The Leadership Lessons Behind Long Beach Transit’s Success

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.