policymakers.
Some listeners feel the host dominates conversation; guests deserve more room to speak.
Mix of sharp industry analysis with candid leadership stories.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Inside the Transformation of Chicago’s Transit Network
Q: How is the region approaching governance and funding changes to support a more integrated transit system?
The region is transitioning to the Northern Illinois Transit Authority, which aims to unify governance and implement universal fare products, fare capping, and coordinated scheduling. This shift requires substantial capital investment and regional tax coordination, with a multi-year horizon to align agencies, services, and infrastructure for a better passenger experience.
Inside the Transformation of Chicago’s Transit Network
Q: Tell us about Chicago as the crossroads of freight and passenger rail and how that shapes Metra's day-to-day operations.
Chicago sits at the center of a sprawling rail network, with multiple class I freight railroads and Amtrak intercity trains all converging. Metra must coordinate 700 revenue trains daily across 11 lines while sharing tracks with freight rail operations, which drives complex dispatching and strategic scheduling to keep both freight and passenger services running on time.
Your Transit Career Needs a Route Map, Too
Q: How did Rudy use creativity to reshape his legal career toward transportation?
Rudy describes recognizing that creativity was missing in his practice and then embracing improv, acting, writing, and podcasting to build a bridge into transit finance, ultimately expanding his opportunities beyond traditional legal work.
How Great Leaders Find Their X Factor with Noah Berger and Rod Jones
Q: How did you realize your X Factor in your career path?
Noah explains that his path showing the X Factor emerged when he combined leadership with his artistic inclinations and found opportunities to merge them at MEVA, turning frustrations into visible, community-centered improvements.
How Great Leaders Find Their X Factor with Noah Berger and Rod Jones
Q: What is your X Factor?
Noah Berger describes his X Factor as the intersection of his interests—public transit and the arts—and his abilities, which has driven him to integrate artistic expression with transit leadership, ultimately shaping how he leads MEVA.

Audience Metrics

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Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Transit Unplugged

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

Transit Unplugged features in-depth conversations with senior transit leaders, operators, policymakers, and industry experts from a global mix of public, private, and nonprofit organizations. Episodes commonly center on leadership transitions, system redesigns, major capital rail and bus projects, funding and policy dynamics, technology-enabled operations, and the evolving role of transit in urban and regional mobility. A standout angle is on-the-ground leadership experiences, operational realities, and practical strategies for improving safety, reliability, and rider experience across multi-modal networks. The format often blends candid interviews with tours, case studies, and strategic context, making it helpful for future guest prospects... more

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How many listeners does Transit Unplugged get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Transit Unplugged?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Transit Unplugged:

1. The Strong Towns Podcast
2. The Daily
3. The War on Cars
4. Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
5. The Journal.

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.

How do I contact Transit Unplugged?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Transit Unplugged?

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What guests have appeared on Transit Unplugged?

Recent guests on Transit Unplugged include:

1. Andy Burke
2. Ken McDonald
3. Jim Derwinski
4. Mike Heidkamp
5. Melinda Metzger
6. Noah Berger
7. Rod Jones
8. Brad Miller

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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