Transit Unplugged

What will define the next year of mobility—and which technologies are actually ready to move from hype to reality? In this episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort sits down with John Rossant, CEO of CoMotion, for a wide-ranging look at the technologies, policies, and partnerships shaping transportation as 2027 approaches. Rossant explains why he believes autonomy will become a defining feature across urban mobility, from robotaxis and autonomous transit to artificial intelligence making transportation systems more efficient. He also explores the growing relationship between autonomous vehicles and public transit—and why the future may depend on making those modes work together seamlessly. The conversation also looks ahead to the 10th edition of CoMotion Los Angeles, where public agencies, private-sector innovators, startups, and global mobility leaders will come together in Los Angeles. Rossant discusses advances in electric vehicles, hydrogen, delivery robots, aviation, and mobility policy, while Paul and John explore what Los Angeles learned from the World Cup and what those lessons could mean as the region prepares for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Learn more about CoMotion Credits Host and Producer: Paul Comfort Executive Producer: Julie Gates Producer: Chris O’Keeffe Production Assistant: Desmond Gates Editor: Patrick Emile Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin Brand Design: Tina Olagundoye Production Assistant: Desmond Gates Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo, passionate about moving the world’s people. For more information, visit: www.Transit Unplugged.com 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.

Nashville asked for more public transportation. WeGo is delivering. In this episode, Paul Comfort talks with Andy Burke, Chief Operating Officer of WeGo Public Transit, about how Nashville is preparing for one of the largest transit expansions in the agency’s history. Following voter approval of the Choose How You Move transportation program and its half-cent sales tax, WeGo is adding approximately 7% more bus service hours each year as part of a long-term expansion that could dramatically increase transit service across the region. That means more buses—but also more operators, mechanics, training, technology, and infrastructure to support them. Andy explains how WeGo is building that capacity while protecting the reliability of the service riders already depend on. The agency is currently about 98% staffed for bus operators, while a three-year maintenance apprenticeship program is helping address one of the transit industry’s toughest workforce challenges: finding and developing skilled mechanics. So far, 11 apprentices have graduated from the program, and WeGo is exploring ways to expand that training model further. Paul and Andy also discuss WeGo’s plans to move toward 24/7 service, targeted for summer 2027, and the operational questions that come with eliminating the overnight window currently used to fuel, clean, and prepare buses for the next day. Technology is another major piece of the expansion. Andy shares how WeGo is breaking down departmental silos through a new enterprise systems team, developing WeGo Connect as a centralized source of information for employees, upgrading its enterprise asset management tools, and testing headway management on frequent bus corridors. Andy, who also chairs the Bus Operations Committee for the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), talks about his own leadership journey and the importance of keeping priorities focused as an organization grows. His advice: identify the two or three things that matter most, build a strong culture around the people doing the work, and keep listening to frontline employees. And after nearly 20 years in transit, Andy shares one more lesson that applies well beyond operations: the job can’t be your entire identity. From completing a half marathon to simply making room to slow down, he explains why taking care of yourself is part of sustaining a long career in the industry. It’s an inside look at what transit expansion really requires—and how WeGo is building the people, systems, and culture Nashville will need for its next era of public transportation. Credits Host and Producer: Paul Comfort Executive Producer: Julie Gates Producer: Chris O’Keeffe Production Assistant: Desmond Gates Editor: Patrick Emile Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin Brand Design: Tina Olagundoye Production Assistant: Desmond Gates Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo, passionate about moving the world’s people. For more information, visit: www.Transit Unplugged.com 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.

