Transit Unplugged

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.

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.

On this episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort is joined by Roger Harris, President of Amtrak, for an in-depth look at what’s driving momentum at America’s national railroad. Roger breaks down a remarkable 2025 for Amtrak—highlighting record ridership, revenue growth, and historic capital investment—and shares what’s ahead in 2026 as the organization stays focused on one core priority: running a great railroad.Paul and Roger explore how Amtrak operates as both a passenger rail provider and a critical infrastructure partner—especially in the complex Northeast Corridor ecosystem where commuter agencies and intercity rail depend on shared networks, tunnels, and bridges. Roger also digs into how smarter scheduling, strong demand, and modernized service planning are fueling growth—while new investment helps deliver more consistent reliability and a stronger customer experience.They also preview what’s coming next, including the NextGen Acela rollout, the future of Airo fleet modernization, and new service momentum like the Amtrak Mardi Gras route. Plus, Roger shares how Amtrak is preparing to support major national moments ahead—including World Cup travel and America 250.In this episode, you’ll hear:What drove Amtrak’s record performance in 2025 Why “running a great railroad” means consistency, tools, and reliability How Amtrak supports commuter partners as an infrastructure provider What’s next for NextGen Acela and Airo fleet modernization How Amtrak is preparing for World Cup crowds and America 250Host + Producer: Paul ComfortExecutive Producer: Julie GatesProducer: Chris O'KeeffeEditor: Patrick EmileAssociate Producer: Cyndi RaskinBrand Design: Tina OlagundoyeSocial Media: Tatyana MechkarovaIf you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.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, its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent. This production belongs to Modaxo and may contain information subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights. This content is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Modaxo disclaims all warranties and liability arising from the use of this material.

What’s the state of transit in Canada right now—and what’s next?In this episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort sits down with Dave Reage, Chair of the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) and a longtime transit leader with deep experience in Halifax Transit. Dave shares a national view of Canada’s biggest transit priorities—from funding and financial stability to ridership shifts, workforce challenges, and the evolving role of technology and innovation.Dave also reflects on Halifax’s unique transit story (including its historic harbor ferries) and explains why Canada’s post-pandemic demand patterns are rewriting the rules—creating new pressure to match service levels with changing rider behavior.In this episode, you’ll hear:How Canadian transit governance differs from the U.S. modelWhy operating funding is one of the biggest challenges facing agencies across CanadaWhat ridership recovery looks like now—and why off-peak and weekend travel is risingThe “new normal” for demand: Wednesday peaks, lighter Mondays and FridaysThe workforce crunch impacting reliability, operations, and service deliveryWhy electrification matters, but shouldn’t distract from service fundamentalsWhat’s happening with hydrogen pilots and alternative propulsion strategiesHow microtransit and on-demand service are filling service gapsThe growing federal emphasis on aligning transit investment with housing and land useFeatured GuestDave ReageChair, Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA)Formerly with Halifax Transit (18 years), including nine years leading the agencyAlso MentionedCUTA (Canadian Urban Transit Association)Halifax, Nova ScotiaMontreal / Quebec CityCanadian Public Transit FundTransit-oriented development and housing integrationHost + Producer: Paul ComfortExecutive Producer: Julie GatesProducer: Chris O'KeeffeEditor: Patrick EmileAssociate Producer: Cyndi RaskinBrand Design: Tina OlagundoyeSocial Media: Tatyana MechkarovaIf you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.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, its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent. This production belongs to Modaxo and may contain information subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights. This content is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Modaxo disclaims all warranties and liability arising from the use of this material.

As Transit Unplugged kicks off 2026, host Paul Comfort sits down with Bennett Resnik, Senior Vice President in the Critical Infrastructure Group at Venn Strategies, for a wide-ranging conversation on the federal forces shaping public transportation in the year ahead.This episode marks the first installment in a multi-part State of Transit series, offering listeners a clear, insider perspective from Washington, DC. Bennett brings deep experience from Capitol Hill to break down what transit leaders should be paying attention to right now — and what’s coming next.In this episode, we explore:The upcoming Surface Transportation Reauthorization — what it is, why it matters, and realistic timelines for passage How the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) changed transit funding — and why the next bill will likely look very different The evolving federal stance on zero-emission buses, including battery electric, hydrogen, CNG, and hybrid fleets How shifting policy priorities are influencing manufacturers, procurement decisions, and fleet strategies The current and future impact of Buy America requirements, including costs, compliance, and domestic manufacturing What ongoing federal budget negotiations and continuing resolutions mean for transit agencies in 2026 Why global events like the Olympics and FIFA World Cup are increasingly shaping federal transportation planning Throughout the conversation, Paul and Bennett connect federal policy decisions to on-the-ground realities for transit agencies — from capital planning and vehicle procurement to safety, reliability, and long-term investment.🏛️ ThinkTransit Executive SummitTransit executives interested in diving deeper into these topics are invited to attend the ThinkTransit Executive Summit, taking place this March in Boston as part of the ThinkTransit Conference.The Executive Summit brings together senior transit leaders for a candid, in-person, Chatham House Rules discussion on:Safety, security, and fare evasion Cybersecurity and AI in transit operations Federal policy, funding, and the future of mobility 👉 Learn more and register here:https://trapezegroup.com/thinktransit/executive-summit/Host + Producer: Paul ComfortExecutive Producer: Julie GatesProducer: Chris O'KeeffeEditor: Patrick EmileAssociate Producer: Cyndi RaskinBrand Design: Tina OlagundoyeSocial Media: Tatyana MechkarovaIf you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com📩 Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter:https://transitunplugged.com/subscribeDisclaimer:The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo, its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent. This production belongs to Modaxo and may contain information subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights. This content is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Modaxo disclaims all warranties and liability arising from the use of this material.