What will define the next year of mobility—and which technologies are actually ready to move from hype to reality?

In this episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort sits down with John Rossant, CEO of CoMotion, for a wide-ranging look at the technologies, policies, and partnerships shaping transportation as 2027 approaches. Rossant explains why he believes autonomy will become a defining feature across urban mobility, from robotaxis and autonomous transit to artificial intelligence making transportation systems more efficient. He also explores the growing relationship between autonomous vehicles and public transit—and why the future may depend on making those modes work together seamlessly. The conversation also looks ahead to the 10th edition of CoMotion Los Angeles, where public agencies, private-sector innovators, startups, and global mobility leaders will come together in Los Angeles. Rossant discusses advances in electric vehicles, hydrogen, delivery robots, aviation, and mobility policy, while Paul and John explore what Los Angeles learned from the World Cup and what those lessons could mean as the region prepares for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

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.

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.

Nashville asked for more public transportation. WeGo is delivering.

In this episode, Paul Comfort talks with Andy Burke, Chief Operating Officer of WeGo Public Transit, about how Nashville is preparing for one of the largest transit expansions in the agency’s history.

Following voter approval of the Choose How You Move transportation program and its half-cent sales tax, WeGo is adding approximately 7% more bus service hours each year as part of a long-term expansion that could dramatically increase transit service across the region. That means more buses—but also more operators, mechanics, training, technology, and infrastructure to support them.

Andy explains how WeGo is building that capacity while protecting the reliability of the service riders already depend on. The agency is currently about 98% staffed for bus operators, while a three-year maintenance apprenticeship program is helping address one of the transit industry’s toughest workforce challenges: finding and developing skilled mechanics. So far, 11 apprentices have graduated from the program, and WeGo is exploring ways to expand that training model further.

Paul and Andy also discuss WeGo’s plans to move toward 24/7 service, targeted for summer 2027, and the operational questions that come with eliminating the overnight window currently used to fuel, clean, and prepare buses for the next day.

Technology is another major piece of the expansion. Andy shares how WeGo is breaking down departmental silos through a new enterprise systems team, developing WeGo Connect as a centralized source of information for employees, upgrading its enterprise asset management tools, and testing headway management on frequent bus corridors.

Andy, who also chairs the Bus Operations Committee for the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), talks about his own leadership journey and the importance of keeping priorities focused as an organization grows. His advice: identify the two or three things that matter most, build a strong culture around the people doing the work, and keep listening to frontline employees.

And after nearly 20 years in transit, Andy shares one more lesson that applies well beyond operations: the job can’t be your entire identity. From completing a half marathon to simply making room to slow down, he explains why taking care of yourself is part of sustaining a long career in the industry.

It’s an inside look at what transit expansion really requires—and how WeGo is building the people, systems, and culture Nashville will need for its next era of public transportation.

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.