Gold Stars, Congestion Pricing, and Detroit-Style Pizza
What happens when a former bus operator becomes the leader of one of the largest transit systems in the Midwest?
In this episode of Transit Unplugged Podcast, Paul Comfort rides along with Dwight Ferrell, General Manager of the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART), to talk about transforming Southeast Michigan’s transit—one minivan, one strategic hire, and one gold star at a time. From macro vision to microtransit, Dwight shares how SMART is adapting to a post-pandemic world with people-focused leadership and region-wide ambition. They discuss:
- SMART’s wildly successful Flex microtransit service and how it’s reshaping regional mobility
- The agency’s evolving approach to talent, strategy, and technology
- Dwight’s journey from behind the wheel to the executive office
- Why employee engagement might be the most underrated driver of transit success
This is a companion podcast to the Transit Unplugged TV episode featuring Detroit’s transit systems—coming in June.
Coming Next Week
Next week on Transit Unplugged Podcast: What’s it like to lead a global transportation company with operations across four continents—on land and sea? Paul talks with Graeme Legh, the newly appointed CEO of Kelsian Group, about the leadership mindset he’s bringing to the role and what the future holds for one of the world’s largest multimodal transit operators.
They explore how Kelsian is navigating growth, embracing sustainability, and proving that public-private partnerships can work at scale. Whether you’re running a fleet or just fascinated by the future of mobility, this episode offers a front-row seat to big-picture thinking on a global stage.
ICYMI: Concerts, Nightlife, and Transit – Only in Vegas
Whether you’re heading to a concert, a Formula One race, or just exploring the Strip, see how to get around Las Vegas with ease using both public and private transit options in Concerts, Nightlife, and Transit – Only in Vegas
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This Week in Transit News
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:
- NYC Congestion pricing keeps going…for now…
- Sacramento launches AI-powered bike lane enforcement
- Keep an eye out for free transit rides on Earth Day
