Celebrating Disability Pride Month
On July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed into law, making it illegal to discriminate against those with disabilities. To honor the 36th anniversary this Sunday, as well as Disability Pride Month, Transit Unplugged is bringing you a highlight of our podcast episodes related to disability and healthcare in transit, right after recapping our two most recent episodes all about rail.
ICYMI: APTA Rail
The future of passenger rail is being built right now—and Transit Unplugged takes you inside one of the industry’s biggest events to see it firsthand. Recorded on location at the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Rail Conference in Baltimore, this special video episode features exclusive conversations with the leaders driving some of North America’s most ambitious rail projects. From the Purple Line in Maryland and MARC Train’s growing commuter network to Honolulu’s fully automated Skyline system and California High-Speed Rail, this is a front-row seat to the ideas, investments, and innovations shaping the next generation of public transportation.
ICYMI: How to Build a Train
Ever wondered how a modern passenger train actually gets built? In this special episode of Transit Unplugged TV, host Paul Comfort gets an unprecedented, all-access behind-the-scenes tour of Stadler’s train manufacturing facility in Salt Lake City, Utah — guided personally by Stadler US CEO Martin Ritter. From aluminum car shells and the welding shop to truck assembly, cable harnesses, and the private test track, this episode walks through every stage of building a train — including the commuter and transit cars Stadler has been building for Caltrain, MARTA, Metra, Trinity Metro, and Utah’s own UTA.
SPOTLIGHT: Morgan’s Wonderland
Some cities you visit, San Antonio you remember. Paul Comfort explores it all on VIA Metropolitan Transit, the largest bus-only system in the US. While there, Paul visits Morgan’s Wonderland, the world’s first ulta-accessible, fully inclusive theme park. They describe themselves as being a “clean and beautiful environment free of physical and economic barriers that all individuals – regardless of age, special need, or disability – can come to and enjoy,” and include over 25 wheelchair-accessible rides, sensory-safe play areas, and free admission for guests with special needs.
SPOTLIGHT: Steven Feist
Paul Comfort sits down with Steven Feist, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Coordinated Transportation Solutions (CTS), to explore the world of Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) and its growing role in healthcare access. Steven explains how transportation brokers connect Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries with the rides they need to reach appointments, treatments, pharmacies, and other critical services.
SPOTLIGHT: Paratransit Leaders
Paratransit isn’t just an “unfunded mandate”—it’s a cornerstone of transit’s value to the community. LIVE from the American Public Transportation Association’s TRANSform conference, host Paul Comfort moderates a live panel on one of the most mission-critical—but often overlooked—parts of the transit ecosystem. Presented in partnership with UZURV – The Adaptive Transportation Network Company (TNC), this candid and high-energy conversation features leaders from across the country who are redefining what’s possible when innovation meets accessibility.
SPOTLIGHT: Ned Freeman
CEO Ned Freeman joins Paul Comfort to discuss UZURV and how it’s transforming paratransit service across the United States. As an adaptive Transportation Network Company (TNC), UZURV gives transit agencies greater flexibility in delivering safe, reliable, and ADA-compliant paratransit services within their communities. By combining the convenience and flexibility of rideshare platforms with the compliance and accountability of traditional paratransit operations, UZURV offers agencies a modern approach to meeting growing mobility needs.
SPOTLIGHT: Reimagining Paratransit
Paul Comfort sits down with Access Services’ Andre Colaiace, MTA’s Chris Pangilinan, and TriMet’s Eileen Collins Turvey to discuss the ways in which Transportation Network Companies (TNCs), like Uber and Lyft, have allowed paratransit riders the same opportunities as the rest of their communities. These industry experts explain what steps are being taken to improve and modernize paratransit services.
SPOTLIGHT: Ron Brooks & Kristen Joyner
What does it take to make transit accessible, both on vehicles and beyond? Ron Brooks and Kristen Joyner tell Paul Comfort about their book, All Aboard: Conducting Accessible Community Involvement for Public Transit, which helps leaders in the industry better serve the disabled community. Ron Brooks lost his vision at the age of fourteen and has now worked in the public transit industry for over thirty years. He is a sought-after expert in the ways to make public transit more accessible and inclusive, pulling on both personal and professional experience. Kristen Joyner is one of the industry’s best event planners with a knack for marketing and training. Together they create an incredible guide covering ways to ensure those with disabilities get a voice at the table.
