Transit Unplugged

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) General Manager Scott Sauer joins Paul Comfort to discuss leading one of North America's most complex transit agencies through a period of transformation. After beginning his career as a trolley operator at just 19 years old, Sauer now oversees the nation's sixth-largest transit system as it modernizes aging infrastructure, grows ridership, prepares for major international events, and works toward becoming a best-in-class transit agency.In this episode, you'll learn:- How SEPTA is rebuilding ridership and customer confidence- Why "Back to Basics" has become the agency's guiding philosophy- The challenge of replacing 40- and 50-year-old rail vehicles- How AI is beginning to improve transit maintenance and operations- What it takes to move tens of thousands of fans during the FIFA World Cup and America's 250th anniversary celebrations- Why Scott believes employee-driven strategic planning creates stronger organizations- Lessons from nearly four decades of leadership inside SEPTAWhether you're a transit executive, public sector leader, or simply interested in how major transportation systems evolve, this conversation offers practical insights into leadership, modernization, and delivering better service every day.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.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.

Leadership transitions are inevitable, but successful ones are far from guaranteed. In this special on-location episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort visits Delaware Transit Corporation (DART First State) to explore a rare example of intentional succession in action.Outgoing CEO John Sisson reflects on a 32-year career and the legacy he leaves after more than a decade leading one of America's most unique statewide transit systems. Joining him is incoming CEO Lilia Montoya, who arrives from California for her first CEO role and benefits from something few leaders receive: a month of overlap with the person she's succeeding.Together, they discuss why succession planning matters, how organizations can preserve institutional knowledge while embracing fresh ideas, and why leadership isn't only about how you serve—it's also about how you leave.For outgoing leaders, this episode offers lessons in stewardship, trust, and preparing the next generation. For incoming leaders, it provides insight into building relationships, honoring a legacy, and establishing a vision for the future.Along the way, Paul explores Delaware's integrated statewide transit model, seasonal beach service, paratransit and microtransit innovations, and the close collaboration between DART First State and DelDOT that makes the agency one of the most distinctive in North America.In this episode:Why intentional succession is part of leadershipJohn Sisson's reflections on a 32-year transit careerLilia Montoya's journey to her first CEO roleThe value of leadership overlap and knowledge transferBalancing continuity with new ideasLessons for both incoming and outgoing executivesDelaware's statewide approach to transitBeach service, paratransit, and microtransit innovationsHow DelDOT and DART First State work together to deliver mobilityWhy leadership legacies are measured not only by what leaders build, but by what they leave behindCreditsHost and Producer: Paul ComfortExecutive Producer: Julie GatesProducer: Chris O’KeeffeEditor: Patrick EmileAssociate Producer: Cyndi RaskinCamera: Cyndi RaskinBrand Design: Tina OlagundoyeTransit 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.

Access to healthcare doesn't start at the doctor's office—it starts with transportation.In this episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort sits down with Steven Feist, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Coordinated Transportation Solutions (CTS), to explore the world of Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) and its growing role in healthcare access. Steven explains how transportation brokers connect Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries with the rides they need to reach appointments, treatments, pharmacies, and other critical services.The conversation examines how NEMT has evolved over the past two decades, from paper manifests and phone-based eligibility checks to sophisticated platforms powered by GPS tracking, mobile apps, APIs, and virtual agents. Steven also shares how CTS partners with transit agencies such as SEPTA and coordinates with ADA paratransit providers to create more efficient, cost-effective transportation networks.Paul and Steven discuss:What NEMT is and why it matters The relationship between healthcare access and transportationHow transportation brokers coordinate rides across multiple modesPartnerships between NEMT providers and public transit agenciesThe role of ADA paratransit in medical transportationTechnology's impact on trip scheduling, eligibility, and customer serviceEconomies of scale in statewide and regional transportation programsThe future of autonomous vehicles and telehealth in NEMTWhy breaking down transportation silos is essential for better health outcomesWhether you work in transit, healthcare, mobility management, or public policy, this episode offers valuable insights into one of the most important—and often overlooked—segments of the transportation industry.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.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.

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.