What does a great transit leader leave behind? For Ken McDonald, President and CEO of Long Beach Transit and the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) 2025 Outstanding Public Transportation CEO of the Year, leadership isn’t just about running a successful agency. It’s about making the people around you better—and giving them the knowledge and opportunities to become leaders themselves. In this episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort talks with Ken about the lessons he’s learned across four decades in public transportation and 13 years leading Long Beach Transit. Ken explains why sharing knowledge is a responsibility of leadership, how developing future transit executives has become part of his legacy, and why strong leaders also need trusted “thought partners” who challenge them and help them grow. They also explore how Long Beach Transit keeps the customer at the center of its operation. Ken shares how the agency’s Achieving Customer Excellence program asks employees to ride the system and map the journey from a passenger’s perspective—then use what they learn to improve service, information, and the overall customer experience. Looking ahead to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, Ken shares three lessons from the FIFA World Cup that he believes will be critical to delivering successful transportation: detailed preparation, thorough communication across the entire organization, and trusting staff to execute the plan. Ken and Paul also discuss operational discipline, digital transformation and artificial intelligence, workforce development, zero-emission transit, and why customer excellence should remain at the center of every decision transit leaders make. It’s a conversation about running a transit agency—but even more, it’s about building a leadership legacy that lasts long after you leave. 00:00 Welcome to Transit Unplugged 00:28 Meet Ken McDonald 02:28 APTA Expo CEO Roundtable 04:34 Interview Begins 04:44 Conversation Begins 05:54 CEO of the Year Honor 06:44 Ken’s Career Journey 09:20 Long Beach Transit Service Area 09:55 Fleet and Zero Emission Shift 11:34 Funding and Grants 14:07 Governance and Ridership Impact 16:25 Leadership and Customer Excellence 19:45 ACE Customer Excellence 22:27 Richer Bus Info 22:53 Leaders Ken Developed 23:20 Sharing Knowledge Mindset 24:03 Fruitfulness And Service 24:33 Thought Partners In Leadership 24:58 Olympics Prep Begins 25:30 FIFA Lessons For Olympics 26:51 Trust Staff To Execute 27:21 Olympics Planning Experience 28:22 Technology Partnership Awards 29:26 What Leaders Focus On 30:15 AI And Workforce Training 31:32 Closing Thanks And Credits Credits Host and Producer: Paul Comfort Executive Producer: Julie Gates Producer: Chris O’Keeffe Production Assistant: Desmond Gates Editor: Patrick Emile Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin Brand Design: Tina Olagundoye Production Assistant: Desmond Gates Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo, passionate about moving the world’s people. For more information, visit: www.Transit Unplugged.com 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.

Does commuter rail still describe what the service is becoming in many cities? Across the industry, the traditional model of carrying workers downtown in the morning and home again in the evening is evolving. At Metra in Chicago, that change is showing up in a fascinating way: total ridership remains below 2019 levels, but CEO and Executive Director Jim Derwinski says Metra now serves more unique passengers than it did before the pandemic. People are still riding. They're just riding differently. This week on Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort takes the show aboard a Metra train in Chicago to explore another chapter in the continuing evolution of commuter rail—and what happens when a system built around the commute starts serving a much broader range of trips. Metra is responding by spreading service more evenly throughout the day, improving connections between lines and attracting more discretionary and weekend riders. Jim calls the strategy regional rail, part of a broader shift away from designing service almost entirely around traditional rush hours. But changing commuter rail in Chicago comes with some extraordinary operational challenges. Metra operates 11 lines and roughly 700 revenue trains a day at the center of the nation's rail network. Its trains interact with six Class I freight railroads and Amtrak, meaning more frequency and better connections also require navigating one of the most complicated rail environments in the country. Jim and Paul also look at the next chapter for the wider Chicago transit network through the new Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA). Metra, Chicago Transit Authority and Pace are moving toward greater regional coordination, with opportunities for integrated fares, fare capping, better multimodal connections and service that makes transferring between systems easier for passengers. Parts of Chicago's rail network still rely on air-powered switching technology dating to the 1930s. At the same time, Metra is preparing to test battery-powered trains and introduce a new generation of smart railcars—putting nearly a century of rail technology side by side on the same system. Jim also shares his own Metra story, from joining the agency as an electrician after serving in the Navy and working in freight rail to eventually becoming its CEO. In this episode: - Why the term "commuter rail" may no longer tell the whole story - How changing travel patterns are reshaping when and why people ride Metra - Why Metra has more unique passengers even as total trips remain below 2019 levels - What the shift toward regional rail looks like in practice - How Metra operates 700 daily trains in the center of America's freight rail network - Why frequency and better connections are critical to attracting new trips - How Metra, CTA and Pace could become a more integrated regional network 00:00 Welcome to Transit Unplugged 00:20 Meet Metra CEO Jim 01:19 Riding the Train Live 01:25 Metra Network Overview 01:52 Sharing Tracks With Freight 02:49 Chicago Rail Spiderweb 03:07 Class One Railroads Explained 03:21 Amtrak and Metra Yards 03:41 Metra Origins and Subsidies 04:02 Chicago Dispatching Challenges 04:50 A2 Tower Time Capsule 05:21 Union Station and Terminals 05:58 Ridership Today and Peaks 06:17 Post Pandemic Rider Shift 06:37 Regional Rail Scheduling 08:08 How Far Metra Reaches 08:40 Transit Unplugged Promo Break 09:13 NITA and System Integration 09:50 Universal Fares and Capping 10:21 Farebox Recovery and Funding 11:35 Building Hubs and Frequency 13:05 Commuter Rail Coalition View 15:07 Jim Derwinski Career Story 15:53 Future Expansion and New Tech 17:08 Battery Trains and Smart Cars 18:45 PTC and Operations Changes 19:38 Old Towers to Remote Control 20:27 NITA Timeline and Next Steps 22:13 Wrap Up and Credits Credits Host and Producer: Paul Comfort Executive Producer: Julie Gates Producer: Chris O’Keeffe Production Assistant: Desmond Gates Editor: Patrick Emile Associate Producer and Thumbnail Photo: Cyndi Raskin Brand Design: Tina Olagundoye Production Assistant: Desmond Gates Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo, passionate about moving the world’s people. For more information, visit: www.Transit Unplugged.com 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.

