METROspectives: Recent Episodes
METRO Magazine
Brought to you by METRO Magazine, METROspectives discusses all the latest topics impacting mobility, public transportation, the private motorcoach industry and more.
Today, Jannet Walker-Ford,Lead, Advisory and Planningbusiness, at WSP and David Scorey, CEO of Keolis North America, join METRO’sExecutive Editor Alex Roman.
Topics include:
· Walker-Ford’s new position as Chair of KeolisNorth America.
· The new face of mobility in North America in apost-COVID world.
· Worldwide approaches to contracting.
· Carbon reduction and zero-emission buses.
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Today, Paul Comfort, Transit Evangelist and SVP/ChiefCustomer Officer at Modaxo, and Davey Kim SVP/Principal, NationalTransportation Policy and Multimodal Strategy, at WSP USA, join METRO’sExecutive Editor Alex Roman.
Topics include:
· Paul’s “The New Future of Public Transportation”book.
· The Federal Government’s Role in Funding PublicTransit.
· Political Will to Replace Both the Federal andState Gas Taxes.
· Identifying Tomorrow’s Forward-Thinking Leaders.
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Today, Mark Aesch, CEO/Founder of TransPro Consulting, joinsMETRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman.
Topics include:
· How to think differently about publictransportation.
· Moving away from the ridership question.
· Finding the right story for your agency to tell.
· The Rays The Mark Foundation.
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Welcome back to METROspectives. Today, Anthony Incorvati, Business Development Manager, Americas, for Axis Communications, joins METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman from the APTA EXPO show floor.
Topics include:
- Axis Communications’ product portfolio
- How AI can be a good fit for transit
- Finding what works best for a transit agency
- Tech and public transit’s future
Sponsored by Axis Communications.
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⏱ Timestamps ⏱
0:00 Intro
00:27 About Axis Communications
1:12 Axis’ Product Portfolio
1:45 Is AI a One-Size-Fits-All Solution?
2:46 Walking Agencies Through What Best Fits
3:22 A Busy Year of Innovation for Axis
3:55 Tech and Public Transit’s Future
Welcome back to METROspectives. Today, Peter Aczel, CEO for Vontas; Jonny Simkin, CEO of Swiftly; and David Block-Schachter, Chief Business Officer at Transit, join METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman.
Topics include:
- A first of its kind partnership between Vontas,Swiftly, and Transit
- How open APIs will make larger-scaleintegrations a reality
- How supplier partnerships can improve theoverall passenger experience
- Solving post-COVID mobility issues
Sponsored by Vontas.
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⏱ Timestamps ⏱
0:00 Intro
00:47 Vontas Announces Maryland MTA Partnership withSwiftly and Transit
1:37 How the Partnership Came to Fruition
3:02 Swiftly’s Role in the New Partnership
4:14 Transit Providing Real-Time Information toPassengers
5:10 Redefining Industry Standards
6:00 How the Maryland MTA Project is One of a Kind
7:15 Providing ETA’s that Reflect Reality
8:57 Giving Riders the Tech Experience they are Used To
9:35 How Open APIs Can Take Partnering to the Next Level
10:30 Breaking Silos
11:30 Solving Lingering Post-Pandemic Mobility Issues
12:30 The Internal Benefits for Transit Agencies
Welcome back to METROspectives. Today, Scott Bogren, Executive Director for the CommunityTransportation Association of America (CTAA), joins METRO’s Executive EditorAlex Roman.
Topics include:
- What issues CTAA members are currently facing,including procurement and vehicle availability.
- New (and old) mobility approaches to betterserve communities.
- The ongoing funding issues for smaller transitagencies even after the IIJA infusion.
- Workforce challenges, the fare-freeconversation, marketing, and more.
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⏱ Timestamps ⏱
00:00 Intro
00:35 Podcasts and the Pandemic
2:05 Who the CTAA Represents and How it Helps Membership
3:10 Unique Challenges Facing CTAA Members
4:15 What It’s Like to be at CTAA for 35 Years
5:50 Procurement and Supply Chain Issues
7:52 Running a Lean Operation
9:20 New Mobility Models vs What Small and Rurals HaveAlways Done
11:50 Post-COVID Ridership
13:30 Do Smaller Agencies Have the Capacity to EmbraceTechnology?
14:38 The Fare-Free Conversation
16:30 Funding Approaches for Smaller Transit Agencies
18:13 The Changing Community Dynamic and Ballot Measures
20:40 IIJA as a Positive Step
21:48 Future Proofing Public Transit
24:20 Addressing the Workforce Shortage/Insuring Operator Safety
Welcome back to METROspectives. Today, Peter Aczel, CEO for Vontas, joins METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman.
