Episode 50: Public Transportation and Workforce Development

In this episode, we’re joined by Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons to discuss exciting transportation improvements coming to Connecticut’s second-largest city, including enhancing the Stewart B. McKinney Transportation Center, as well as initiatives to boost mobility, sustainability, and economic growth. Discover how Stamford and the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) work together to build a stronger future.

Metro-North’s New Haven Line had a record-breaking year—with an all-time high on-time performance, rising customer satisfaction, and faster travel times! Join us as former Metro-North President Catherine Rinaldi and new President Justin Vonashek share insights on these achievements and what’s next for one of the busiest rail lines in the country. Don’t miss this inside look at the future of rail travel between Connecticut and New York City!

Tune in as we celebrate a decade of CTfastrak! Since its launch in 2015, CTfastrak has provided over 26 million rides and spurred economic growth. Named the best bus rapid transit (BRT) system in the U.S., it continues to set the standard for public transit systems. Join us and guests, Mayor Erin Stewart and Michael Sanders, to reflect on CTfastrak’s impact, milestones, and future. Don’t miss this special anniversary episode!  

Exciting new rail connections are coming soon! Massachusetts’ Compass Rail Plan is set to enhance regional transit, making Springfield the key hub for connections to Worcester and Boston. New stations in Windsor Locks and Enfield, CT, will also provide riders greater access to jobs, education, and leisure travel.  Tune in as we discuss Compass Rail with Meredith Slesinger, MassDOT Rail and Transit Administrator, and learn more about its potential to boost the economies of Hartford and Springfield!

Happy New Year! 2024 was a transformative year for Connecticut transportation. From opening the Stamford parking garage and expanding bus routes to launching microtransit services and celebrating sustainability milestones like the Drive Less Climate Challenge, we’ve made strides in accessibility, equity, and innovation. Join host Ben Limmer as he reflects on these achievements and previews what’s ahead in 2025.

Transit-oriented development (TOD) is a key priority for the Connecticut DOT and is vital to revitalizing and strengthening communities. In this episode, we talk with Meriden Mayor Kevin Scarpati to explore the city’s remarkable transformation sparked by the new CTrail Hartford Line station. We’re also joined by Elise Greenberg, Transit Manager at the Connecticut DOT, who discusses how Meriden’s TOD success story serves as a blueprint for other initiatives across the state.

In this episode, we hear from Dan Baker, CTDOT's Transportation Supervising Planner, who provides updates on the 26 actions from the 2023 Customer Experience Action Plan and introduces three new initiatives to improve bus and rail services. Michael Helta, Maryland Transit's Chief Customer Experience Officer, also joins us and shares how his agency enhances the rider experience. Tune in for valuable insights into public transit innovation and customer-focused improvements.

This episode explores workforce development's vital role in strengthening regional economies by focusing on people rather than individual employers. Join us for a discussion with Carita Ducre from the American Public Transportation Association as we explore the connection between public transportation and its contribution to a robust economy and employment. We also examine how workforce development can improve public transit systems through employee training, development opportunities, and more.

Connecticut's annual Stand Down event, happening Sept. 20th, provides essential services for veterans, National Guard members, Reserve members, and their families. This one-stop resource event offers support from state and federal agencies, nonprofits, and veteran organizations. Retired Brigadier General Ron Welch, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs, and Blake Roberts, CTDOT Transportation Planner, join us to discuss how Stand Down supports those who have served our nation.

In this episode, we examine the Connecticut Department of Transportation's final report of the Greater Hartford Mobility Study. This community-driven initiative was developed to reimagine and reconnect neighborhoods for enhanced mobility throughout Greater Hartford.  Join us as we speak with Kim Lesay, Bureau Chief of Policy and Planning, and Kevin Burnham, Transportation Supervising Engineer at CTDOT, to explore this visionary plan for creating a vibrant, sustainable, and multimodal transportation network.