Advertise on podcast: METROspectives

In this edition of METROspectives, METRO Magazine'sExecutive Editor Alex Roman sits down with John Maglio, founder and CEO of ETA, a provider of transit technology solutions, to explore the evolution of the industry and the challenges agencies face when adopting and managing new systems. Maglio brings experience in developing transit technology,including computer-aided dispatch and automatic vehicle location (CAD/AVL) systems. His perspective emphasizes reliable technology, understanding agency needs, and building long-term relationships rather than focusing solely on individual software features. As agencies navigate changing passenger expectations,growing operational data, and new opportunities in artificial intelligence, the discussion explores how technology providers can help transit organizations make more informed decisions and improve service delivery. The conversation provides an opportunity to examine howtransit agencies and technology providers can work together to develop practical solutions that support employees, improve operations, and deliver a better experience for riders. Make sure you're signed up for the METRO Expressnewsletter, so you don't miss another METROspectives. Sign up for the METROExpress newsletter. Follow and connect with METRO Magazine on social media! Connect with METRO on LinkedIn. Like METRO on Facebook.

In this episode of METROspectives, Dr. Carol Parker Walshdiscusses the leadership and workforce challenges facing transit organizations and what agencies can do to build stronger, more resilient teams. Drawing on her work helping organizations develop leadersand strengthen workplace culture, Parker Walsh explores why moving strong frontline employees into management roles does not always translate into leadership success and how agencies can better prepare employees for those transitions. She also examines what drives long-term retention, the importance of trust in labor-management relationships, and how leaders can guide employees through uncertainty and technological change. Topics Include: Why successful frontline employees need preparation andsupport when transitioning into leadership roles.How workplace culture, trust, and leadership practicesinfluence employee retention and long-term careers in transit.How leaders can adapt to a “B.A.N.I.” environment — brittle,anxious, nonlinear, and incomprehensible — while building more resilient teams.How transit leaders can approach AI and automation whileaddressing workforce concerns and preparing employees for change.Make sure you're signed up for the METRO Expressnewsletter, so you don't miss another METROspectives. Sign up for the METROExpress newsletter.

Transit electrification continues to evolve as agenciesbalance ambitious sustainability goals with the realities of fleet operations, infrastructure, technology selection, and long-term reliability. As agencies are at different points in that transition, finding solutions that adapt to individual operating needs has become increasingly important. In this edition of METROspectives, METRO sits downwith John Hroncich, Director of North American Transit Sales for BAE Systems, to discuss the company’s approach to transit electrification and how decades of real-world operating experience are informing its next generation of technology. Make sure you're signed up for theMETRO Express newsletter, so you don't miss another METROspectives. Sign up for the METROExpress newsletter. Follow and connect with METROMagazine on social media! Connect with METRO on LinkedIn. Like METRO on Facebook.

In this episode of Bus Tech Talk, Complete Coach Works’ Business Development Manager Mark Hollenbeck and METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman sit down with Obed Mejia, Senior Technical Trainer for Bus Maintenance, at LA Metro to discuss how rapidly evolving bus technology is changing the maintenance shop — and the skills technicians need to keep pace. Mejia shares how LA Metro approaches technical training, theimportance of giving technicians hands-on experience with new technologies, and how collaboration through the California Transit Training Consortium is helpingstrengthen workforce development across the industry. The conversation also explores fleet replacement strategies, maximizing the performance and useful life of existing vehicles, and preparing maintenance teams for what comes next. Make sure you're signed up for theMETRO Express newsletter, so you don't miss another METROspectives. Sign up for the METROExpress newsletter. Follow and connect with METROMagazine on social media! Connect with METRO on LinkedIn. Like METRO on Facebook.

In this episode of METROspectives, METRO’s Executive EditorAlex Roman sits down with Brian Dickson, founder of Bus Business Consultants and Ground Transportation Insights (GTI), to discuss what it takes to build a stronger, more resilient transportation organization. Drawing on his experience as an operator, executive,consultant, and industry observer, Dickson shares the leadership lessons that continue to shape his work and explains why the healthiest organizations don't simply react to challenges — they intentionally create options for the future. Make sure you're signed up for theMETRO Express newsletter, so you don't miss another METROspectives. Sign up for the METROExpress newsletter. Follow and connect with METROMagazine on social media! Connect with METRO on LinkedIn. Like METRO on Facebook. Follow METRO on Twitter.

