In our final episode of the season, we talk to Kevin Chambers of Full Path Technology about the challenges transit agencies can face in generating buy-in with their staff on new technology investments. A successful tech deployment requires a fully engaged staff, so listen in!

Yes, we're talking about AI - artificial intelligence! This technology could play a variety of roles in transit. In this episode, we talk to Kyle Shannon, lecturer in the Cognitive Science Department and Data Science Institute at UC San Diego, and the Director of Data Science at the Volunteer Transportation Center in New York State. We discuss where AI can play a role in supporting transit agencies, as well as where it's overhyped and its potential pitfalls.

In this episode we talk with Scott Chancey from Josephine County Transit in Grants Pass, Oregon, about the path to electrifying a rural transit fleet in his mountainous region. Scott shares many lessons learned, and what other rural transit managers should consider if they'd like to go electric, too.

Erich and Andrew talk to Geoff Coates and Patrick Urbine of Blue Krewe, the nonprofit operator of Blue Bikes Nola. Geoff and Patrick show us how their community-driven, nonprofit model of bikeshare supports economic development and increases the use of transit infrastructure throughout New Orleans.

Last year, the Heart of Iowa Regional Transit Agency (HIRTA) launched a new on-demand transit service across 7 counties of rural Iowa. This is an exciting development since many rural communities lack on-demand transportation options; instead many people who use transit services in similar communities need to book their trips well in advance. Changes like this are exciting opportunities to make mobility even more accessible to rural residents. Julia Castillo, HIRTA’s Executive Director, and Brooke Ramsey, HIRTA’s Business Manager talk to us about this latest effort among their endless numbers of innovative programs.

Season three is coming soon! We're excited to share more transit tech with you this summer

Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority, also known as Wave Transit operates public transportation in Wilmington, North Carolina. They operated 15 fixed-routes, a university shuttle, a downtown trolley and most recently…a microtransit service! RideMICRO, an on-demand service was launched in October 2021 to connect residents of Brunswick, Pender, and New Hanover counties to Wave Transit’s fixed-route service. This zone-based service serves as a first/last mile solution to connect the rural areas around Wilmington to the urban core. Listen in to this episode to hear more about how Wave Transit has connected communities in the Wilmington area!

Neighborhood Transportation Service is a curb-to-curb van service that provides an affordable transportation option for Cedar Rapids residents when fixed-route service is not available. NTS was established in the 1990’s to ensure that 2nd and 3rd shift workers could have a safe, affordable ride to and from work. Prior to 2021, NTS was using paper based scheduling for their rides, but transitioned to the microtransit platform Via. Their service has seen substantial growth since the implementation of the software, as well as increased coordination with neighboring transit agencies.

Winter is coming – and so is the Low and No Emission grant application period! In this episode, Marcela and Andrew interview Carrie Butler, Executive Director of the Transit Authority of River City (TARC) and Geoffrey Hobin, Director of Grants & Capital Programs at TARC about their growing electric bus fleet. Their fleet currently has 15 all-electric vehicles in its fleet. As past recipients of the Low-No grant, we chat on how to make your case for funding, as well as details on their electric vehicle deployment.

In another crossover episode with the host of the National Center for Mobility Management's podcast, Mobility Lines. Andrew, Kevin and Marcela discuss recent news in transit technology - including tech-enabled mobility for all pilots, the evolution of MaaS, and transit fleet electrification.