Putting a bow on 2024 at Transit Unplugged
We shored up transit’s foundation in 2024, but what will 2025 bring?
Welcome to the final Transit Unplugged newsletter for 2024! It’s been quite a year hasn’t it? Looking back at all the podcast and Transit Unplugged TV episodes, it’s pretty safe to say that 2024 was a building or shoring up year for transit around the world. A lot of big transit projects came online. The post-pandemic ridership recovery continues with the “three-day city” becoming the new normal and this fall’s U.S. election saw billions of dollars of funding approved by voters.
But as much as 2024 is a year to celebrate transit, 2025 could be a bumpy road. A lot remains uncertain, but there is a lot of hope that together we can galvanize support for transit throughout North America and the world to maintain and even expand transit funding.
Speaking of transit around the world, this week we have the first of five podcast episodes from Paul’s epic 10-day trip to Australia. First up, we have John Storms of Transit Systems Victoria and Mark Peters of Transit Systems Australia giving us an overview of transit Down Under, their plans for zero emissions, and expanding the transit workforce.
Much like in North America, Australia has cities surrounded by sprawling, low-density suburbs that are challenging for any public transit system to serve. John and Mark talk frankly about these challenges and what needs to be done to address them. Solutions that could be models for the rest of the world.
Coming up on the podcast in December
This might be the last newsletter of 2024, but that doesn’t mean we’re out of podcast episodes for the year! We still have two great episodes coming up this year, plus an amazing episode to kick off 2025!
We start off with our end-of-year 2024 wrap up and look ahead to 2025, but with a twist. We’re turning the tables on Paul with our own award-winning radio journalist, Julie Gates, interviewing him. Paul talks about his highlights from 2024 and what’s ahead for 2025. This will also be our first video podcast. Yep, you get to see all the folks behind Transit Unplugged on your screen.
Our editor Tris Hussey isn’t too sure about this (he says he has a face made for radio), but he did wear an ugly Christmas sweater for the occasion.
You can find the video version on YouTube and Spotify and the audio only version everywhere else (and on YouTube as well).
The following week we do deep-dive look ahead to 2025 with transit futurist Rudy Salo. Rudy talks with Paul about what’s going to shape the entire transportation sector next year. From robotaxis and EVs to autonomous vehicles and the bond market, Rudy shares his thoughts on transportation in Los Angeles even before the Olympics start. Rudy explains how a little-known facet of municipal bonds could threaten transit projects across the U.S.
Then we kick off 2025 with the second of Paul’s episodes from Australia with a true transportation legend: Howard Collins, OBE. Howard talks with Paul about everything he’s learned in his 47 year career, the things he’s most excited about now, and what Australia needs to do to boost transit use.
Because Christmas Day and New Year’s Day fall on Wednesdays this year, we’re releasing the next two episodes a day early on Tuesday the 24th and 31st.
Follow or subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube so you don’t miss an episode.
Catch all the interviews from Alaska in one place
If you liked our two Transit Unplugged TV episodes from Alaska, you’ll love our Behind the Scenes episode featuring extended interviews from:
- Jamie Acton, Executive Director, Municipality of Anchorage (MOA) Public Transportation
- Bart Rudolph Planning & Communications Director, MOA Public Transportation
- Jackson Fox, Executive Director, FAST Planning
- Michelle Denton, Transportation Director, Fairbanks North Star Borough
- Corey DiRutigliano, Transportation Planner, FAST Planning
- Mayor Bryce Ward, Fairbanks North Star Borough
- Kasey Gillam, Director of Communications, Explore Fairbanks
- Beth Richards, Co-owner, Salmon Bake
- Skyler Evans, Riverboat Discovery
Dive back into these in-depth discussions with the guests featured in the episodes from Anchorage and Fairbanks.
Subscribe on YouTube so you don’t miss an episode.
This Week in Transit News…
The American Public Transportation Association released its “Transit Wrapped 2024” report, listing the transit agencies with the largest ridership increases this year. The top of the list included the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Seattle’s King County Metro, and San Francisco Muni. Source: APTA/Instagram
Houston METRO has broken ground on its new, 30,000 square-foot Maintenance of Way facility. This key project will enhance efficiency, safety, and reliability across the METRORail system. Source: METRO
And Taylor Swift Era’s concert Tour wrapped in Vancouver, BC. TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn said he couldn’t be more proud of the important role his team played to move tens of thousands of concertgoers safely and efficiently, while having fun along the way.” Source: Kevin Quinn/LinkedIn
Make sure you tune in every Monday for your fresh dose of transit news from Julie Gates.
Watch or listen for all the details.
