Transit Unplugged

Episode 400: Mark Miller on the Origins of Transit Unplugged — Plus a 10-Year Look Back

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 Miller, President of Constellation Software and Executive Chairman of the Volaris Group. Mark reflects on the early days of the podcast, the thinking behind creating a platform for industry dialogue, and why connecting transit leaders across agencies and continents continues to matter.The episode also features a 10-year retrospective on the growth of Transit Unplugged, including a behind-the-scenes conversation with producer Chris O’Keeffe about the evolution of podcasting, the expansion into on-location recordings and video, and what it takes to reach the rare milestone of 400 episodes.Later in the episode, Executive Producer Julie Gates joins Paul for a listener mailbag segment, answering audience questions about favorite episodes, memorable travel moments, and transit systems that continue to inspire innovation.Over the past decade, Transit Unplugged has featured CEOs, agency leaders, policymakers, and innovators from across the globe—sharing ideas and best practices that help move the industry forward.As Paul reminds listeners in this episode, public transportation is about far more than vehicles and infrastructure. At its core, transit is about serving people and connecting communities.CreditsHost and Producer: Paul ComfortExecutive Producer: Julie GatesProducer: Chris O’KeeffeAssociate Producer: Cyndi RaskinTransit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo — passionate about moving the world’s people.Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this presentation, from any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken in response to it.

"Our Greatest Asset Is Our Employees”: Geisha Ester on Why Workforce Is the Future of Transit

Transit’s future is all about people.In this episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort talks with Geisha Ester, Executive Director of the National Transit Institute (NTI) at Rutgers University, about why workforce development has become the industry’s most important investment — and how agencies and professionals can take advantage of it right now.NTI, funded by the Federal Transit Administration, delivers no-cost training for transit professionals across the United States, helping agencies upskill their teams, strengthen succession planning, and prepare for a rapidly changing mobility landscape.Geisha shares:How you and your staff can access free, high-impact NTI coursesThe most in-demand training areas, including procurement, service planning, safety, and leadershipHow agencies are using NTI as a real succession-planning toolThree ways to partner with NTI — as a participant, host agency, or instructorWhy workforce development is central to the industry’s futureShe also tells her remarkable second-generation transit story, from high-school intern and rail conductor at Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) to Vice President of Training and Workforce Development — and now national leadership at NTI — and offers practical advice for emerging professionals and women pursuing leadership roles in transit.🎓 Explore courses and get connected: NTIonline.comThis episode closes out our “Fantastic February” series highlighting the people and ideas moving public transportation forward.CreditsHost and Producer: Paul ComfortExecutive Producer: Julie GatesProducer: Chris O’KeeffeEditor: Patrick EmileAssociate Producer: Cyndi RaskinTransit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo — passionate about moving the world’s people.Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this presentation, from any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken in response to it.

The Real Impact of Transit Research — and How to Use It for Your System

Recorded live at the Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, this special episode of Transit Unplugged tackles a big question: Does research actually improve public transportation?Host Paul Comfort is joined by three leaders who are turning studies into real-world results:Art Guzzetti, Vice President, Policy, American Public Transportation Association (APTA)Kate Ko, PhD, Vice President, WSPMichael Walk, Research Scientist, Texas A&M Transportation InstituteTogether they break down how the Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) moves ideas from problem statements to implementation — and why agencies that use research make faster, smarter, and more rider-focused decisions.You’ll hear:The Baltimore bus network redesign that started with a research projectHow automation will reshape — not eliminate — the transit workforceNew funding tools like value capture and congestion pricingThe link between operator culture, health, and retentionWhy accessibility, safety, and customer experience are driving the next wave of studiesThis is a behind-the-scenes look at the evidence, data, and collaboration that quietly power better transit for millions of riders.If you work in transit and aren’t using this research — you’re leaving solutions on the table.CreditsHost and Producer: Paul ComfortExecutive Producer: Julie GatesProducer: Chris O’KeeffeEditor: Patrick EmileAssociate Producer: Cyndi RaskinTransit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo — passionate about moving the world’s people.Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this presentation, from any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken in response to it.

