Transit Unplugged

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 Transportation Authority (NFTA) in Buffalo, has lived that journey firsthand.Pal began his career behind the wheel as a bus operator for New York City Transit, eventually rising through the ranks of the MTA, serving in senior leadership roles across multiple agencies, and later helping lead operations at Valley Metro in Phoenix before returning to New York to oversee transit in the Buffalo–Niagara region.In this conversation, Pal reflects on how starting on the front lines shaped his leadership philosophy—and why understanding the daily realities of operators can make a real difference when managing a complex transit system.Today, Pal leads the NFTA Metro system, which provides bus, light rail, and paratransit service to the Buffalo–Niagara region—supporting more than a million residents and carrying roughly 50,000–60,000 riders on a typical weekday. Paul and Michael discuss:How Pal’s career started as a bus operator in Brooklyn What transit leaders can learn from working on the front lines The transition from Phoenix’s desert system to Buffalo’s winter operations Major projects underway in Buffalo, including the DL&W Station redevelopment Plans for the Amherst rail extension The upcoming Bailey Bus Rapid Transit corridor Fleet modernization, electric buses, and future propulsion strategies Pal also shares how Buffalo is experiencing a new wave of investment and growth, and how transit is playing a key role in connecting people to jobs, education, and opportunity across Western New York.For Pal, the lesson is simple: the best transit leaders never forget what it’s like to serve riders and support operators every day.Host: 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.

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 President of Public Affairs and Security at Bi-State Development / St. Louis Metro Transit, to discuss a bold initiative that is reshaping safety across the region’s light rail network.Scott explains how St. Louis developed its Secure Platform Plan, a comprehensive strategy that combines infrastructure upgrades, technology, and partnerships with law enforcement to strengthen security on the MetroLink light rail system.The results are already striking: stations where the program has been implemented have seen a 50% reduction in criminal incidents and a significant increase in ridership.During the conversation, Scott walks through how the plan evolved from a detailed security assessment that produced 99 recommendations, and how those insights helped guide long-term improvements across the system.The episode also explores the powerful connection between actual safety improvements and the perception of safety — and why both are critical to attracting riders back to transit.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why St. Louis shifted from an open platform light rail system to secured stations How gating, fencing, and expanded CCTV coverage are changing security operations The role of security partnerships with local law enforcement and contracted security teams Why perception of safety matters just as much as actual incident reduction How safer stations are helping drive ridership growth across the system Scott also shares how the agency is upgrading fare collection systems alongside the security infrastructure, creating a modernized transit experience for riders while strengthening enforcement against fare evasion.As transit agencies nationwide prioritize safety and security, the St. Louis experience offers valuable lessons for systems considering similar investments.LinksLearn more about the Secure Platform Plan:https://www.metrostlouis.orgCreditsHost and Producer: Paul ComfortExecutive Producer: Julie GatesProducer: Chris O’KeeffeAssociate Producer: Cyndi RaskinEditor: Patrick EmileTransit 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.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.

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.

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.

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.