Transit Unplugged Podcast Launches Landmark 10th Season with Five of the World's Most Influential Transit Leaders

Transit Unplugged, the leading podcast dedicated to public transportation, is celebrating its tenth season with one of its most ambitious episodes yet: a special CEO Roundtable featuring five of the world’s most influential transit leaders.

Recorded live at the American Public Transportation Association’s 2026 TRANSform Conference & Expo in Chicago, the conversation brings together executives overseeing major transit networks that move millions of passengers every day.

Hosted by Transit Unplugged creator Paul Comfort, the special episode features:

• Demetrius Crichlow, President, New York City Transit (MTA)
• Nora Leerhsen, Acting President, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)
• Andy Lord, Commissioner, Transport for London (TfL)
• Scott Sauer, General Manager, SEPTA
• Stephanie Wiggins, CEO, LA Metro

The event also features opening perspectives from Mohamed Mezghani, Secretary General of UITP, and Bill Delaney, CEO of Modaxo.

“It’s not often you have the opportunity to hear five leaders of major transit systems share their experiences and ideas in one conversation," said Julie Gates, Executive Producer of Transit Unplugged Podcast. "What made this gathering so valuable wasn’t simply who was on stage, but the opportunity to explore the challenges and opportunities we share across cities and continents. That’s what we hope to contribute through Transit Unplugged: meaningful conversations that connect people, spark ideas, and help move our industry forward.”

Five Cities. One Conversation. A Defining Moment for Transit.

From artificial intelligence and the future of transit funding to safety, reliability, and customer experience, the roundtable explores the opportunities and challenges reshaping public transportation.

The executives share perspectives from their respective cities: Los Angeles is preparing for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games; Philadelphia is advocating for sustainable transit investment; Chicago is navigating regional transit transformation; London is modernizing its network; and New York City is rethinking bus service performance.

The conversation also explores the personal journeys and leadership philosophies behind these major transit organizations.

“This was Woodstock for transit,” said Chris O’Keeffe, Producer of Transit Unplugged Podcast. “Five of the biggest names in public transportation, together on one stage, talking candidly about the future of an industry that touches billions of lives. You could feel the energy in the room. It was an extraordinary moment to capture, and exactly the kind of event that reminds us why we do this.”

Ten Seasons In, and Just Getting Started

Since launching in 2017, Transit Unplugged Podcast has connected audiences with the leaders, innovators, and visionaries shaping public transportation around the world.

Now entering its tenth season, the show is expanding its editorial ambitions, embracing video, and finding new ways to bring audiences closer to the people and decisions defining the future of mobility.

“Ten seasons in, and we’re just getting started,” said Paul Comfort, Creator, Producer, and Host. “Our audience is growing, our reach is greater than ever, and we’re finding new ways to bring the stories of public transportation to people around the world. We’re expanding beyond audio, embracing video, and giving our audience unprecedented access to the people making the decisions that shape how we move. That’s always been the magic of Transit Unplugged, and we’re taking it to an entirely new level.”

The Season 10 premiere launched Tuesday, November 10, 2026.