Transit Unplugged

For people to want to ride transit, they need to feel safe. And feeling safe is more than just physical safety, it's a perception. A perception based on cleanliness, vandalism, anti-social behaviors, loitering, open drug use, fare jumping; things that create a feeling of disorder on top of actual physical safety.

This was a huge problem in LA overall, so they decided to do something about it.

On this episode Paul talks with Stephen Tu, the Deputy Executive Officer for Station Experience at LA Metro on how they did it first at one station and are now expanding the changes system-wide. Some of the programs they talk about are:

Tap-to-exit program on fare gates

Open elevator doors

Smart restrooms,

Ambient noise in parking garages and classical music in stations

Stephen talks about the results and the tremendous difference these efforts have made. The pilot tests were so successful that Stephen is in the process of rolling these tactics across the entire LA Metro subway system. But these tactics are only one side of the issue, Stephen also talks about LA Metro is helping people with reduced fares, community support workers, and other tangible things to address the root causes of these anti-social behaviors.

All within the context of planning for the 2028 Olympic Games.

Coming up next week we have a special episode brought to by the South West Transit Association (SWTA). We'll bring you the recording from their post-election update and discussion with members broadcast and recorded on November 12.

00:00 Creating a better experience at LA Metro Stations

00:05 Introduction and background

01:59 Welcome Stephen Tu

02:33 Overview of the Station Experience Program

03:48 Addressing Societal Challenges and Safety

05:33 Success Stories and Program Expansion

06:35 Innovative Fare Collection: Tap to Exit

10:39 Open Elevator Doors Initiative

13:21 Smart Restrooms for Riders

17:05 Music and Ambient Noise for Better Experience

21:04 Conclusion and Future Outlook

23:05 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

Join Paul Comfort we kick off Season 8 of Transit Unplugged! This special episode features a live CEO roundtable from the APTA TRANSform and EXPO packed with five of transit's biggest leaders. The panel features:

• Andy Lord from Transport for London
• Dottie Watkins from CapMetro in Austin
• Dwight Ferrell from SMART in Detroit
• Shawn Donaghy from North County Transit District
• Adam Leishman CEO of Ascendal Group in Hong Kong

They discuss their unique transit projects, the impact of the pandemic, the future of AI in transportation, the importance of risk-taking, mentorship in leadership, and the role of transit in the economic development of cities worldwide. Don't miss this compelling--and passionate--discussion on the intersection of technology, society, and the future of public transportation.

Next week on the show we have Stephen Tu, Deputy Executive Officer of Station Experience at LA Metro, talking about improving the transit journey for everyone. Improving safety, cleanliness, the perception of safety, and discouraging inappropriate activities starting at a few stations and now expanding across the network.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Anniversary

08:43 Andy Lord on London's Transit System

12:41 Dottie Watkins on Austin's Transit Expansion

15:25 Dwight Ferrell on Detroit's SMARTer Mobility

18:01 Shawn Donaghy on Workforce Development in San Diego

20:36 Public Transport Success in Hong Kong

21:29 Rethinking Urban Planning

21:56 King's Cross Transformation

23:15 Economic Impact of Transport Infrastructure

25:32 Transition from Aviation to Public Transport

27:32 Leveraging AI and Technology in Public Transport

29:51 Leadership Lessons in Public Transport

34:45 Final Thoughts and Industry Appreciation

37:21 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

Accessibility is an essential and important topic in transit--and one that Transit Unplugged has deep connections to. From Paul's first job in transit to his work at WMATA and Baltimore MTA, he has championed ensuring transit connects everyone to all of life's opportunities. Tris' father was a pioneer in helping veterans in wheelchairs live independently on their own.

So when we say, we're committed to accessibility in all its forms--we mean it.

But when it comes to accessibility, sometimes people don't know where to start. And this is where our guests this week come in. Ron Brooks and Kristen Joyner talk with Paul about their new book, All Aboard: Conducting Accessible Community Involvement for Public Transit which gives real, practical strategies to improve accessibility in transit, at conferences, in meetings, and the wider world.

Ron and Kristen share how sometimes simple things make a tremendous difference in making something accessible, and often with spending little or no money. And how when as we make the world more accessible, we're making the world a better place for all of us.

Coming up next week we kick off Season 8 of Transit Unplugged with a special CEO Roundtable recorded live at APTA TRANSform. Make sure you don't miss this episode with guests:

• Andy Lord Commissioner of Transport for London
• Dottie Watkins CEO of CapMetro, Austin
• Dwight A. Ferrell CEO of Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation, Detroit
• Shawn M. Donaghy CEO North County Transit District, San Diego
• Adam Leishman CEO of Ascendal Group, Hong Kong

As they talk about the big plans in their systems and some truly inspiring visions of the future.

00:00 The Inspiring Journey of Ron Brooks

00:38 Introducing 'All Aboard': A Guide to Accessible Transit

02:08 The Motivation Behind the Book

04:44 Practical Guidance for Transit Agencies

06:39 Broadening the Audience for Accessibility

10:22 Subscribe to the newsletter

11:07 Community outreach

13:28 Making Meetings Inclusive for All

17:24 The Importance of Comprehensive Engagement

20:15 Contributors and Final Thoughts

23:20 Coming new week on Transit Unplugged

From an interview with Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works CEO Eulois Cleckley and Paul Comfort originally aired in February, 2023.

Eulois talks with Paul about his vision and approach to leadership with his REPPS model and how it's helped his team perform better and exceed what they thought they could accomplish.

Link to original interview: https://transitunplugged.com/transit-unplugged-podcast/stacey-matlen-and-eulois-cleckley/

One of his top executives, Schneider St. Preux, was recently on the podcast and cited Eulois' leadership as a critical factor in his career. Listen to that episode here: https://transitunplugged.com/transit-unplugged-podcast/schneider-st-preux/

00:00 Introduction to Transit Unplugged Deep Cuts

00:44 Meet Eulois Cleckley: Leadership Insights

01:02 The Importance of Strong Leadership

02:29 Principles of Effective Leadership: The REPPS Acronym

02:56 Focusing on Results

04:32 Setting High Expectations

05:39 Setting High Expectations for Success

06:33 Focusing on People: The Key to Leadership

08:02 Empowering Staff for Maximum Potential

08:46 The Importance of Data-Driven Decisions