Conversations on Equity and Inclusion in Public Transportation

In Conversations on Equity and Inclusion in Public Transportation, we hear from twenty top public transportation officials from across America and Australia discussing practical steps on how they are improving their services and providing more equity and inclusion both in their agencies and the communities they serve.

In Conversations on Equity and Inclusion in Public Transportation, we hear from twenty top public transportation officials from across America and Australia discussing practical steps on how they are improving their services and providing more equity and inclusion both in their agencies and the communities they serve. The Covid pandemic provided transit agencies an opportunity to reflect on our core mission. Would our agencies and the government entities that fund them continue to be almost solely focused on ridership increases or would they now focus on more fundamental missions such as providing mobility and access to opportunities for all, including traditionally underserved communities? This book explores the new reality where transit agencies are putting the focus back on the rider and improving equity and inclusion for all. It also examines the new move toward zero fares and utilizing micro transit as a safety net. The book shows how public transit is really now about more than just transporting passengers from A to B as it is becoming a vehicle to improve overall society.

Paul Comfort is a transit evangelist and serves as SVP & Chief Customer Officer for Modaxo Americas, one of the world's largest transit technology companies. He is host of the industry leading public transportation podcast, Transit Unplugged and the new YouTube sensation, Transit Unplugged TV show. He also serves as Executive Director of the North American Transit Alliance. Paul has authored two #1 Best-Selling books "The Future of Public Transportation" and the children's picture book "Public Transportation – From the Tom Thumb Railroad to Hyperloop and Beyond". Mr. Comfort is an attorney, popular keynote speaker and the former CEO of one of America's largest transit systems, the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) in Baltimore. He has also served as an elected County Commissioner and County Administrator for two Maryland counties. Mr. Comfort is the past recipient of The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials' (AASHTO) "President's Award".