Paratransit is undergoing rapid change. Rising demand,workforce shortages, tighter budgets, and higher customer expectations are pushing agencies and service providers to rethink how they manage operations. At the same time, advances in artificial intelligence and automation are creating new opportunities to improve efficiency without sacrificing service quality. In this edition of METROspectives, METRO Magazine’sExecutive Editor Alex Roman spoke with John Hanlon, CEO and co-founder of AlphaRoute, about the evolving role of technology in demand-response transportation. Hanlon discusses how AI-powered tools are helping agenciesoptimize operations, support frontline staff, and enhance the rider experience as they prepare for the future of mobility. Make sure you're signed up for the METRO Expressnewsletter, so you don't miss another METROspectives. Sign up for the METROExpress newsletter. Follow and connect with METRO Magazine on social media! Connect with METRO on LinkedIn. Like METRO on Facebook.

In this episode of METROspectives, Steve Lassey, CEO of strada360, joins METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman to discuss how agencies can bridge the gap between long-term transit planning and day-to-day operational realities. Drawing on the firm's experience across both the public andprivate sectors, Lassey shares insights on adapting service to changing travel patterns, using data to make better decisions, and building stronger community support for transportation investments. Key discussion points: ·        How experience in both the public and privatesectors helps uncover innovative solutions and partnerships for transitagencies. ·        Strategies for aligning long-range transit planswith operational realities and evolving rider demand. ·        The role of data, digital tools, and technologyin improving planning, project delivery, and decision-making. ·        Trends shaping the future of transit, includingfunding, project delivery, and public engagement over the next decade. Make sure you're signed up for the METRO Expressnewsletter, so you don't miss another METROspectives. Sign up for the METROExpress newsletter. Follow and connect with METRO Magazine on social media! Connect with METRO on LinkedIn. Like METRO on Facebook. Follow METRO on Twitter.

For decades, Luminator Technology Group has been known as a leader in passenger information systems and transit technology. But as public transportation evolves, so does the company. In this episode of METROspectives, METRO Magazine’s Executive Editor Alex Roman sits down with Magnus Friberg, CEO of Luminator Technology Group, to discuss the company's transformation from a hardware-focused manufacturer into a technology partner centered on software, data, AI, and connected mobility solutions. Topics discussed include: Why the company is transforming and what makes today's Luminator different.Where the industry is headed and how AI, software, and data are changing agency expectations.What a strong supplier-agency relationship should look like and how Luminator is working to deliver it.Friberg’s vision for Luminator's future and what's next for the transit industry.Make sure you're signed up for the METRO Expressnewsletter, so you don't miss another METROspectives. Sign up for the METROExpress newsletter. Follow and connect with METRO Magazine on social media! Connect with METRO on LinkedIn. Like METRO on Facebook. Follow METRO on Twitter.

As technology continues to reshape the transportation landscape, companies are finding new ways to connect passengers with mobility services while helping operators streamline traditionally fragmented processes. One company working at the intersection of transportation and technology is CharterUP, a marketplace platform that connects organizations with charter bus and group transportation providers across North America. In this edition of METROspectives, Harris joinsMETRO’s Alex Roman to discuss his company’s history, the role of technology and artificial intelligence in modernizing group transportation, evolving customer expectations, and what he sees ahead for mobility providers navigating a rapidly changing marketplace.

In this edition of METROspectives, Joshua Schank, co-authorof New Tricks for Old Bureaucracies: Improving Policy Outcomes in the Public Sector, reflects on the evolution of transportation innovation, lessons learned from helping launch LA Metro’s Office of Extraordinary Innovation (OEI), and how those experiences continue to shape his work today at InfraStrategies and the ACES Mobility Coalition. Drawing from years of experience across the public andprivate sectors, Schank discusses the challenges agencies face when introducing new technologies, navigating political realities, and building momentum for long-term change in the mobility industry. Make sure you're signed up for the METRO Expressnewsletter, so you don't miss another METROspectives. Sign up for the METROExpress newsletter. Follow and connect with METRO Magazine on social media! Connect with METRO on LinkedIn. Like METRO on Facebook. Follow METRO on Twitter.