Topics include:
- The company’s product portfolio
- Its Innovative Solutions Award victory with Fresno, Calif.’s FAX
- How Vontas completed the FAX project in 10 months
- A sneak peak on what’s in store at APTA’s TRANSform & EXPO in Orlando, Fla.
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⏱ Timestamps ⏱
0:00 Intro
00:49 A Look At The Services Vontas Provides
2:00 Reaction to Winning A 2023 Innovative Solutions Award
3:05 How It Teamed with FAX to Revamp Its System in 10 Months
4:50 What’s in Store for APTA’s 2023 EXPO
5:55 Hosting Paul Comfort at The Event…and His Banana Bread!
Welcome back to METROspectives. Today, Jared Schnader, Sr. Director, Bus Initiative Lead, at CALSTART, joins METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman.
Topics include:
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New lessons learned at more and more agencies scale up their ZEB programs.
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The importance of planning for the ultimate goal when working with utilities.
- The viability of zero-emissions being scaled nationwide.
- Hydrogen and the possibility for the further evolution of ZEB technologies.
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⏱ Timestamps ⏱
0:00 Intro
0:52 What CALSTART Does
3:07 The Transition to Zero
6:05 Transit Scaling Up ZEB Programs
9:00 Are Mandatory Larger Procurements on The Way?
10:05 Working with Utilities on The Ultimate Goal
12:32 Resiliency Planning
14:00 Is There Room for Other Alt Fuels?
16:44 ZEB Tech Evolving
18:20 Workforce Opportunities
19:40 The Viability of The Whole Nation Scaling Up ZEBs
23:05 How Hydrogen Fits Into The Picture
25:30 Are There New Innovations in The Offing?
Welcome back to METROspectives. Today, John Andoh, formerHele-On Mass Transit Administrator/GM John Andoh joins METRO’s Executive EditorAlex Roman.
Topics include:
- The experience of running public transit on the island.
- Rebuilding and reconnecting transit’s relationship with the community.
- Partnering to build new mobility models.
- Zero-Fare public transit.
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⏱ Timestamps ⏱
0:00 Intro
:48 Life on the Island
1:21 Wearing Multiple Hats for Multiple Agencies
2:20 Rebuilding Transit Agencies
4:15 The Power of Community Engagement
6:20 Internal vs External Rebranding Efforts
8:22 Unique Challenges on the Island
11:20 How Small Agencies Can Rebuild Fleets
13:10 Going 100% Zero Emissions
14:40 Operating Transit Near an Active Volcano
15:45 Building New Mobility Models
17:55 How Innovation Can Save Money
18:20 Re-engaging to Build a New Master Plan
20:15 What New Mobility Model Works Best and Where
22:25 Zero Fares
Welcome back to METROspectives. Today, Sophia Robison, Community Engagement Advocate and Urban Planner at SocialPinpoint, joins METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman.
Topics include:
- The benefits of “hybrid” engagement.
- Building better equity during the public outreach process.
- The power of building trust in the community.
- Successful engagement examples during the pandemic.
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⏱ Timestamps ⏱
0:00 Intro
1:40 The Benefits of “Hybrid” Engagement
3:20 Increasing Equity During the Engagement Process
4:38 Are There Compliance Issues Associated With Digital Engagement
6:40 Communicating Opinions Using Different Mediums
8:16 Building Trust
10:34 How SocialPinpoint is used in other industries
12:40 Success Stories from COVID
15:25 The Power of Information
16:20 Increasing Engagement in Unique Ways
Welcome back to METROspectives. Today, Mark Szyperski, President/CEO for On Your Mark Transportation joins METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman.
Topics include:
- How and why bus operations are lacking in their marketing practices.
- Free and low-cost marketing tips for bus operations.
- The driver issue and how it could be remedied.
- The state of the motorcoach industry.
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⏱ Timestamps ⏱
0:00 Intro
00:50 Why Marketing Your Operation Now is Important
2:12 Utilizing Your “Rolling Billboards”
3:15 Free and Low-Cost Marketing Tips
5:00 Do Bus Operations Currently Value Marketing?
6:08 The Value of Staying Social
7:00 Keeping Your Website Up to Date
8:06 Attracting Your Former Competitors’ Customers
9:52 Thoughts on ABA Marketplace/UMA Expo
10:50 There’s a Driver Shortage…Guess What Might Help That
Welcome back to METROspectives. Today, Michael Keroulle, President/CEO, Americas, at Alstom, joins METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman.
