Stop Requested

ETA

Stop Requested is a podcast hosted by Christian Londono and Levi McCollum, where they explore all things transit—from public transportation trends and innovations to the daily experiences of riders and transit professionals. Join them for insightful discussions, industry interviews, and a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and successes shaping the future of mobility. Whether you're a transit enthusiast, professional, or curious commuter, Stop Requested is your stop for all things transit!

Play

Open in

30 episodes
weekly
Avg 50 min
English

Episodes 30

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

Yesterday · 31 min
Bonus: Santiago de Chile’s Transit Comeback with Alejandro Schmidt and Freddy Canales (Spanish)
In this bonus episode of Stop Requested, Levi McCollum and Christian Londono talk with Alejandro Schmidt and Freddy Canales from DTPM, Santiago’s public transport authority, and Jose Mostajo from SONDA. Recorded in Spanish at APTA EXPO in Chicago, the conversation traces how Santiago’s transit system has changed since the difficult launch of Transantiago in 2007. Alejandro and Freddy discuss cashless payments, monthly fare caps, and why many riders still prefer a physical fare card. They also talk about fare evasion and how better real-time information could make everyday trips easier.
Tuesday · 41 min
Transit Is More Than KPIs with Nicholas Sofoul
In this episode of Stop Requested, Levi McCollum and Christian Londono talk with Nicholas Sofoul, Executive Director of the North Central Regional Transit District (Blue Bus), about the challenges of providing public transportation across 10,000 square miles of northern New Mexico, where transit often provides the only connection to healthcare, employment, groceries, and other essential services. The conversation explores workforce development, rural rapid transit, zero-emission vehicles, limited cellular connectivity, and coordinating service across tribal communities. Nick also discusses why conventional ridership and efficiency metrics don't always reflect the value of rural transit, and how Blue Bus is working to strengthen its operations while expanding access to the communities it serves.
October 6 · 1 hr 8 min
Why American Transit Declined with Nicholas Dagen Bloom
In this episode of Stop Requested, Levi McCollum and Christian Londono talk with Nicholas Dagen Bloom, professor and chair of the Department of Urban Policy and Planning at Hunter College and author of The Great American Transit Disaster, about how American transit systems declined and why some cities fared better than others. The conversation explores the role of zoning, automobile growth, transit funding, public ownership, and local politics in reshaping transportation across the country. Bloom also challenges the streetcar conspiracy narrative, explains why frequent service and operating funding matter so much, and shares what today’s transit leaders can learn from a century of decisions that still shape their systems.
September 29 · 1 hr 2 min
AI Roundtable, Part 3: From Transit Data to Better Predictions
In the third installment of Stop Requested’s AI Roundtable series, ETA CEO John Maglio joins hosts Levi McCollum and Christian Londono, along with Derrick VanGennep of Voloridge Investment Management, to explore how machine learning can help transit agencies move from understanding what happened to predicting what might happen next. The conversation covers data quality, model validation, uncertainty, and what happens when conditions change or an organization acts on a prediction. The group also explores potential transit applications including ridership, maintenance, on-time performance, and bus bunching, and why agencies looking to use predictive models should start with the decisions they need to make and the data required to support them.
September 21 · 49 min
How AI Is Clearing the Way for Better Transit with Charley Territo
In this episode of Stop Requested, Levi McCollum and Christian Londono talk with Charley Territo, Chief Growth Officer at Hayden AI, about how vision AI is helping transit agencies understand what is happening on the street and why it is affecting service. The conversation explores bus lane and bus stop enforcement, changing driver behavior, improving safety and reliability, and using data to measure the impact of these programs. Charley also discusses applications beyond enforcement, including network intelligence, asset and bus stop monitoring, and how vision AI could give agencies a broader view of the conditions affecting transit performance.
September 14 · 49 min
AI Roundtable, Part 2: Cybersecurity, Trust and AI in Transit
In the second installment of Stop Requested’s AI Roundtable series, ETA CEO John Maglio joins hosts Levi McCollum and Christian Londono, along with Eric Hilton and Zach Vinduska of North Highland, to discuss what AI adoption means for cybersecurity, data privacy, and trust inside transit agencies. The conversation explores new attack surfaces created by AI, practical guardrails for employees, enterprise versus public AI tools, data governance, monitoring and human review, and the risks of “shadow AI” developing outside IT oversight. The group also discusses what agencies should ask technology vendors, how AI can strengthen cybersecurity as well as create new vulnerabilities, and what transit leaders can do now to adopt AI more safely.
September 7 · 54 min
AI Roundtable, Part 1: How Transit Agencies Are Actually Using AI