In this episode of METROspectives, Brian Buchanan, transitprogram management lead at HDR, joins METRO’s Alex Roman to discuss how his role is helping agencies navigate the growing complexity of major capital programs. Drawing on his background, he explains how program management has evolved into a strategic function as projects grow larger, become more interconnected, and are subject to greater scrutiny. Buchanan highlights the biggest challenges facing transitagencies today, including supply chain volatility, cost escalation, and workforce constraints, and shares how HDR is adapting its approach to help clients stay flexible and manage risk more proactively. Topics include: ·      How Buchanan’s public experience informs hisprivate sector position. ·     Issues facing large complex projects. ·      Working with key stakeholders to find success. ·        What the future of project management may hold. Make sure you're signed up for the METRO Expressnewsletter, so you don't miss another METROspectives. Sign up for the METROExpress newsletter. Follow and connect with METRO Magazine on social media! Connect with METRO on LinkedIn. Like METRO on Facebook. Follow METRO on Twitter.

In this episode of Bus Tech Talk, Co-Hosts Mark Hollenbeck, business development manager at Complete Coach Works, and Alex Roman, Executive Editor at METRO, are joined by Cecil Blandon, director of maintenance at AC Transit in Oakland, California. Our conversation was so in-depth that we’ve split it into two parts. In Part 2, Blandon discusses his agency’s training programand the challenges of working with various types of vehicles and propulsion systems, the importance of collaboration, and more. Topics include: ·        Working with various types ofvehicles/propulsion systems. ·        Training his maintenance team, including the useof augmented reality. ·        Providing employees opportunities for growth. ·        The importance of industry collaboration.

In this episode of Bus Tech Talk, Co-Hosts Mark Hollenbeck, business development manager at Complete Coach Works, and Alex Roman, Executive Editor at METRO, are joined by Cecil Blandon, director of maintenance at AC Transit in Oakland, California. Our conversation was so in-depth that we’ve split it into two parts. In Part 1, Blandon shares his journey from the U.S. Marinesto a leadership role in public transit, along with insights on mentorship and professional growth within the industry. Stay tuned for Part 2, which will take a deeper dive into AC Transit’s world-class maintenance program, including its approach to technology, innovation, and the operational excellence. Topics include: ·        Growing up with a wrench in his hand. ·        From the military to the public transitindustry. ·        Mentoring and apprenticeship programs. ·        Training and opportunities at AC Transit Make sure you're signed up for the METRO Express newsletter, so you don't miss another METROspectives.   Sign up for the METROExpress newsletter.   Follow and connect with METRO Magazine on social media! Connect with METRO on LinkedIn. Like METRO on Facebook. Follow METRO on Twitter.

On the latest episode of METROspectives, leaders from The Bus Coalition (TBC) sat down with Executive Editor Alex Roman to discuss the organization’s evolving role in shaping federal transit policy and advocating for stronger investment in bus systems nationwide. With surface transportationreauthorization approaching, the coalition is focused on ensuring that bus and bus facility programs remain a central priority in Washington. In this conversation, TBC’s Executive Director Ed Redfern,President Corey Aldridge, and Washington Representative Joel Rubin outline the coalition’s key policy priorities, the challenges facing transit agencies, and how industry stakeholders can work together to strengthen the voice of bus transit at the federal level. Topics include: ·       How TBC’s priorities have evolved ·        Issues impacting membership ·        The Surface Transportation Bill outlook ·        How to get involved in advocacy efforts

In this episode of METROspectives, METRO Magazine spoke with Inez Evans-Benson, SVP and deputy transit and rail market leader for WSP in the U.S., about the line between customer experience and customer satisfaction.Drawing on decades of industry experience, Evans-Benson offered insights into the differences between the two, along with tips for better customer engagement and more. Topics include: ·    The differences between customer satisfactionand the customer experience. ·        How to prioritize the customer. ·        Innovating to increase customer satisfaction. ·        How to better engage customers. Make sure you're signed up for the METRO Express newsletter,so you don't miss another METROspectives.   Sign up for the METROExpress newsletter.   Follow and connect with METRO Magazine on social media! Connect with METRO on LinkedIn. Like METRO on Facebook. Follow METRO on Twitter.   Prefer to listen? Check out the METROspectives podcast! Subscribe or Follow METROspectives on: ApplePodcasts Spotify  AmazonMusic  Audible iHeartRadio