How can transit agencies give riders more options while still strengthening the core network?

In this special episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort returns to St. Pete/Clearwater for extended conversations originally filmed for Transit Unplugged TV, exploring how transit leaders across Pinellas County, FL are approaching everything from Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and microtransit to ferries, paratransit, and first- and last-mile connections.

Paul talks with Brad Miller, CEO of Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA), about an increasingly multimodal system and the investments shaping its future. He also meets Leon Smiley, PSTA’s most senior bus operator, who reflects on 35 years behind the wheel and the importance of helping people every day.

Darden Rice, Chief Planning and Community Affairs Officer, shares how the all-electric Spark service is connecting growing parts of St. Petersburg and discusses plans to expand waterborne transit across Tampa Bay. Paul also visits the future Clearwater Station, a new downtown hub designed to bring transit, trails, and the surrounding community together.

Then, Bonnie Sato, Director of Mobility Services, explains how services like Grouper and Snapper are filling gaps in the network—and how partnerships with Uber and Lyft have expanded first- and last-mile service and transformed the agency’s approach to paratransit.

Along the way, Whit Blanton of Forward Pinellas discusses the connection between transportation, land use, and regional planning, while Amanda Baird, Director of Communications and Marketing, explains how institutional partnerships are making transit easier to access for students, workers, and visitors.

These conversations were originally filmed for the Transit Unplugged TV St. Pete/Clearwater episode, which has become the series’ most-watched episode on YouTube with more than 1.6 million views.

Listen in for lessons on creating a more flexible, connected transit network—and meeting riders with the right mobility option for the trip they need to make.

In this episode:

- Brad Miller, CEO, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority

- Leon Smiley, Bus Operator, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority

- Darden Rice, Chief Planning and Community Affairs Officer, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority

- Whit Blanton, Executive Director, Forward Pinellas

- Bonnie Sato, Director of Mobility Services, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority

- Amanda Baird, Director of Communications and Marketing, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority

00:00 Summer Specials Intro

00:26 Why Long Form Specials

00:43 Meet Brad Miller

01:45 Touring PSTA Headquarters

01:56 PSTA Overview Tour

02:31 Leon Smiley Spotlight

02:49 35 Years Behind the Wheel

03:08 Routes and Extra Board

03:34 Operator Family Culture

03:48 Favorite Buses and Builds

04:14 Driver Advice Wrap

04:37 Darden Rice Joins

04:52 Spark Electric Premium Line

05:31 How Transit Boards Lead

06:31 Next Up Tampa Bay Ferry

07:12 Podcast Network Break

07:45 Clearwater Station Construction

08:34 Designing a Multimodal Hub

09:13 MPO Role and Funding

10:35 Pinellas Trail Big Amenity

10:55 Grouper and Snapper On Demand

13:57 Uber Lyft Transit Partnership

14:59 Marketing with Amanda Baird

15:23 Spark Connections at Grand Central

15:50 UPASS Free Ride Program

16:46 Wrap Up and Credits

Credits

Host and Producer: Paul Comfort

Executive Producer: Julie Gates

Producer: Chris O’Keeffe

Production Assistant: Desmond Gates

Editor: Patrick Emile

Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin

Brand Design: Tina Olagundoye

Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo, passionate about moving the world’s people.

For more information, visit: www.Transit Unplugged.com

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this presentation, from any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken in response to it.

https://youtu.be/M1PeM6D1ciw

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.

Along the way, host Paul Comfort also takes viewers behind the scenes of the conference itself, exploring networking events, industry receptions, Baltimore's light rail system in action, and the conversations that are defining the future of mobility.

Guests include:

- Paul Skoutelas, President & CEO, American Public Transportation Association (APTA)

- Ray Biggs, Senior Project Director, Maryland Transit Administration's Purple Line

- Joshua Wolf, Administrator, Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) Train

- Michael Dylan Pal, Director of Public Transit, Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority

- Mike Degenaars, General Manager, Rail, Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority

- J. Roger Morton, Director, Honolulu Department of Transportation Services

- Neil Shah, Executive Vice President, Keolis North America

In this episode:

- Why passenger rail investment continues to grow across North America

- The latest progress on Maryland's Purple Line

- MARC Train's expansion plans and record weekend ridership

- Honolulu's driverless Skyline metro and what's next

- California High-Speed Rail's newest operating partnership

- Rail's role in economic development, sustainability, and regional mobility

- Behind-the-scenes access to one of the transit industry's premier conferences

Whether you're a transit executive, planner, policymaker, or simply passionate about mobility, this special episode offers an inside look at where rail is headed next.

Credits

Host and Producer: Paul Comfort

Executive Producer: Julie Gates

Producer: Chris O’Keeffe

Editor: Patrick Emile

Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin

Camera: Cyndi Raskin

Brand Design: Tina Olagundoye

Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo, passionate about moving the world’s people.

For more information, visit: www.Transit Unplugged.com

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this presentation, from any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken in response to it.

In this episode, Frank joins Paul Comfort to discuss what it's really like to move from leading bus operations at one of the world's largest transit agencies to running an entire organization. He shares how Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) is building on a legacy of innovation while tackling today's biggest challenges—from the post-pandemic fiscal cliff to workforce development, transit-oriented development, and expanding mobility options beyond traditional bus service.

Frank also explains why the best solutions often come from the people closest to the work, and how his team balanced the budget while improving efficiency and protecting service.

In this episode, you'll learn:

- What changes when you move from senior operations leadership to the CEO role

- How CDTA addressed its budget challenges after COVID relief funding expired

- Why investing in employees is a top priority

- CDTA's approach to bus rapid transit, microtransit, bikeshare and electric carshare

- The agency's vision for transit-oriented development in New York's Capital Region

- Leadership lessons from following a long-serving, award-winning CEO

- Why empowering frontline teams leads to better organizational decisions

00:00 Welcome to Transit Unplugged

00:20 Introducing Frank Annicaro

01:52 CDTA Service Overview

03:34 Innovative Car Share Program

05:19 Bike Share Success

06:45 Agency Budget and Employees

07:29 Frank's Career Journey

08:52 Board Governance Structure

09:44 Transitioning from MTA

11:06 Leadership Challenges and Growth

13:50 Following a Legacy

17:04 What's Next for CDTA

19:09 Facing Budget Deficits

20:40 The Fiscal Cliff

22:13 Team-Based Problem Solving

23:58 Lightning Round Begins

24:42 Music and Concerts

25:56 Transit Leaders and TOD

26:38 Personal Passions and Advice

28:03 Closing Thoughts

Credits

Host and Producer: Paul Comfort

Executive Producer: Julie Gates

Producer: Chris O’Keeffe

Production Assistant: Desmond Gates

Editor: Patrick Emile

Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin

Brand Design: Tina Olagundoye

Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo, passionate about moving the world’s people.

For more information, visit: www.Transit Unplugged.com

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this presentation, from any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken in response to it.