In this special roundtable episode of Stop Requested, ETA CEO John Maglio joins hosts Levi McCollum and Christian Londono, along with Stephen Kuban, CEO of Kuban Transit Solutions, to compare what they are seeing and hearing about AI across the public transportation industry. The conversation explores how agencies are using AI today, from everyday staff productivity and data analysis to NTD reporting and paratransit operations, and what it will take to move from individual experimentation to organization-wide adoption. The group also discusses AI policy, workforce training, disconnected agency data, predictive operations, and how transit leaders can begin preparing for what comes next.
September 1 · 44 min
Bridging Transit Planning and Operations in Miami-Dade with Linda Morris (Replay)
In this replay of Stop Requested, Levi McCollum and Christian Londono revisit their conversation with Linda Morris, Chief of Service Planning and Scheduling at Miami-Dade County, as part of the Miami-Dade series. Linda oversees service planning across bus, rail, and Metromover in one of the country’s most complex transit environments. The conversation covers launching Metro Express BRT, coordinating service across dozens of municipalities, modernizing scheduling tools, and improving reliability across a large and growing region. Linda also reflects on her time at AC Transit, including major capacity projects and the introduction of double-decker buses, and how those experiences shaped her approach to service planning in South Florida.
August 24 · 57 min
Why It Costs So Much to Build Rail Transit in the USA with Dr. Eric Goldwyn
In this episode of Stop Requested, Levi McCollum and Christian Londono talk with Eric Goldwyn, professor at NYU and director of the Transportation and Land Use program at NYU Marron. Eric shares what the Transit Costs Project has learned by comparing nearly a thousand transit infrastructure projects around the world. The conversation explores why U.S. projects cost more and take longer to build, what cities lose when those costs climb, and how decisions around station design, construction methods, permitting, and project management affect the final price. Eric also discusses why transit agencies need stronger internal expertise, more visibility into costs, and a clearer understanding of the tradeoffs behind major capital projects.
August 18 · 54 min
Balancing the Art and Science of Transit Planning with Brian McCollom
In this episode of Stop Requested, Levi McCollum and Christian Londono talk with Brian McCollom, a transit management consultant with more than 50 years of experience in planning, operations, performance management, and the National Transit Database. Brian shares why good transit planning requires more than technical skill, combining data and standards with judgment, observation, and a clear understanding of the market a service is meant to serve. The conversation explores how planners can make better use of limited resources, what performance audits reveal beyond the headline metrics, and why getting out into the field still matters. Brian also discusses service costing, fare policy, NTD reporting, and the value of learning from operators, maintenance teams, riders, and peers across the industry.
August 10 · 59 min
What It Takes to Lead a Transit Agency with Frank White III
In this episode of Stop Requested, Levi McCollum and Christian Londono talk with Frank White III, former CEO of the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority and founder and managing partner of Praxis Advisors Group. Frank reflects on leading KCATA through workforce shortages, funding pressures, regional coordination, and the return of fares after years of fare-free service. The conversation explores why transit leaders have to get the basics right before pursuing bigger ambitions, how data and transparency can help navigate difficult decisions, and why transit agencies should have a seat at the table in economic development and regional planning. Frank also discusses the realities of the transit CEO role, KCATA’s work in transit-oriented development, and how he is applying those lessons through Praxis Advisors Group.
August 4 · 48 min
Using AI to Plan Better Transit Service with Anthony Trasatti
In this episode of Stop Requested, Levi McCollum and Christian Londono talk with Anthony Trasatti, co-founder and CEO of Ontra Mobility. Anthony shares how his work in operations research and the MARTA Reach pilot led to building an AI-powered platform for transit planning. The conversation explores how agencies can test thousands of network scenarios, uncover unmet demand, and weigh tradeoffs between ridership, coverage, cost, and equity. Anthony also discusses where AI can support planners, why operational constraints still require human judgment, and how better modeling can turn long-range ideas into practical service changes.
July 27 · 45 min
Turning Community Feedback Into Better Transit with Shofi Ull Azum
In this episode of Stop Requested, Levi McCollum and Christian Londono talk with Shofi Ull Azum, Chief Planning and Development Officer at Cherriots in Salem, Oregon. Shofi shares how the agency uses community feedback, rider data, and operational experience to shape service decisions. The conversation explores Cherriots’ ridership growth, 90 percent on-time performance, and plans for microtransit, bike share, and new transit centers. Shofi also discusses why public engagement should not end with a survey, how planning and operations work together, and the importance of showing communities how their input influenced the final plan.
