The Transit Authority

This podcast explores the transformative influence of women in executive leadership. Hear about the multifaceted ways in which female leaders are shaping the landscape of transit and fostering positive change within their organizations and communities.

Host:

• Dawn Distler, Chief Executive Officer, METRO Regional Transit Authority

Guests:

• Nadine Lee, President & CEO, Dallas Area Rapid Transit
• Erin Rogers, CEO and General Manager, Omnitrans
• MJ Maynard, Vice Chair, APTA Board of Directors; and Chief Executive Officer, RTC Southern Nevada
• Charlotte Shaw, Executive Director/CEO, Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority (MAX)

APTA interviews Christof Spieler on his book “Trains / Buses / People: An Opinionated Atlas of US and Canadian Transit – Second Edition.” The discussion goes into depth on the attributes of good public transportation, taking a close look at systems across North America. Factors such as frequency, reliability, access, and legibility are considered, identifying ways transit service is doing well, along with ways it sometimes comes up short.

The Transit Authority is proud to present part-two of series with tools to help you retain and engage staff.

In this episode you’ll hear from Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority General Manager and CEO, India Birdsong-Terry and her team about their peer-to-peer mentoring program. Tune in to learn more about how their team partners with ATU to build and manage the program.

Part II – Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA)

NOTE: Listen to Part I with Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA).

The Transit Authority is proud to present a 2-part series with tools to help you retain and engage staff.

You’ll hear from Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority COO, Derik Calhoun and Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority General Manager and CEO, India Birdsong-Terry. Tune in to learn more about how their team’s partner with ATU to build and manage successful mentoring programs.

Part I – Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA)

APTA's Transit Authority is proud to present a special 2023 year-end podcast with host Paul Comfort and our friends at Transit Unplugged, with guests Paul P. Skoutelas, President & CEO of APTA, and Petra Mollet, VP of Strategic International Programs. The lively conversation focused on the year that was and what we should be looking forward to in 2024.

The boost in infrastructure funding was, of course, the big news of the year, but it’s somewhat overshadowed by ongoing funding issues at many agencies across North America.

But it’s not all bad, because Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour introduced a whole new audience to transit this year. In city after city, the Eras Tour triggered massive transit use to get to the concerts.

Heading into 2024, everyone is optimistic that we’re finally shaking off the focus on ridership numbers and moving towards what is the service we’re offering, and are we serving everyone we should.

The Vancouver, Canada region stands out as a model for transit supportive land use, transit ridership per-capita, and in its exemplary commitment to sustainability practices. TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn outlines the ways public transportation is the backbone of mobility in the Vancouver region, and how transit has a central role in fulfilling broader region goals and priorities.

Recorded on the trade show floor at APTA’s EXPO 2023 in Orlando, Florida, our special guest Stephen Gardener, CEO of Amtrak, discusses a wide range of topics including Amtrak’s role in linking cities, regions and rural America, how intercity passenger rail travel options can be made more attractive, recent and upcoming Amtrak system improvements, career advice for students, and more.

Have you struggled with how to build community at the same time you are planning, designing, building a project? Understanding of the role and import of transportation in peoples’ lives has evolved, and transportation professionals need a new frame and methodology to help them successfully meet and balance multiple vague and conflicting goals.  Transportation projects we plan and deliver must be informed by the needs of the people and communities they are intended to serve.  This edition of The Transit Authority will feature a conversation with Lynn Peterson, author of the new book Roadways for People:  Rethinking Transportation Planning and Engineering.  Lynn will describe how the well-being of communities and the people who live there is dependent of the planning, community involvement, and goal-setting that goes into the front end of transportation projects.   Lynn is currently serving as President of Oregon Metro Council. 

In this episode, we discuss shifting trends in mobility and how a transit organization can and must adjust to serve the public with guest Rolando Cruz, Chief Transportation Officer at Culver CityBus in California.

This podcast highlights Sound Transit’s approach to diversity, equity and inclusion and anti-racism. Hear from Sound Transit CEO, Peter Rogoff and their Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, Jonté Robinson.