“Raise Your Hand.” Bridgette Beato on Power, Mentorship, and Building Careers That Last

As Transit Unplugged kicks off 2026, host Paul Comfort sits down with Bennett Resnik, Senior Vice President in the Critical Infrastructure Group at Venn Strategies, for a wide-ranging conversation on the federal forces shaping public transportation in the year ahead.This episode marks the first installment in a multi-part State of Transit series, offering listeners a clear, insider perspective from Washington, DC. Bennett brings deep experience from Capitol Hill to break down what transit leaders should be paying attention to right now — and what’s coming next.In this episode, we explore:The upcoming Surface Transportation Reauthorization — what it is, why it matters, and realistic timelines for passage How the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) changed transit funding — and why the next bill will likely look very different The evolving federal stance on zero-emission buses, including battery electric, hydrogen, CNG, and hybrid fleets How shifting policy priorities are influencing manufacturers, procurement decisions, and fleet strategies The current and future impact of Buy America requirements, including costs, compliance, and domestic manufacturing What ongoing federal budget negotiations and continuing resolutions mean for transit agencies in 2026 Why global events like the Olympics and FIFA World Cup are increasingly shaping federal transportation planning Throughout the conversation, Paul and Bennett connect federal policy decisions to on-the-ground realities for transit agencies — from capital planning and vehicle procurement to safety, reliability, and long-term investment.🏛️ ThinkTransit Executive SummitTransit executives interested in diving deeper into these topics are invited to attend the ThinkTransit Executive Summit, taking place this March in Boston as part of the ThinkTransit Conference.The Executive Summit brings together senior transit leaders for a candid, in-person, Chatham House Rules discussion on:Safety, security, and fare evasion Cybersecurity and AI in transit operations Federal policy, funding, and the future of mobility 👉 Learn more and register here:https://trapezegroup.com/thinktransit/executive-summit/Host + Producer: Paul ComfortExecutive Producer: Julie GatesProducer: Chris O'KeeffeEditor: Patrick EmileAssociate Producer: Cyndi RaskinBrand Design: Tina OlagundoyeSocial Media: Tatyana MechkarovaIf you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com📩 Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter:https://transitunplugged.com/subscribDisclaimer:The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo, its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent. This production belongs to Modaxo and may contain information subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights. This content is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Modaxo disclaims all warranties and liability arising from the use of this material.

"We’re Really Hitting Our Stride.” Roger Harris, President of Amtrak ​

On this episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort is joined by Roger Harris, President of Amtrak, for an in-depth look at what’s driving momentum at America’s national railroad. Roger breaks down a remarkable 2025 for Amtrak—highlighting record ridership, revenue growth, and historic capital investment—and shares what’s ahead in 2026 as the organization stays focused on one core priority: running a great railroad.Paul and Roger explore how Amtrak operates as both a passenger rail provider and a critical infrastructure partner—especially in the complex Northeast Corridor ecosystem where commuter agencies and intercity rail depend on shared networks, tunnels, and bridges. Roger also digs into how smarter scheduling, strong demand, and modernized service planning are fueling growth—while new investment helps deliver more consistent reliability and a stronger customer experience.They also preview what’s coming next, including the NextGen Acela rollout, the future of Airo fleet modernization, and new service momentum like the Amtrak Mardi Gras route. Plus, Roger shares how Amtrak is preparing to support major national moments ahead—including World Cup travel and America 250.In this episode, you’ll hear:What drove Amtrak’s record performance in 2025 Why “running a great railroad” means consistency, tools, and reliability How Amtrak supports commuter partners as an infrastructure provider What’s next for NextGen Acela and Airo fleet modernization How Amtrak is preparing for World Cup crowds and America 250Host + Producer: Paul ComfortExecutive Producer: Julie GatesProducer: Chris O'KeeffeEditor: Patrick EmileAssociate Producer: Cyndi RaskinBrand Design: Tina OlagundoyeSocial Media: Tatyana MechkarovaIf you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.comDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo, its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent. This production belongs to Modaxo and may contain information subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights. This content is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Modaxo disclaims all warranties and liability arising from the use of this material.