Topics include:
- How AI can help build equity on our roads.
- How automation can truly impact public transit now.
- Challenges facing transit agencies today.
- AI’s possible impact on transit in the future.
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⏱ Timestamps ⏱
0:00 Intro
00:43 About Hayden AI
1:42 Challenges Facing the Transit Industry
3:00 How AI Can Bring Equity to Roads
4:36 Is There a Data Learning Curve?
6:24 BRT Lane Enforcement
8:00 How Automated Technology Can Benefit Transit Now
9:27 Additional Benefits of AI
10:06 Transit’s Appetite for Technology
11:47 Is There a Reticence to Adopting AI?
13:05 Laws and Hurdles to Implementing AI
14:15 AI’s Possible Impact on Transit in the Future
Welcome back to METROspectives. Today, Michael Keroulle, President/CEO, Americas, at Alstom, joins METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman.
Topics include:
- What his first year on the job was like after coming on board both during COVID and following Alstom’s acquisition of Bombardier.
- The company’s rebranding efforts following the acquisition.
- New products and services being delivered to the North American market.
- The company’s focus on sustainability both today and moving forward.
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⏱ Timestamps ⏱
0:00 Intro
00:58 Looking Back on the First Year as President/CEO
2:45 Hurdles and Challenges with COVID, Bombardier Acquisition
6:10 Tools Used to Help Company Accomplish Goals
8:16 Alstom’s Rebranding Efforts
10:13 New Products and Services Coming to Market
14:20 The Difference in Building New Products and Models in North America vs Rest of the World
16:40 Alstom’s Focus on Sustainability
Welcome to our rebranded video series METROspectives. Today, Randy Cantor, Transportation Services Manager for the Carteret County Area Transportation System (CCATS) in Newport, N.C., joins METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman.
Topics include:
- The decision for CCATS to test propane usage for its fleet.
- The agency’s partnership with ROUSH CleanTech and its decision to expand their propane usage.
- How switching to propane has helped cut the agency’s fuel bill by more than 50%.
- Advice for agencies looking to switch to propane or any other alternative form of propulsion.
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⏱ Timestamps ⏱
0:00 Introduction
:40 Background on CCATS
1:23 Why Propane?
2:18 Partnering with ROUSH CleanTech
3:38 Initial Challenges with Propane
5:08 Post Purchase Relationship with ROUSH
6:00 Benefits Experienced by Switching to Propane
8:40 Advice for Agencies Looking to Test Alternative Fuels or Propulsion Systems
10:10 Future Fueling Plans
11:30 Final Thoughts on the Program
Fresh off of his trip to Dubai for UITP MENA, Transit Evangelist Paul Comfort joins METRO’s Alex Roman to discuss how the taxicabs in that region work together with public transit, as well as why some mobility models are slow to take hold in the states. He also discusses the benefits of contracting, his forthcoming book on equity and inclusion, and how he is merging his love for music and public transit.
Transit’s ridership dip during the pandemic didn’t stop all agencies from forging ahead.
In this episode of Roads, Rails, & Reels, NJ Transit President/CEO Kevin S. Corbett discusses:
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How the pandemic impacted the agency.
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How it moved forward through its “While You Were Away Campaign,” which focused on capital projects to update and improve services.
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Corbett also talks about the agency’s programs to bring ridership back and much more.
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⏱ Timestamps ⏱
0:00 Introduction
1:00 The Impact of COVID-19 on NJ TRANSIT
2:53 Lessons Learned by NJ TRANSIT from the Pandemic
5:11 The 'While You've Been Away' Campaign
7:46 Benefits for NJ TRANSIT Passengers
9:33 Programs NJ TRANSIT Has to Bring Passengers Back
The Center for Transportation and Environment recently conducted an analysis, which projected that public transit systems could go zero emissions by 2035 at a cost of between $56.22 billion and $88.91 billion. Dan Raudebaugh, Executive Director of the Center for Transportation and the Environment, or CTE, joins METRO’s Alex Roman to discuss the center and its work, as well as the report, including how it was put together, what some of the challenges of transitioning may be, and much more.
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For several years, the Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development at DePaul University in Chicago has studied the intercity bus industry and shared its findings both in its annual report and in the pages of METRO Magazine. Joseph Schwieterman, professor at the university and director of the institute, joins METRO’s Alex Roman to discuss some of the findings in this year’s report, as well as what lies ahead for the industry after a rocky 2020. He also touches on Greyhound’s decision to cease Canadian operations, how FlixBus is fairing in the U.S., and what the future may hold for the traditional major players in the market.
