Michele Stiehler knows paratransit inside and out. After 35 years at New Jersey Transit, she brought her deep operational experience to Boston’s MBTA, where she now oversees one of the largest and most complex paratransit systems in the country.

In this episode, Paul Comfort talks with Michele about her leadership philosophy, the importance of frontline experience (hint: everyone on her team is expected to ride The RIDE), and how MBTA is investing in staff and technology to build a smarter, more responsive system. From wage increases and morale-building to a future-facing mobility center, Michele is focused on modernizing paratransit—without losing its human heart.

This episode covers:

✅ Leadership lessons from decades in the field

✅ Post-pandemic service recovery and staffing challenges

✅ Technology upgrades and on-demand flexibility

✅ What the future of accessible transportation might look like

Tune in for a grounded, thoughtful conversation about moving people—and an entire industry—forward.

What happens when a millennial with a higher ed background takes the wheel of a legacy transit agency? You get 207 new bus stops, a real-time tracking app, and a fresh vision for Western Kentucky mobility.

In this episode of Transit Unplugged Podcast, Paul Comfort talks with Jeremi Bumpus, Executive Director of Paducah Transit Authority, about leading change in a small but mighty system. Jeremi shares how he transitioned from higher education into transit, what it means for Paducah to move from rural to small urban funding, and how he and his team replaced an outdated “wave your hand” bus system with a structured, tech-enabled network. Topics include:

• Modernizing a hail-based system with 207 fixed bus stops
• Launching a real-time rider app and 24/7 info kiosk
• Balancing new technology with legacy organization culture
• Navigating the shift from state funding to FTA direct funding

If you’re into small agency innovation, smart leadership, or just want to know what goes into transforming transit at the ground level—this one’s a must-listen.

Credits:

Host & Producer: Paul Comfort

Podcast Manager & Newsletter Guy: Chris O'Keeffe

Executive Producer: Julie Gates Special thanks to:

Brand Design: Tina Olagundoye

Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova

Got a question or comment? Email us at info@transitunplugged.com

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In this episode of Transit Unplugged Podcast, Paul Comfort talks with Graeme Legh, the new CEO of Kelsian Group, one of the world’s leading transit and mobility operators. From ferries off the coast of Australia to motorcoach operations across the U.S., Graeme shares how Kelsian is tackling growth, innovation, and sustainability across three continents.

They discuss:

• Lessons from leading major transit companies around the world
• How Kelsian balances local brands with global strategy
• Innovations like electric fleets and multimodal operations
• Why public-private partnerships could define the next era of mobility
• Graeme’s leadership mindset—and why simple, great service always wins

Whether you're an executive, operator, or just curious about how global transit is evolving, this conversation delivers powerful insights.