In this quarterly Transit Unplugged Insider, Paul Comfort and Julie Gates break down the most important developments shaping public transportation right now—from Washington leadership changes to emerging mobility technology.

They cover the five biggest stories transit leaders need to know, including:

FTA Leadership Shakeup – With no administrator or deputy currently in place, what does this leadership gap mean for the Federal Transit Administration and the industry at large?

Federal Funding Uncertainty – Proposed budget changes with potential cuts exceeding 20% year-over-year . What’s at risk—and how is the industry responding?

Reauthorization Outlook – Why the next major transportation bill may not pass this year, and what that delay could mean for agencies planning long-term investments .

Innovation Acceleration – From autonomous vehicles to electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, new technologies are rapidly moving from pilot programs to real-world deployment .

ThinkTransit Takeaways – Key insights from executive leaders across North America on cybersecurity, AI, safety, and operational strategy.

You’ll also hear:

Why rising fuel prices could drive increased transit ridership

How agencies are preparing for funding and policy uncertainty

What 500,000 weekly autonomous rides signal about the future of mobility

Why having a cybersecurity response plan is now essential

This episode is your insider briefing on the policies, people, and technologies shaping transit in 2026—with context you won’t hear anywhere else.

00:00 Insider Episode Kickoff

01:09 Big Changes at FTA

01:32 Leadership Vacuum Explained

02:22 Matt Webber Retires

03:00 Jamie Fister Steps In

03:30 Who Will Lead Next

04:25 Transit Funding Shakeup

05:01 Why the Budget Drops

06:45 APTA Pushback Strategy

07:26 Reauthorization Clock Ticking

10:35 Gas Prices and Ridership

12:18 EV Fees and Innovation Pivot

12:50 VTOLs and Advanced Air Mobility

17:12 Autonomous Vehicles Go Mainstream

Credits

Host and Producer: Paul Comfort

Executive Producer: Julie Gates

Producer: Chris O’Keeffe

Editor: Patrick Emile

Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin

Brand Design: Tina Olagundoye

Transit 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.

Tiffany Gunter, GM + CEO of Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation, joins Paul Comfort to explain how SMART saw a 40% ridership increase on key high-volume corridors including Gratiot and Woodward. She shares the operational changes behind the gains—from stronger on-time performance and improved frequencies to cleaner shelters, onboard Wi-Fi, and a renewed focus on customer experience.

Tiffany also shares her journey from transportation planner to CEO, and why hands-on leadership matters—including 3:30 AM terminal visits, riding with frontline teams, and tackling operational issues firsthand. She explains how SMART improved on-time performance from 65% to 76% in just weeks by focusing the organization on clear goals, communication, and a little friendly competition.

The conversation also explores Detroit’s resurgence, microtransit expansion, youth fare initiatives, and why telling a positive story about transit has never been more important.

In This Episode:

Tiffany’s career path from planner to CEO

Why “presence matters” in transit leadership

How SMART rapidly improved on-time performance

Gamifying performance with the “OTP Challenge”

Growing ridership through better service and amenities

Detroit’s comeback and transit’s role in regional growth

Free rides for students and future workforce development

Why storytelling matters for public transportation today

00:00 Meet Tiffany Gunter

01:30 Think Transit Reunion

03:00 Finding the X Factor

03:42 Transit Career Origin

05:37 Hands On Leadership

10:14 Detroit Transit Landscape

13:52 Culture of Care

17:53 Down With OTP

18:45 Daily Performance Huddles

20:01 Leaderboards And Buy In

21:51 Detroit Comeback Story

25:07 Big Events Transit Surge

25:55 Cutting the highlighted section below bc this has already happened

27:30 Future Plans And Free Rides

31:40 Leadership Lessons And Wrap

32:29 Not sure if this should be included

Credits

Host and Producer: Paul Comfort

Executive Producer: Julie Gates

Producer: Chris O’Keeffe

Editor: Patrick Emile

Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin

Brand Design: Tina Olagundoye

Transit 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.

How Transit CEOs Are Tackling Safety, Growth, and Leadership — Live from ThinkTransit

This week on Transit Unplugged, we take you live to Boston for a special CEO Roundtable recorded at the ThinkTransit Conference—featuring four of the most influential leaders in public transportation today.

Host Paul Comfort sits down with:

• Jay Fox — Executive Director, Utah Transit Authority
• Nora Leerhsen — Acting President, Chicago Transit Authority
• Richard A. Davey — CEO, Massport (former MBTA & NYC Transit leader)
• Harry Wilson — Chair & CEO, MV Transportation

Recorded in front of a live audience of transit professionals, this candid conversation explores what it really takes to lead large-scale transit systems in 2026.

From law and finance to teaching and federal service, each CEO shares the unconventional journey that led them to the top—and what they learned along the way.

Running a major transit system isn’t just operations—it’s politics, people, culture, and constant decision-making at scale.

A powerful, nuanced discussion on safety—from frontline presence and policing to the deeper issues of mental health and homelessness shaping the conversation today.

Why high-performing teams—not individuals—drive results, and how agencies are building cultures of continuous improvement.

• Airport-to-terminal security via transit (Massport innovation)
• System-wide culture transformation and teamwork (MV Transportation)
• Continuous improvement at scale (UTA)
• Reframing public perception through storytelling and pride (CTA)

• Transit is more than transportation—it reflects society itself.
• Safety requires more than enforcement—it demands strategy, presence, and partnership.
• Great agencies are built on culture, not just operations.
• Leaders must balance vision with execution—every single day.

This is a rare, unfiltered look inside the minds of transit CEOs—how they think, how they lead, and how they’re navigating one of the most complex and essential industries in the world.

Whether you're an operator, policymaker, or future leader, this episode offers a masterclass in modern transit leadership.

Credits

Host and Producer: Paul Comfort

Executive Producer: Julie Gates

Producer: Chris O’Keeffe

Editor: Patrick Emile

Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin

Brand Design: Tina Olagundoye

Transit 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.