What if the work you're meant to do isn't something you find—but something you build? In Part II of Transit Unplugged's special Find Your X Factor series, Paul Comfort talks with two transportation leaders whose very different careers reveal how our experiences, abilities, and passions can eventually come together into something bigger. Mike Heidkamp spent his career working his way through nearly every level of public transportation. As a teenager on his own after losing his mother, the 41B bus in Pittsburgh was his lifeline to a job. Years later, he would go from auto mechanic to bus operator, instructor, manager, and ultimately Chief Transportation Officer at what is now Pittsburgh Regional Transit. Mike talks with Paul about realizing that being good at something isn't necessarily the same as finding your purpose—and how his own experiences taught him to build a career around serving people. His leadership philosophy is just as simple: never forget where you came from. Mike explains why frontline employees and passengers remained at the center of his thinking even as he moved into senior leadership, and why gaining a bigger voice also means gaining a responsibility to use it for others. Then, Rudy Salo shares a very different path to finding his X Factor. A municipal bond lawyer with lifelong interests in creativity and public transportation, Rudy realized there were important parts of himself that his day job wasn't exercising. Improv, acting, stand-up comedy, writing and podcasting helped him rediscover that creative side—and eventually helped reshape his professional career. When the transportation work Rudy wanted wasn't coming to him, he didn't quit his job. He started creating opportunities outside of it. Through writing, speaking, podcasting and becoming part of the transportation community, he built a reputation around something he genuinely cared about. Eventually, his passion and his profession began to intersect. Together, the conversations offer two paths toward the same idea: your X Factor can emerge from the experiences that shaped you, but you can also take an active role in creating the opportunities that bring it to life. In this episode: - How public transportation became a lifeline—and eventually a calling—for Mike Heidkamp - Why great leaders never forget what it's like on the front line - The difference between being good at something and finding meaningful work - Why Rudy Salo considers creativity essential to both his happiness and professional success - How interests outside your day job can create new career opportunities - Why you don't necessarily have to quit your job to pursue the work you really want - How to recognize the intersection between your interests, abilities, and purpose 00:00 Welcome and X Factor Series 00:55 Meet Mike and Rudy 02:33 Mike Saved by Transit 03:35 41B Bus Lifeline 05:50 Mechanic to Purpose 07:03 Operator Years Serving Riders 08:12 Never Forget Frontline 10:12 Management Calling and Union 11:31 Leading with Voice 18:09 Rudy Creativity Awakens 26:20 Punk Rock Lifeline 27:08 Scene and Belonging 27:57 Politics Through Lyrics 28:42 Finding Municipal Finance 30:51 Library Moment Click 32:48 Creativity in Bond Law 35:12 Beyond One Box 35:58 Transit Roots and Hustle 39:03 Side Projects Create Luck 45:56 Final Takeaways and Wrap Credits Host and Producer: Paul Comfort Executive Producer: Julie Gates Producer: Chris O’Keeffe Production Assistant: Desmond Gates Editor: Patrick Emile Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin Brand Design: Tina Olagundoye Production Assistant: Desmond Gates Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo, passionate about moving the world’s people. For more information, visit: www.Transit Unplugged.com 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.