Transit Doesn’t Get a Pause Button
Transit doesn’t get the luxury of “wait and see.” Agencies are navigating real pressure—funding uncertainty, labor and vehicle costs, rising insurance rates, and an ever-growing list of security risks—while still delivering for riders every day. This week’s newsletter is a clear-eyed look at that reality, paired with the stories that keep the work human: candid voices from the field, deeper conversations from Montreal, and the reminders that progress is built one decision (and one trip) at a time.
And a quick update from the road: we’re back from Washington, DC after the TRB Annual Meeting, where we recorded not one, but TWO new episodes of Transit Unplugged Podcast—more to come soon. 🎙️
This Week on The Podcast
Paul is joined by Julie Brown, General Manager of Rogue Valley Transportation District (RVTD) in southern Oregon, President of the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA), and Chair of the Oregon Transportation Commission. Julie pulls back the curtain on the real, day-to-day pressures facing agencies like hers.
PREMIERE: Montreal Uncut!
Step beyond the main episode with this special companion feature and dive deeper into Montreal’s transit story with full-length conversations from industry leaders and innovators whose insights couldn’t fit in the original broadcast. Hear more from experts at STM, ARTM, Transdev Canada, Nova Bus, and Expretio Technologies as they share candid stories, challenges, and visions for the future of public transportation in Montreal and beyond.
ICYMI: Bennett Resnik
Paul 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 offers 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.
The News Minute
Curious about the latest headlines in the transit industry? Check out our Transit Unplugged News Minute with Julie Gates. She covers the biggest stories in the industry every week. Click to view, and subscribe so you don’t miss a thing. This week:
- 🗽 Metropolitan Transportation Authority – MTAsays congestion pricing in Manhattan is working — less traffic, cleaner air, safer streets, and $550M already reinvested into transit
- 🇨🇦 Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) approves its 2026 budget with a third fare freeze in a row
- 🍎 IndyGo makes its Food in Transit program permanent — supporting riders beyond the journey ❤️
Preorder: Find Your X Factor
by Paul Comfort
Paul’s new book is available for pre-order now! Find Your X Factor “reveals the path to discovering the unique intersection of natural strengths and core passions,” and “offers a powerful blueprint for thriving with meaning and momentum.” Lock in your copy now!