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Jason Ferbrache, administrator, and Jesse Rush, director of operations, for Oklahoma City’s EMBARK join METRO's Alex Roman to discuss the many initiatives going on at their agency, including an eight-mile, 32-stop BRT line. They also discuss how the pandemic brought the EMBARK team closer together and how the agency views mobility post-pandemic.
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Retiring Greater Dayton RTA CEO Mark Donaghy joins METRO’s Alex Roman to discuss his 45 years in the industry, the important role public transit plays in providing equity in communities across the nation, and his unique tie to desegregation in Omaha, Nebraska. He also discusses his greatest achievements in the industry, how transit has changed in his 45 years, and his post-retirement plans.
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Jessica Mefford-Miller, executive director for St. Louis’s Metro Transit, joins METRO's Alex Roman to discuss the many initiatives going on at her agency, including an electric bus program, new on-demand solutions, and the addition of mobile ticketing, as well as how the pandemic has impacted the region and how it will shape the future of mobility.
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MJ Maynard, CEO of the RTC of Southern Nevada, joins METRO's Alex Roman to discuss her recent article about the measures the agency is taking to protect its ridership during the pandemic, how COVID-19 is impacting the Las Vegas Strip, the RTC’s ongoing work with the ADA community, and more.
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Paul Comfort, VP, business development at Trapeze, and host of the Transit Unplugged podcast rejoins METRO's Alex Roman to discuss his upcoming children’s book about public transit. Comfort also discusses the state of the transit industry today, the need for more emergency funding, workforce development, and more.
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This episode features CharterUp Founder and CEO Armir Harris. CharterUP recently conducted a survey of 2,500 motorcoach operators from around the nation to gauge the impact the pandemic is continuing to have on the industry. Harris joins METRO Magazine Managing Editor Alex Roman to discuss some of the alarming findings from the survey and the industry’s efforts to urge Congress to pass the CERTS Act, or otherwise provide further assistance to motorcoach operators around the nation.
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This episode features Nicole Recker, VP of mobility services and administration at Texas’ Denton County Transportation Authority, and Tom Ryden, senior project manager for Lockwood, Andrews, and Newnam Inc. They join METRO Magazine Managing Editor Alex Roman to discuss the long and short-term implications for transit caused by the pandemic, how branding and messaging will play a part in ridership returning, funding, and much more.
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This episode features Chris Pangilinan, Head of Global Policy for Public Transportation at Uber. After working in transit for several years, as well as serving as a Program Director at the Transit Center, Chris joined Uber, in part, to help facilitate partnerships with transit agencies. Today, Chris discusses Uber's first Software-as-a-Service partnership with Marin Transit, how public transit agencies are adapting quicker then ever to increase the options they provide in the communities they serve, and how COVID-19 will impact future mobility models.
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This episode features Marco D'Angelo, President and CEO of the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA). Joining METRO's Managing Editor Alex Roman, D'Angelo discusses the impact of COVID-19 on Canadian transit, how some provinces are beginning to dial services back up to full schedules, and the ongoing fight to get federal funding to help offset operational losses due to the pandemic.
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This episode features John Andoh, Executive Director and CEO of South Carolina's The COMET mass transportation system. Joining METRO's Managing Editor Alex Roman, Andoh discusses how The COMET and its workforce are dealing with COVID-19, what it's like to be a manager of a public transportation agency at this time, and what the agency is doing to plan for its new post-pandemic reality.
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This episode features Paul Comfort, VP, business development at Trapeze, and host of the Transit Unplugged podcast. Joining METRO's Managing Editor Alex Roman, Comfort discusses the present and future of public transportation amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, his perspectives on what it's like to unpack an action plan, and his new book "The Future of Public Transportation."
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METROspectives has a conversation with the American Bus Association (ABA) President/CEO Peter Pantuso, who discusses the impact COVID-19 has had on the motorcoach industry and why he believes Congress must act to help support an industry that is mostly made up small, mostly family-run businesses.
For information on active letter-writing campaigns visit:
American Bus Association
United Motorcoach Association
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Community Transportation of America (CTAA) Director, Scott Bogren, joins METRO managing editor, Alex Roman, to have a conversation centered around how the CTAA and its membership is dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, how surface transportation reauthorization may play out, and how new mobility models differ in smaller cities versus larger metro regions.
For more information on the association and its efforts, Visit CTAA.
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