July 20 · 44 min
Making Transit Technology Work for People with Kristin Taylor
In this episode of Stop Requested, I sit down with Kristin Taylor, Senior Director of UX at MBTA and Chief Experience Officer for Transit Ops. We explore the importance of designing transit technology around the full rider journey rather than just focusing on tools. Kristin emphasizes that trip planning is a process that requires accurate data and effective communication across all channels to ensure a smooth experience for riders. We discuss the significance of shared ownership in transit technology, the connection between transit tech and civic tech, and the need for agencies to prioritize user-centric solutions. Join us as we delve into how these insights can transform public transportation for the better.
July 14 · 57 min
Broward’s Vision for Premium Mobility with Coree Cuff Lonergan
In this episode of Stop Requested, Levi McCollum and Christian Londono talk with Coree Cuff Lonergan, CEO and General Manager of Broward County Transit. Coree shares how Broward is building on its bus network through TransitFORWARD 2040 and PREMO, the county’s long-term effort to create a more connected, multimodal transit system. The conversation explores Broward County’s plans for bus rapid transit, commuter rail, light rail, high-frequency bus service, and stronger connections between the airport, seaport, convention center, and surrounding communities. Coree also discusses community engagement, listening sessions, program delivery, eliminating transit deserts, and BCT’s role in supporting regional travel during the World Cup.
July 7 · 50 min
How Miami-Dade Keeps Evolving the Rider Experience with Doug Bermudez
In this episode of Stop Requested, I sit down with Doug Bermudez, Chief of the Easy Card Fare Programs and Customer Experience division at Miami-Dade County Transportation. As we wrap up our Miami-Dade series, Doug shares insights from his journey in public transit, emphasizing the importance of a seamless rider experience. We discuss how technological advancements, such as the Easy Card system, are set to enhance payment methods and accessibility. Doug highlights the upcoming challenges and preparations for events like the FIFA World Cup, focusing on improving customer interactions and communication strategies. Join us as we explore how Doug and his team are innovating transit solutions to meet the needs of Miami's diverse riding community.
June 30 · 49 min
Moving Austin Beyond the Commute with Dottie Watkins
In this episode of Stop Requested, Levi McCollum and Christian Londono talk with Dottie Watkins, President and CEO of CapMetro in Austin, Texas. Dottie began at CapMetro as a part-time bus operator more than three decades ago and now leads the agency through a period of service expansion and long-term investment. The conversation explores how changing travel patterns are reshaping Austin’s transit network, from more local and crosstown service to new Rapid bus routes. Dottie also discusses Transit Plan 2035, Project Connect, supporting frontline employees, and balancing today’s service with the work of building a stronger regional transit system for the future.
June 23 · 45 min
Universal Design and the Future of Paratransit with Jarice Rodriguez
In this episode of Stop Requested, Levi McCollum and Christian Londono talk with Jarice Rodriguez, Chief of Paratransit Operations and Services for Miami-Dade County. As part of the ongoing Miami-Dade series, Jarice shares how her team is rethinking accessibility across one of the nation’s largest ADA paratransit programs. The conversation explores universal design, accessible journeys, and why accessibility must extend beyond the vehicle to every part of a rider’s trip. Jarice also discusses Miami-Dade’s work to modernize paratransit through integrated technology, real-time information, and NaviLens wayfinding tools that can help riders navigate complex transit facilities more independently.
June 16 · 52 min
Turning Transit Performance Metrics into Action with Laura Moeini
In this episode of Stop Requested, Levi McCollum and Christian Londono talk with Laura Moeini, Senior Director of the Performance Analysis Unit in Subways at New York City MTA. Laura shares how her path through consulting, WMATA, and MTA shaped the way she thinks about performance management, data storytelling, and continuous improvement. The conversation explores how agencies can move beyond reporting numbers and use data to drive action. Laura also discusses building useful KPIs, designing dashboards people actually use, connecting metrics to frontline needs, and turning complex transit data into clearer decisions for operations, managers, and executives.
June 9 · 56 min
Matching Transit Service to Real Needs with Hunter Abel
In this episode of Stop Requested, Levi McCollum and Christian Londono talk with Hunter Abel, Project Manager and Transit Lead at Modern Mobility Partners. Hunter shares how his experience at LeeTran, MARTA, and now in consulting has shaped the way he approaches transit planning and project delivery. The conversation explores why plans often stall between planning and implementation, how agencies can define clearer goals, and why public input should focus on how people actually travel rather than which mode looks most appealing. Hunter also discusses data, tradeoffs, post-COVID service changes, and the value consultants can bring when agencies need additional capacity or a fresh perspective.

Showing 1–20 of 30 episodes