Wheel Talk: Navigating the Future of Bay Area Transit
Wheel Talk: Navigating the Future of Bay Area Transit
San Mateo County Transit District
Join Dan Lieberman and Randol White as they explore how transit agencies are working to solve public transportation challenges, improve the rider experience, and build a more connected future..Each Wheel Talk episode features insightful conversations about navigating travel  — whether on foot, by bicycle, SamTrans bus, Caltrain commuter rail, or car. Listen to in-depth interviews with transit experts, agency leaders, planners, and community advocates who share transparent insights into the challenges and opportunities shaping Bay Area mobility.Also, seasonally, check out Hop Off Here — Wheel Talk’s special series on food, festivals, and fun. From taco trucks to music festivals, we’ll help you discover the flavors, celebrations, and hidden delights waiting just beyond your stop. Think of it as your rider’s guide to making the journey as enjoyable as the destination.Whether you’re a daily transit rider, transportation planner, or interested in sustainable, inclusive transportation solutions, Wheel Talk delivers strategic perspectives on the public transit systems that keep the Bay Area connected and moving forward.Subscribe to Wheel Talk to stay informed about the latest developments in Bay Area public transit and regional transportation planning. And don't forget to rate us on your favorite streaming device!
Hop Off Here: Spring hiking by transit, SamTrans getaways, and Caltrain's Destination Downtown
We want to hear from you! Send us a note. Hop Off Here — Spring Adventures by Transit 🚆 Spring is here — and it’s the perfect time to get out and explore the Bay Area by bus and train. In this episode of Hop Off Here, we highlight easy, scenic, and accessible destinations you can reach without a car. 🌿 Hiking by Transit with Evan Tschuy We kick things off with Evan Tschuy, creator of HikingByTransit.com, who shares why combining transit and hiking creates a more flexible — and often more rewa...
Apr 24
20 min
Untangling the 101/92 interchange and what it means for the Peninsula
We want to hear from you! Send us a note. Wheel Talk Podcast Guests (in order of appearance): Jeneane Crawford, Caltrans Distric 4 PIO for San Mateo CountyUS 101 / SR 92 Interchange Short Term Area Improvements ProjectCaltrans QuickmapJessica Manzi, San Mateo County Transportation Authority (TA) Director of Project DeliveryUS 101 / SR 92 Interchange Direct Connector Project Max Mautner, Car-free San Mateo resident19th Avenue and Fashion Island Boulevard Multimodal Improvements Pr...
Feb 20
24 min
Hop Off Here: A Unique Coastal Park, Mexican Traditions, Veterans Day Parades, Holiday Shopping
We want to hear from you! Send us a note. (904) 867-4466 Send us an email: [email protected] Hop Off Here: Your ticket to exploring the Bay Area. Our first stop is on the Coastside to explore Quarry Park in El Granada near Half Moon Bay. This San Mateo County Parks gem offers trails and coastal views. Best of all, SamTrans Ride Plus can take you there with free transfers from routes 117 and 294. Ranger Tommy Hart shares his insights for exploring this activity-packed de...
Oct 29, 2025
26 min
Reimagining a Bay Area highway for the future
We want to hear from you! Send us a note. Wheel Talk Podcast Guests (in order of appearance): Cassie Halls, SamTrans Major Corridors Manager Patrick Gilster, San Mateo County Transportation Authority (TA) Director of Planning and Fund Management Megan Wooley-Ousdahl, South San Francisco Deputy City Manager Jacob (Jake) Buffenbarger, Caltrans System Planning Branch Chief: Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo Counties Mitch Postel, San Mateo County Historical Associat...
Aug 29, 2025
27 min
The Big Sync: Making Bay Area transit transfers seamless
We want to hear from you! Send us a note. Wheel Talk Guests (in order of appearance): Andy Metz, AC Transit Regional Plans Principal Planner Millie Tolleson, SamTrans Director of Planning Ted Burgwyn, Caltrain Director of Rail Network and Operations Planning Adina Levin, Seamless Bay Area Executive Director The Big Sync: How SamTrans Is Teaming Up to Improve Transit Transfers on the Peninsula SamTrans is partnering with other Bay Area transit agencies to better...
Aug 5, 2025
22 min
Learn why hydrogen power is the next big tool for public transit
We want to hear from you! Send us a note. The first hydrogen fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs) to serve public transit customers along the peninsula are now in service, with many more on the way in the weeks, months and years to come. The San Mateo County Transit District, or SamTrans, recently placed an order for 108 additional hydrogen busses, marking the largest order of its kind in North America to date. The move toward hydrogen at Sam trans is symbolic of a major shift in the ...
Feb 18, 2025
16 min
Episode 7: Transit-Oriented Development
We want to hear from you! Send us a note. SamTrans' Director of Real Estate and Property Development, Brian Fitzpatrick, offers insight into the District's land use over the years along with Caltrain's new transit-oriented development policy (or as we loving call it, "Tod") and what it means for the agency's future.
Mar 19, 2020
55 min
Episode 6: The Life Cycle of a SamTrans Bus
We want to hear from you! Send us a note. SamTrans Director of Bus Maintenance Dave Harbour explains what it takes to be a SamTrans bus. We talk about buying new buses and retiring the old, Wi-Fi implementation, the future of SamTrans' electrified fleet and what it takes to keep over 300 buses in working order.
Feb 19, 2020
58 min
Episode 5: Caltrain Maintenance 101 (Part 2)
We want to hear from you! Send us a note. We continue our conversation about Caltrain's maintenance operations and future improvements coming with electrification from a high level perspective with Chief Operating Officer, Michelle Bouchard.
Jan 15, 2020
1 hr 3 min
Episode 4: Caltrain Maintenance 101 (Part 1)
We want to hear from you! Send us a note. Get the scoop on Caltrain’s day-to-day maintenance operations. With electrified service on the horizon and the ever-present challenges of an aging fleet, this month's episode offers insight into the behind-the-scenes work that keeps our trains moving, the state of the railroad and the exciting future ahead with new electric trains.
Dec 18, 2019
52 min
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