How Transit CEOs Are Tackling Safety, Growth, and Leadership — Live from ThinkTransit

This week on Transit Unplugged, we take you live to Boston for a special CEO Roundtable recorded at the ThinkTransit Conference—featuring four of the most influential leaders in public transportation today.

Host Paul Comfort sits down with:

• Jay Fox — Executive Director, Utah Transit Authority
• Nora Leerhsen — Acting President, Chicago Transit Authority
• Richard A. Davey — CEO, Massport (former MBTA & NYC Transit leader)
• Harry Wilson — Chair & CEO, MV Transportation

Recorded in front of a live audience of transit professionals, this candid conversation explores what it really takes to lead large-scale transit systems in 2026.

From law and finance to teaching and federal service, each CEO shares the unconventional journey that led them to the top—and what they learned along the way.

Running a major transit system isn’t just operations—it’s politics, people, culture, and constant decision-making at scale.

A powerful, nuanced discussion on safety—from frontline presence and policing to the deeper issues of mental health and homelessness shaping the conversation today.

Why high-performing teams—not individuals—drive results, and how agencies are building cultures of continuous improvement.

• Airport-to-terminal security via transit (Massport innovation)
• System-wide culture transformation and teamwork (MV Transportation)
• Continuous improvement at scale (UTA)
• Reframing public perception through storytelling and pride (CTA)

• Transit is more than transportation—it reflects society itself.
• Safety requires more than enforcement—it demands strategy, presence, and partnership.
• Great agencies are built on culture, not just operations.
• Leaders must balance vision with execution—every single day.

This is a rare, unfiltered look inside the minds of transit CEOs—how they think, how they lead, and how they’re navigating one of the most complex and essential industries in the world.

Whether you're an operator, policymaker, or future leader, this episode offers a masterclass in modern transit leadership.

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.

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.

Paul Comfort talks with Patrick Preusser, Chief Operating Officer of Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD), to unpack the reality of delivering transit service across one of the largest and most complex systems in the U.S.

Serving over 3 million people across 2,000+ square miles, RTD operates a multimodal network of bus, light rail, commuter rail, paratransit, and emerging microtransit services—all coordinated under a $1.3 billion operation.

As part of our “The Doers” series, this conversation focuses on the leaders responsible for turning strategy into service—and Patrick offers a rare, inside look at what that really means.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

What a Chief Operating Officer actually does in a major transit agency

How RTD manages daily service for 135,000+ riders

The key KPIs driving performance—from on-time service to cost efficiency

Why Denver embraced frequent regional rail before it became industry standard

How transit agencies are adapting to new ridership patterns post-pandemic

The role of technology, safety, and data dashboards in modern operations

What’s ahead for Denver, including BRT expansion, rail reconstruction, and major development projects

A system built for scale—and the future

From direct rail service to Denver International Airport to major upcoming investments like the East Colfax BRT line, RTD is positioning itself for long-term growth in one of America’s fastest-evolving regions.

Patrick also reflects on his journey through the industry—from starting as a transit user in Chicago to leading operations in Denver—and what it means to be one of the “doers” responsible for delivering service where it matters most: on the street.

Listen now to learn how transit strategy becomes real-world service.

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.

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.

This week on Transit Unplugged, we continue our “The Doers” series—highlighting the transit leaders who are not just setting strategy, but delivering results on the ground.

Paul Comfort sits down with Shofi Ull Azum, Chief Planning and Development Officer at Cherriots in Salem, Oregon—a mid-size agency achieving something few systems have managed: ridership that exceeds pre-pandemic levels by more than 12%.

Shofi shares a tactical, inside look at how his team is turning planning, innovation, and partnerships into measurable growth—and what other agencies can learn from their approach.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

What actually drives ridership growth

Why adding weekend and evening service unlocked new demand

How aligning service with real community needs—not assumptions—changes outcomes

The role of fare policy, frequency, and accessibility in rebuilding ridership

The power of targeted programs

How a youth zero-fare program now drives up to 25–30% of ridership

Why investing in younger riders is really about building long-term transit culture

How partnerships with schools and state funding made it possible

Reliability as the foundation

Why on-time performance is the baseline for trust

How Cherriots improved performance to 88% on-time—above their target

The operational fixes that made the biggest difference (including reducing early departures)

Using technology to modernize the rider experience

Real-time tracking and GTFS-RT deployment

Traffic signal priority to improve reliability on high-ridership corridors

The importance of clean, accurate data for smarter planning decisions

Building a multimodal future

Why transit agencies need to evolve beyond fixed routes

How microtransit, bike share, and partnerships with TNCs fit into the system

The goal: becoming a true regional mobility integrator

Key Takeaway

Ridership growth isn’t accidental—it’s the result of intentional service design, strong partnerships, and a relentless focus on reliability and access.

As Shofi puts it, success comes from giving people real options—and building a system that fits how they actually live and move today.

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.

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.