Rephonic
Artwork for Transit Unplugged

Transit Unplugged

Paul Comfort, SVP Modaxo
Public Transportation
Workforce Shortages
Kansas City Transit System
The New Future Of Public Transportation
Sustainability
KC Streetcar
Fiscal Cliff
Rider Experience
Covid-19 Impact
High-Speed Rail
Public Transit
Bus Rapid Transit
Public Transport
Economic Development
Expansion Of Transit
Covid-19
Community Mobility
Cybersecurity
Ridership
Driver Shortage

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes301Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BusinessGovernment

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Transit Unplugged

Latest Episodes

In this episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort sits down with Amanda Vandegrift, Deputy CEO of Finance & Administration and Chief Financial Officer at WeGo Public Transit in Nashville.

This conversation is part of our “The Doers” series—hig... more

In this episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort explores a question many transit agencies are asking today: Do operators make the best transit leaders?

Paul’s guest, Michael Dylan Pal, Director of Public Transit for the Niagara Frontier Tran... more

Welcome to the first part of a series we're calling "The Doers"!

Public safety is one of the most urgent issues facing transit systems today. In this episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort sits down with Kevin Scott, Executive Vice Presiden... more

In this special milestone episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort celebrates Episode 400 and nearly a decade of conversations with the leaders shaping public transportation around the world.

To kick off the episode, Paul sits down with Mark ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

The War on Cars
The War on CarsThe War on Cars, LLC
The Daily
The DailyThe New York Times

Recent Guests

Kevin Scott
Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Security, Bi-State Development Agency (St. Louis)
Bi-State Development Agency / St. Louis Metro Transit
Episode: Safer Stations, More Riders: How St. Louis Cut Transit Crime by 50%
Mark Miller
Founder of Trapeze; CEO of Constellation Software
Constellation Software / Modaxo (via Trapeze lineage)
Episode: Episode 400: Mark Miller on the Origins of Transit Unplugged — Plus a 10-Year Look Back
Geisha Ester
Executive Director of the National Transit Institute
National Transit Institute (Rutgers University)
Episode: "Our Greatest Asset Is Our Employees”: Geisha Ester on Why Workforce Is the Future of Transit
Bridgette Beato
Chair of WTS and founder of Lumenor Consulting Group
Women Transportation Seminar
Episode: “Raise Your Hand.” Bridgette Beato on Power, Mentorship, and Building Careers That Last
Roger Harris
President of Amtrak
Amtrak
Episode: "We’re Really Hitting Our Stride.” Roger Harris, President of Amtrak ​
Hayden Clarkin
Transportation engineer and mobility consultant
Episode: The Transit Guy’s 2026 Outlook: Automation, AI, Night Trains and More
Julie Brown
General Manager of Rogue Valley Transportation District and President of the Community Transportation Association of America
Rogue Valley Transportation District, Community Transportation Association of America
Episode: Funding, Labor, and Survival: Julie Brown on Transit in 2026
Bennett Resnik
Senior Vice President in the Critical Infrastructure Group at Venn Strategies. Advises on federal funding and tax strategies in transportation.
Venn Strategies
Episode: Inside the Next Transit Reauthorization with Bennett Resnik
David Zipper
Senior Fellow at the MIT Mobility Initiative
Episode: Looking Ahead: David Zipper on the Forces Shaping Transit in 2026

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 68 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.

One review notes pacing and interview style as an area for improvement.
Some feedback mentions occasional rapid delivery and the host interrupting guests.
Listeners appreciate the depth of conversations with industry leaders and practical takeaways.
The host is praised for informative interviews and filling a void in transit podcasting.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 400: Mark Miller on the Origins of Transit Unplugged — Plus a 10-Year Look Back
Q: What was your favorite meal while on the road?
Paella in Barcelona on the beach with the setting and flavors that made it a standout, followed by a Roman street-side carbonara; these meals highlighted memorable moments from the road.
"Our Greatest Asset Is Our Employees”: Geisha Ester on Why Workforce Is the Future of Transit
Q: What role does NTI see for women in transit?
NTI supports women in transit through leadership development programs and industry events, emphasizing mentorship and pathways into executive roles.
"Our Greatest Asset Is Our Employees”: Geisha Ester on Why Workforce Is the Future of Transit
Q: How can someone get involved with NTI as a learner or instructor?
Visit the NTI website to take a course, join the instructor pool if you have industry experience, or become a host agency to bring NTI courses to your location.
"Our Greatest Asset Is Our Employees”: Geisha Ester on Why Workforce Is the Future of Transit
Q: Why is NTI important to the transit industry?
NTI provides free, practical, and immediately usable training to transit employees nationwide, helping agencies upskill their workforce and align learning with industry trends.
"We’re Really Hitting Our Stride.” Roger Harris, President of Amtrak ​
Q: Are you on track to achieve train operational profitability by FY 28?
Yes, we are making strides to ensure train operations earn their keep, focusing on the balance between operating revenue and expenses.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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?

A globally focused transit leadership show that brings in senior executives, engineers, policymakers, and industry experts to discuss the big forces shaping public transportation. Episodes regularly explore funding, workforce development, safety, and technology trends—from AI and automation to electrification and hydrogen propulsion—along with strategic issues like mega-events, standards, and manufacturing. The conversations often feature practical takeaways for agencies, vendors, and operators, plus personal leadership stories that illuminate career paths in the transit world. A notable strength is the mix of high-profile agency leaders and niche experts, offering both big-picture context and hands-on insights for practitioners and sponsor... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Transit Unplugged?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Transit Unplugged. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Transit Unplugged and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Transit Unplugged get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Transit Unplugged, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Transit Unplugged?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Transit Unplugged, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Transit Unplugged have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Transit Unplugged has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Transit Unplugged?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Transit Unplugged:

1. The War on Cars
2. The Strong Towns Podcast
3. Today, Explained
4. The Daily
5. Fresh Air

How many episodes of Transit Unplugged are there?

Transit Unplugged launched 8 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?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Transit Unplugged from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Transit Unplugged?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Transit Unplugged. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Transit Unplugged?

Recent guests on Transit Unplugged include:

1. Kevin Scott
2. Mark Miller
3. Geisha Ester
4. Bridgette Beato
5. Roger Harris
6. Hayden Clarkin
7. Julie Brown
8. Bennett Resnik

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days