Transportopia: Public Transport Stories & Ideas
A new podcast and blog about public transportation trends, ideas, challenges and the future hosted by public transit veteran and former broadcast journalist Rick L'Amie. Visit the blog at transportopia.org.
Episodes
The 2026 World Cup unexpectedly boosted public transit in U.S. host cities, producing record ridership for systems such as Sound Transit and BART after federal grants funded extra service.
Despite this success, proposed federal funding cuts threaten to reverse gains, leaving uncertainty about whether the ridership spike will persist once tournament-related service and attention fade.
A forward-thinking 16-year-old named Kenyen Coleman founded something called The Drive Time Movement - an impressive effort to use data to push for better public transit and community change. His website offers calculators and a free advocacy toolkit that make commute time, true car costs, and environmental impact personal and actionable.
This episode follows Kenyen’s journey, the tools he built, and what he hopes for the fut...
The Transportopia News and Views Bonus episode between full shows examines four major transit stories: a record-breaking ridership surge during the 2026 World Cup across U.S. host cities; Brightline’s narrow escape from missed payments as it wrestles with $5.5 billion in debt; the near-certainty that the 21st Century Road to Housing Act will become law, linking zoning and transit planning; and a public feud between Amtrak and...
This encore episode of Transportopia features Professor Anastasia Lukaitou‑Sideris discussing transit safety after a high‑profile incident in Charlotte. The conversation with Host Rick L'Amie focuses on how design, lighting, visibility, targeted staffing, technology, and community partnerships can reduce both crime and the fear of crime for riders and operators.
Professor Lukaitou‑Sideris highlights practical steps agencies can tak...
The World Cup drove unprecedented transit ridership across U.S. host cities, while New York unveiled an $8 billion redesign for Penn Station that mixes grandeur with controversy. Meanwhile, a proposed federal bill could cut transit funding just as Bogota launches its long-awaited metro, highlighting the stakes for transit investment and political will.
Transportopia News and Views with Rick L'Amie - our bonus episode between full e...
This episode of Transportopia explores Imagry's camera-and-AI autonomous bus system and its focus on solving the global shortage of bus drivers and improving public transit. The Israeli-based tech startup with offices in San Jose, CA will soon launch its first US autonomous bus deployments in Florida and Nevada.
Host Rick L'Amie interviews Imagry CEO Eran Ofir about mapless, on-board autonomy, safety testing, real-world deployments...
In this bonus News and Views episode, Rick L'Amie breaks down four major transit stories: the historic groundbreaking for Phase 2 of the 2nd Avenue Subway in East Harlem, Illinois’ creation of a powerful new regional transit authority, Brightline’s looming bankruptcy, and Sonoma-Marin voters extending rail funding for SMART.
Taken together these stories show how public, private, and local choices are shaping the future ...
Transportopia host Rick L'Amie rides the G and 7 with his daughter Lauren as she describes life as a longtime New York City transit rider. They discuss the quirky G train jog, seasonal shutdowns, and the city’s 24-hour subway that makes car-free living possible.
Lauren reflects on moving from Austin, selling her car, and how transit shapes daily life — from schlepping furniture on the train to mourning the MetroCard as ...
This episode of Transportopia News and Views breaks down the biggest surface transportation bill in years, New York’s congestion pricing first-year results, California’s controversial 140 mph bullet-bus study, and the winners of the 2026 International Bus Roadeo in Salt Lake City.
Host Rick L’Amie connects policy headlines with real-world practice, highlighting how funding, results, speed, and the people who run t...
In this episode of Transportopia, Rick L'Amie dives into transit fandom—from viral personalities like Francis Bourgeois and creators like Miles in Transit to virtual communities on Roblox, simulation games like Mini Metro and Subway Builder, and transit-inspired art and collectibles.
He explores how these hobbies create emotional connections to cities, transform transit into visual culture and community, and show how movement...
In this episode of Transportopia News and Views we cover three major transport moves: Los Angeles opened new Purple Line subway stations under Wilshire Boulevard, New York City redesigned the Manhattan approach to the Brooklyn Bridge to separate cyclists and pedestrians and announced plans for a 10-mile bike boulevard in Brooklyn, and Denver advanced plans for bus rapid transit on Colorado Boulevard.
This Encore episode of Transportopia features Aaron Weinstein, founder of Transit CX, in a conversation about transforming public transit through customer experience. They define CX in the transit context and explore the full door-to-door rider journey, from trip planning and first-mile access to on-board comfort, accessibility, and post-trip interactions.
Aaron and host Rick L'Amie discuss tools like journey mapping, qualitative r...
This episode of Transportopia News and Views covers four key transit stories: the federal government releasing nearly $60 million for New York's 2nd Avenue subway extension, MARTA launching its Rapid A-Line BRT in Atlanta, Mayor Zoran Mamdani postponing full implementation of his Fast and Free Buses pledge due to budget constraints, and Sacramento Regional Transit studying a redevelopment of a park-and-ride into a mixed-use, transi...
Paul Comfort reflects on building Transit Unplugged—how a lifelong love of communication and decades in transit led to 400 episodes, global visits, and a mission to let transit leaders tell their stories beyond crisis headlines. He shares lessons on customer-first service, technology’s role in ridership, and surprising systems from Singapore to Salt Lake City.
Bonus episode - a bi-weekly wrap up of major or interesting public transportation news over the past week with Transportopia host Rick L'Amie. This week's lead story - major federal transportation funding budget cuts.
In this episode, Transportopia Podcast host Rick L'Amie visits with fellow transit nerd David Schneider of Transit Oriented Discoveries to discuss the development of his National Transit Station Atlas and his competition to determine the loneliest transit station in America. Explore the intriguing reasons behind its recognition and the broader implications for transportation and community planning. Learn more about the Atlas at www...
A brief look at some of the top stories recent stories in public transportation. This is an abbreviated edition this week due to Rick's travel schedule.
This bi-weekly bonus news and views episode explores the upcoming federal transit funding debate, the impact of remote work on ridership, innovative uses of AI in transit maintenance, and celebrates transit employees. Speaking of AI. Like our Transit Employee Appreciation Day custom song? You can listen here on our YouTube Channel.
Key Topics:
- Federal transit funding debate
- Impact of remote work on rid...
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