This episode explores Honolulu's Skyline — the U.S.'s first fully automated elevated rail — its American Public Transportion Association 2026 Innovation Award, how it runs with 99%+ on-time performance, and the rider experience from stations to open gangway trains.

Check out more from the APTA conference with bonus content in the coming weeks on the Transportopia Patreon page. transportopia.org/patreon

Show Notes:

• Skyline video
• Skyline Home Page
• Hitachi Rail: Skyline first anniversary
• IEEE Hawaii WIE: Behind the Scenes at Hitachi Rail Honolulu

This expanded bonus edition of Transportopia New and Views reports from The American Public Transportation Association's TRANSFORM Conference in Chicago, highlighting innovation across public transportation, including automated rail, community-focused station activations in Honolulu, and new on-demand electric shuttles.

Highlights include Cara Mazzei's talk on building ridership for Honolulu’s Skyline, scenes from the Innovation Summit, and a look at Argo’s small electric bus as a first/last-mile solution. Check out more from the conference in the coming weeks and on the Transportopia Patreon page. transportopia.org/patreon

Show Notes:

• APTA
• Skyline video
• Skyline Home Page
• Metro Magazine: APTA 2026 TRANSform & EXPO Kicks Off in Chicago
• Hitachi Rail: Skyline first anniversary
• IEEE Hawaii WIE: Behind the Scenes at Hitachi Rail Honolulu

Recorded at the American Public Transportation Association's TRANSform Expo and conference in Chicago, this episode features Carrie Schindler, San Bernadino County Transportation Authority's executive director, discussing ZEMU — a Stadler-built hydrogen fuel cell train now running on Metrolink's Arrow Line between San Bernardino and Redlands. ZEMU is the first hydrogen-powered passenger train in North America built to FRA standards.

The conversation covers why SBCTA chose hydrogen, the partnerships and safety work needed to meet federal rules, fueling and maintenance challenges, community reaction, costs of being first, and what the California order of additional hydrogen trains could mean for the future of rail.

Show Notes

SBCTA ZEMU web site: https://www.gosbcta.com/project/zero-emission-multiple-unit-zemu/

Metrolink Arrow Service: https://metrolinktrains.com/rider-info/arrow/