Episode Details

### Show Notes: Transition to Zero Podcast Episode with Paul Comfort

**Host:** Jared Schnader **Guest:** Paul Comfort, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer at Modaxo, Transit Unplugged Podcast and TV Show Host, Bestselling Author

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**Introduction (00:18 - 01:39)** **Host Introduction:** Jared Schnader, Bus Lead for CalSTART. **Guest Introduction:** Paul Comfort, over 30 years of transit experience, former CEO of Maryland Transit Authority, bestselling author of six books, host of Transit Unplugged podcast and TV show, SVP and Chief Customer Officer at Modaxo.

**Interview Begins (01:39 - 01:42)** **Jared Schnader:** Welcomes Paul Comfort. **Paul Comfort:** Expresses excitement for the conversation.

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**Career Journey and Early Challenges (01:42 - 04:18)** **Jared Schnader:** Asks Paul how he got into transit. **Paul Comfort:** Shares his story of starting in local government after a failed run for county commissioner, taking a low-paying job as a transportation coordinator, and developing a passion for public transportation. Discusses financial struggles early in his career, emphasizing the importance and underappreciation of public sector work.

**Current Excitement in Transit (04:18 - 05:57)** **Jared Schnader:** Asks what excites Paul about transit today. **Paul Comfort:** Highlights the rapid technological advancements in public mobility, such as AI and autonomous vehicles, and the personal fulfillment he gets from helping improve people's lives through public transit.

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**Zero Emission Technologies and Industry Challenges (05:57 - 09:20)** **Jared Schnader:** Focuses on zero-emission technologies in transit and asks Paul what he sees happening in this space. **Paul Comfort:** Notes the global trend towards lower emissions and zero-emission buses, mentions political and practical efforts to adopt cleaner fuels, and highlights challenges such as the collapse of the American OEM industry affecting bus availability.

**Impact of OEM Industry Collapse (08:42 - 09:20)** **Jared Schnader:** Inquires about the impact of OEM industry issues on transit agencies. **Paul Comfort:** Describes agencies borrowing buses and struggling to find parts, highlighting a critical issue in the transit sector.

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**Technological and International Innovations (10:23 - 12:52)** **Jared Schnader:** Asks about interesting international or domestic innovations Paul has seen. **Paul Comfort:** Points to high-speed rail and advanced battery technologies as significant innovations. Discusses the challenges and potential of high-speed rail in the U.S. and the promise of new battery technologies.

**Hydrogen and Future Technologies (12:52 - 13:45)** **Jared Schnader:** Discusses the potential of hydrogen fuel technology. **Paul Comfort:** Expresses optimism about hydrogen hubs and supports a diversified approach to transitioning to greener technologies.

**Experiences with International Transit Systems and Potential U.S. Changes (13:45 - 16:21)** **Jared Schnader:** Raises concerns about workforce training for emerging technologies and potential knowledge gaps. **Paul Comfort:** Emphasizes the importance of effective leadership and structured training programs in adapting to new technologies, sharing his own experiences in improving training at various agencies. Discusses efficient transit systems in Europe and the need for policy changes to encourage better transit systems in the U.S.

**Public Works, Political Will, and Impact of Litigation (16:21 - 19:45)** **Paul Comfort:** Reflects on historical public works projects and the difference in execution between countries with different governance structures. Discusses how litigation can slow down or halt public transportation projects in the U.S. and the high cost and prolonged timelines of projects in the current U.S. regulatory environment.

**Leadership in Transit Agencies (19:4