Leadership transitions are inevitable, but successful ones are far from guaranteed. In this special on-location episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort visits Delaware Transit Corporation (DART First State) to explore a rare example of intentional succession in action.

Outgoing CEO John Sisson reflects on a 32-year career and the legacy he leaves after more than a decade leading one of America's most unique statewide transit systems. Joining him is incoming CEO Lilia Montoya, who arrives from California for her first CEO role and benefits from something few leaders receive: a month of overlap with the person she's succeeding.

Together, they discuss why succession planning matters, how organizations can preserve institutional knowledge while embracing fresh ideas, and why leadership isn't only about how you serve—it's also about how you leave.

For outgoing leaders, this episode offers lessons in stewardship, trust, and preparing the next generation. For incoming leaders, it provides insight into building relationships, honoring a legacy, and establishing a vision for the future.

Along the way, Paul explores Delaware's integrated statewide transit model, seasonal beach service, paratransit and microtransit innovations, and the close collaboration between DART First State and DelDOT that makes the agency one of the most distinctive in North America.

In this episode:

• Why intentional succession is part of leadership
• John Sisson's reflections on a 32-year transit career
• Lilia Montoya's journey to her first CEO role
• The value of leadership overlap and knowledge transfer
• Balancing continuity with new ideas
• Lessons for both incoming and outgoing executives
• Delaware's statewide approach to transit
• Beach service, paratransit, and microtransit innovations
• How DelDOT and DART First State work together to deliver mobility
• Why leadership legacies are measured not only by what leaders build, but by what they leave behind

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.

Access to healthcare doesn't start at the doctor's office—it starts with transportation.

In this episode of Transit Unplugged, 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.

The conversation examines how NEMT has evolved over the past two decades, from paper manifests and phone-based eligibility checks to sophisticated platforms powered by GPS tracking, mobile apps, APIs, and virtual agents. Steven also shares how CTS partners with transit agencies such as SEPTA and coordinates with ADA paratransit providers to create more efficient, cost-effective transportation networks.

Paul and Steven discuss:

• What NEMT is and why it matters The relationship between healthcare access and transportation
• How transportation brokers coordinate rides across multiple modes
• Partnerships between NEMT providers and public transit agencies
• The role of ADA paratransit in medical transportation
• Technology's impact on trip scheduling, eligibility, and customer service
• Economies of scale in statewide and regional transportation programs
• The future of autonomous vehicles and telehealth in NEMT
• Why breaking down transportation silos is essential for better health outcomes

Whether you work in transit, healthcare, mobility management, or public policy, this episode offers valuable insights into one of the most important—and often overlooked—segments of the transportation industry.

Credits

Host and Producer: Paul Comfort

Executive Producer: Julie Gates

Producer: Chris O’Keeffe

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.

Former Federal Transit Administration Administrator Marc Molinaro joins Paul Comfort for an in-depth conversation about federal transit policy, funding, and the future of public transportation.

Drawing on his experience as both a member of Congress and the leader of the FTA, Molinaro offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the agency operates, what transit agencies should understand about federal grants, and why building consensus in Washington is often more complicated than it appears.

The discussion explores the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee's recently approved surface transportation reauthorization proposal, evolving federal priorities around safety, security, accessibility, and project delivery, and the growing role of bus rapid transit in connecting urban, suburban, and rural communities.

Whether you're a transit executive, policymaker, or industry observer, this episode provides valuable insight into how federal decisions shape local transit systems across North America.

• What the FTA actually does day-to-day
• How federal transit grants are evaluated and managed
• Lessons learned from leading the FTA
• The future of surface transportation reauthorization
• Safety, security, and accessibility priorities
• Bus Rapid Transit vs. Light Rail investment trends
• Why transit legislation advances through "evolution, not revolution"
• What transit leaders often misunderstand about Washington

Credits

Host and Producer: Paul Comfort

Executive Producer: Julie Gates

Producer: Chris O’Keeffe

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.