In this episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort explores a question many transit agencies are asking today: Do operators make the best transit leaders?

Paul’s guest, Michael Dylan Pal, Director of Public Transit for the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) in Buffalo, has lived that journey firsthand.

Pal began his career behind the wheel as a bus operator for New York City Transit, eventually rising through the ranks of the MTA, serving in senior leadership roles across multiple agencies, and later helping lead operations at Valley Metro in Phoenix before returning to New York to oversee transit in the Buffalo–Niagara region.

In this conversation, Pal reflects on how starting on the front lines shaped his leadership philosophy—and why understanding the daily realities of operators can make a real difference when managing a complex transit system.

Today, Pal leads the NFTA Metro system, which provides bus, light rail, and paratransit service to the Buffalo–Niagara region—supporting more than a million residents and carrying roughly 50,000–60,000 riders on a typical weekday.

Paul and Michael discuss:

How Pal’s career started as a bus operator in Brooklyn

What transit leaders can learn from working on the front lines

The transition from Phoenix’s desert system to Buffalo’s winter operations

Major projects underway in Buffalo, including the DL&W Station redevelopment

Plans for the Amherst rail extension

The upcoming Bailey Bus Rapid Transit corridor

Fleet modernization, electric buses, and future propulsion strategies

Pal also shares how Buffalo is experiencing a new wave of investment and growth, and how transit is playing a key role in connecting people to jobs, education, and opportunity across Western New York.

For Pal, the lesson is simple: the best transit leaders never forget what it’s like to serve riders and support operators every day.

Host: Paul Comfort

Executive Producer: Julie Gates

Producer: Chris O’Keeffe

Editor: Patrick Emile

Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin

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.

Welcome to the first part of a series we're calling "The Doers"!

Public safety is one of the most urgent issues facing transit systems today. In this episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort sits down with Kevin Scott, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Security at Bi-State Development / St. Louis Metro Transit, to discuss a bold initiative that is reshaping safety across the region’s light rail network.

Scott explains how St. Louis developed its Secure Platform Plan, a comprehensive strategy that combines infrastructure upgrades, technology, and partnerships with law enforcement to strengthen security on the MetroLink light rail system.

The results are already striking: stations where the program has been implemented have seen a 50% reduction in criminal incidents and a significant increase in ridership.

During the conversation, Scott walks through how the plan evolved from a detailed security assessment that produced 99 recommendations, and how those insights helped guide long-term improvements across the system.

The episode also explores the powerful connection between actual safety improvements and the perception of safety — and why both are critical to attracting riders back to transit.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why St. Louis shifted from an open platform light rail system to secured stations

How gating, fencing, and expanded CCTV coverage are changing security operations

The role of security partnerships with local law enforcement and contracted security teams

Why perception of safety matters just as much as actual incident reduction

How safer stations are helping drive ridership growth across the system

Scott also shares how the agency is upgrading fare collection systems alongside the security infrastructure, creating a modernized transit experience for riders while strengthening enforcement against fare evasion.

As transit agencies nationwide prioritize safety and security, the St. Louis experience offers valuable lessons for systems considering similar investments.

Links

Learn more about the Secure Platform Plan:

https://www.metrostlouis.org

Credits

Host and Producer: Paul Comfort

Executive Producer: Julie Gates

Producer: Chris O’Keeffe

Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin

Editor: Patrick Emile

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.

Credits

Host and Producer: Paul Comfort

Executive Producer: Julie Gates

Producer: Chris O’Keeffe

Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin

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.

In this special milestone episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort celebrates Episode 400 and nearly a decade of conversations with the leaders shaping public transportation around the world.

To kick off the episode, Paul sits down with Mark Miller, President of Constellation Software and Executive Chairman of the Volaris Group. Mark reflects on the early days of the podcast, the thinking behind creating a platform for industry dialogue, and why connecting transit leaders across agencies and continents continues to matter.

The episode also features a 10-year retrospective on the growth of Transit Unplugged, including a behind-the-scenes conversation with producer Chris O’Keeffe about the evolution of podcasting, the expansion into on-location recordings and video, and what it takes to reach the rare milestone of 400 episodes.

Later in the episode, Executive Producer Julie Gates joins Paul for a listener mailbag segment, answering audience questions about favorite episodes, memorable travel moments, and transit systems that continue to inspire innovation.

Over the past decade, Transit Unplugged has featured CEOs, agency leaders, policymakers, and innovators from across the globe—sharing ideas and best practices that help move the industry forward.

As Paul reminds listeners in this episode, public transportation is about far more than vehicles and infrastructure. At its core, transit is about serving people and connecting communities.

Credits

Host and Producer: Paul Comfort

Executive Producer: Julie Gates

Producer: Chris O’Keeffe

Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin

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.