Transit Unplugged

Former Federal Transit Administration Administrator Marc Molinaro joins Paul Comfort for an in-depth conversation about federal transit policy, funding, and the future of public transportation.Drawing on his experience as both a member of Congress and the leader of the FTA, Molinaro offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the agency operates, what transit agencies should understand about federal grants, and why building consensus in Washington is often more complicated than it appears.The discussion explores the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee's recently approved surface transportation reauthorization proposal, evolving federal priorities around safety, security, accessibility, and project delivery, and the growing role of bus rapid transit in connecting urban, suburban, and rural communities.Whether you're a transit executive, policymaker, or industry observer, this episode provides valuable insight into how federal decisions shape local transit systems across North America.In This EpisodeWhat the FTA actually does day-to-day How federal transit grants are evaluated and managed Lessons learned from leading the FTA The future of surface transportation reauthorization Safety, security, and accessibility priorities Bus Rapid Transit vs. Light Rail investment trends Why transit legislation advances through "evolution, not revolution" What transit leaders often misunderstand about WashingtonCreditsHost and Producer: Paul Comfort Executive Producer: Julie Gates Producer: Chris O’Keeffe Editor: Patrick Emile Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin Brand Design: Tina Olagundoye Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo, passionate about moving the world’s people.For more information, visit: www.Transit Unplugged.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 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.

What does public transit look like when you're serving 20 counties across Central and East Texas?In this episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort continues his series featuring new transit CEOs with a conversation with Wendy Weedon, CEO of the Brazos Transit District. After spending 17 years with the organization, Wendy stepped into the top leadership role in September and now oversees one of Texas' most diverse transit systems.Wendy discusses the unique challenges of balancing urban, rural, paratransit, demand response, microtransit, and non-emergency medical transportation services across a vast service area. She explains why community transit is often more than transportation—it's a lifeline connecting people to healthcare, employment, education, and independence.The conversation also explores workforce challenges, the growing role of AI in transit operations, the realities of serving aging rural populations, and why transit professionals are driven by a deep commitment to public service.Plus, Wendy shares insights into her leadership philosophy, her first year as CEO, and a few personal stories—including the pets that keep life interesting at home.In This EpisodeWendy Weedon's journey from employee to CEO at Brazos Transit District Serving a 20-county region across urban and rural Texas Why community transit is often a lifeline, not just a transportation option Balancing accessibility, efficiency, and limited resources Workforce recruitment and retention challenges The growing role of AI in transit customer service Leadership lessons from a first-year CEO Why mobility remains essential for independence and quality of life CreditsHost and Producer: Paul Comfort Executive Producer: Julie Gates Producer: Chris O’Keeffe Editor: Patrick Emile Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin Brand Design: Tina Olagundoye Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo, passionate about moving the world’s people.For more information, visit: www.Transit Unplugged.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 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.

What does success look like for transit agencies in a post-pandemic world? According to Christie Wegener, it may be time to stop measuring against 2019 altogether.In this episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort speaks with Christie Wegener, Executive Director of the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA), about the changing realities of suburban transit, evolving commuter behavior, and why reliability may matter more than ridership.Christie explains how LAVTA serves as a critical feeder to BART while navigating the unique challenges of Bay Area travel patterns, remote work, and car-oriented suburban development. She also shares why she believes transit agencies need to rethink traditional KPIs like farebox recovery and pre-COVID ridership comparisons.The conversation also explores:Why transit agencies may need a new baseline for measuring success The operational challenges of coordinating with BART service How cloud-based transit signal priority could reduce travel times Lessons learned from LAVTA’s Uber/Lyft partnership and microtransit programs The realities of serving low-density suburban communities LAVTA’s new $64 million headquarters project Transit funding challenges facing the Bay Area Christie’s journey from social work and public policy into transit leadership CreditsHost and Producer: Paul Comfort Executive Producer: Julie Gates Producer: Chris O’Keeffe Editor: Patrick Emile Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin Brand Design: Tina Olagundoye Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo, passionate about moving the world’s people.For more information, visit: www.Transit Unplugged.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 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.

When Steve Fuentes arrived as the new President & CEO of Milwaukee County Transit System, he stepped directly into a perfect storm: major service cuts, labor tensions, budget deficits, and the looming transit fiscal cliff.In this episode of Transit Unplugged, Steve joins Paul Comfort to discuss how his 30-year journey at the Chicago Transit Authority — from part-time bus operator to senior leadership — prepared him for one of the toughest leadership transitions in public transportation today.Steve shares how Milwaukee is confronting post-pandemic ridership realities, redesigning service for modern travel patterns, and preparing for a full transit network redesign with Jarrett Walker & Associates. He also discusses labor negotiations, safety strategies, public safety officers, open-loop payments, and why transit leaders need to prepare now for the next generation of executive opportunities.Plus: Bears vs. Packers, leadership books, music tastes, and lessons learned from the jump to the CEO seat.00:00 Milwaukee Setup01:33 Meet Steve Fuentes01:38 Boston Summit Highlights01:52 Nora and Leadership Lesson03:09 CTA Career Journey04:36 Why Take the CEO Leap05:49 Chicago Sports Rivalry06:49 Starting at MCTS07:37 Walking Into Crisis09:00 Union Deal and Reset09:38 Budget Cliff and Cuts11:40 Network Redesign Plan17:35 Lightning Round Upgrades20:57 Personal Favorites and FarewellCreditsHost and Producer: Paul Comfort Executive Producer: Julie Gates Producer: Chris O’Keeffe Editor: Patrick Emile Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin Brand Design: Tina Olagundoye Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo, passionate about moving the world’s people.For more information, visit: www.Transit Unplugged.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 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 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming to North America—and for public transportation agencies across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the countdown is already underway.In this episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort speaks with transportation journalist Dan Zukowski of Smart Cities Dive about the enormous mobility challenge behind one of the world’s biggest sporting events. From Los Angeles and Boston to New York-New Jersey and Atlanta, transit agencies are preparing to move hundreds of thousands of visitors safely, efficiently, and seamlessly through their cities.Dan breaks down how agencies are expanding service, coordinating with law enforcement, improving customer wayfinding, and preparing for the unique pressures of international visitors arriving during weekday rush hours. The conversation also explores how the World Cup could become a defining moment for public transportation in America—and potentially leave behind lasting improvements for riders long after the final match.Paul and Dan discuss:How host cities are preparing transit systems for FIFA 2026 Why mobility is central to the success of mega-events LA Metro’s long-term “Twenty-Eight by 28” infrastructure strategy The role of transit ambassadors and multilingual wayfinding Crowd management, security, and game-day operations How agencies are coordinating buses, trains, bikes, scooters, Uber, and more The opportunity to win over new riders through positive transit experiences What cities could learn ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics If transit works well during the World Cup, it won’t just move fans—it could reshape how cities and residents think about public transportation for years to come.🎧 Also in this episode:Insights from Smart Cities Dive’s transportation coverage The future of multimodal mobility and regional coordination Why major sporting events are becoming transit proving grounds This episode offers a fascinating look at the planning, logistics, and strategy required to deliver mobility on a global stage.Host and Producer: Paul ComfortExecutive Producer: Julie GatesProducer: Chris O’KeeffeEditor: Patrick EmileAssociate Producer: Cyndi RaskinBrand Design: Tina OlagundoyeTransit 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.