Transit Unplugged

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.

Commuter rail is being reinvented—and at Virginia Railway Express (VRE), that shift starts with one big idea: becoming a true regional rail system.Katie Choe, CEO of VRE, joins Paul Comfort to explain how the agency is moving beyond its traditional peak-hour, commuter-focused model toward a more flexible, all-day, bi-directional network designed for today’s travel patterns. At the center of that transformation is VRE’s System Plan 2050, a roadmap to expand service, increase frequency, and serve a broader mix of riders—from daily commuters to evening, weekend, and recreational travelers. In this episode, Katie breaks down:What it really means to shift from commuter rail to regional rail How VRE plans to deliver a 60% increase in service by 2030 The challenge of operating on shared freight corridors—and how new capacity changes the game Why diversifying beyond federal commuters is critical to long-term growth How agencies can make incremental service improvements now, before major infrastructure is complete The conversation also highlights one of VRE’s biggest differentiators: customer experience. From meeting first-time riders at the station to achieving more than 60% participation in annual rider surveys, VRE has built a level of trust that directly informs how the system evolves. With a background spanning Massport, the City of Boston, and the MBTA, Katie brings a systems-level view to the role—balancing infrastructure, operations, and rider needs as VRE navigates this transition.What’s next?While major expansion is on the horizon, VRE isn’t waiting. The team is already exploring extended evening service, special event trains, and new ways to attract riders in the near term—all part of the shift toward a more dynamic, regional system.CreditsHost 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.

In this quarterly Transit Unplugged Insider, Paul Comfort and Julie Gates break down the most important developments shaping public transportation right now—from Washington leadership changes to emerging mobility technology.They cover the five biggest stories transit leaders need to know, including:FTA Leadership Shakeup – With no administrator or deputy currently in place, what does this leadership gap mean for the Federal Transit Administration and the industry at large? Federal Funding Uncertainty – Proposed budget changes with potential cuts exceeding 20% year-over-year . What’s at risk—and how is the industry responding? Reauthorization Outlook – Why the next major transportation bill may not pass this year, and what that delay could mean for agencies planning long-term investments . Innovation Acceleration – From autonomous vehicles to electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, new technologies are rapidly moving from pilot programs to real-world deployment . ThinkTransit Takeaways – Key insights from executive leaders across North America on cybersecurity, AI, safety, and operational strategy. You’ll also hear:Why rising fuel prices could drive increased transit ridership How agencies are preparing for funding and policy uncertainty What 500,000 weekly autonomous rides signal about the future of mobility Why having a cybersecurity response plan is now essential This episode is your insider briefing on the policies, people, and technologies shaping transit in 2026—with context you won’t hear anywhere else.00:00 Insider Episode Kickoff01:09 Big Changes at FTA01:32 Leadership Vacuum Explained02:22 Matt Webber Retires03:00 Jamie Fister Steps In03:30 Who Will Lead Next04:25 Transit Funding Shakeup05:01 Why the Budget Drops06:45 APTA Pushback Strategy07:26 Reauthorization Clock Ticking10:35 Gas Prices and Ridership12:18 EV Fees and Innovation Pivot12:50 VTOLs and Advanced Air Mobility17:12 Autonomous Vehicles Go MainstreamCreditsHost 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.

Tiffany Gunter, GM + CEO of Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation, joins Paul Comfort to explain how SMART saw a 40% ridership increase on key high-volume corridors including Gratiot and Woodward. She shares the operational changes behind the gains—from stronger on-time performance and improved frequencies to cleaner shelters, onboard Wi-Fi, and a renewed focus on customer experience.Tiffany also shares her journey from transportation planner to CEO, and why hands-on leadership matters—including 3:30 AM terminal visits, riding with frontline teams, and tackling operational issues firsthand. She explains how SMART improved on-time performance from 65% to 76% in just weeks by focusing the organization on clear goals, communication, and a little friendly competition.The conversation also explores Detroit’s resurgence, microtransit expansion, youth fare initiatives, and why telling a positive story about transit has never been more important.In This Episode:Tiffany’s career path from planner to CEOWhy “presence matters” in transit leadershipHow SMART rapidly improved on-time performanceGamifying performance with the “OTP Challenge”Growing ridership through better service and amenitiesDetroit’s comeback and transit’s role in regional growthFree rides for students and future workforce developmentWhy storytelling matters for public transportation today00:00 Meet Tiffany Gunter01:30 Think Transit Reunion03:00 Finding the X Factor03:42 Transit Career Origin05:37 Hands On Leadership10:14 Detroit Transit Landscape13:52 Culture of Care17:53 Down With OTP18:45 Daily Performance Huddles20:01 Leaderboards And Buy In21:51 Detroit Comeback Story25:07 Big Events Transit Surge25:55 Cutting the highlighted section below bc this has already happened27:30 Future Plans And Free Rides31:40 Leadership Lessons And Wrap32:29 Not sure if this should be includedCreditsHost 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.

How Transit CEOs Are Tackling Safety, Growth, and Leadership — Live from ThinkTransitThis week on Transit Unplugged, we take you live to Boston for a special CEO Roundtable recorded at the ThinkTransit Conference—featuring four of the most influential leaders in public transportation today.Host Paul Comfort sits down with:Jay Fox — Executive Director, Utah Transit Authority Nora Leerhsen — Acting President, Chicago Transit Authority Richard A. Davey — CEO, Massport (former MBTA & NYC Transit leader) Harry Wilson — Chair & CEO, MV Transportation Recorded in front of a live audience of transit professionals, this candid conversation explores what it really takes to lead large-scale transit systems in 2026.What You’ll LearnLeadership Paths to the TopFrom law and finance to teaching and federal service, each CEO shares the unconventional journey that led them to the top—and what they learned along the way.What CEOs Actually DoRunning a major transit system isn’t just operations—it’s politics, people, culture, and constant decision-making at scale.The Reality of Safety in TransitA powerful, nuanced discussion on safety—from frontline presence and policing to the deeper issues of mental health and homelessness shaping the conversation today.Culture, Teams, and PerformanceWhy high-performing teams—not individuals—drive results, and how agencies are building cultures of continuous improvement.Big Ideas in MotionAirport-to-terminal security via transit (Massport innovation) System-wide culture transformation and teamwork (MV Transportation) Continuous improvement at scale (UTA) Reframing public perception through storytelling and pride (CTA) Key TakeawaysTransit is more than transportation—it reflects society itself. Safety requires more than enforcement—it demands strategy, presence, and partnership. Great agencies are built on culture, not just operations. Leaders must balance vision with execution—every single day. This is a rare, unfiltered look inside the minds of transit CEOs—how they think, how they lead, and how they’re navigating one of the most complex and essential industries in the world.Whether you're an operator, policymaker, or future leader, this episode offers a masterclass in modern transit leadership.CreditsHost 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.