Episode Details

Episode 60: Rethinking Transit Adoption, Open-Loop Payments, and Equity with Dr. Susie Pike Episode Overview In this episode of Transition to Zero, host Jared Schnader is joined by Dr. Susie Pike, Director of the UC Davis Transit Research Center at the Institute of Transportation Studies . Together, they explore how academic research directly informs public transit operations, travel behavior post-COVID, and the strategic integration of microtransit and micromobility options . Dr. Pike provides a deep dive into the implementation of open-loop payment systems —highlighting how digital payment tools and state-level vendor frameworks like the California Integrated Travel Program (CalITP) can enhance transit equity and streamline zero-emission fleet adoption . They also tackle the crucial policy debates surrounding capital versus operational transit funding and the value of peer-to-peer knowledge sharing across the industry . Key Takeaways & Discussion Highlights

• Bridging Academia and Transit Operations: How the UC Institute of Transportation Studies partners with state policymakers and agencies to translate research into real-world transit solutions .
• Shift in Travel Behavior: Moving beyond traditional peak-hour commute models to serve non-work "care trips" (e.g., household errands, grocery shopping, school runs) with consistent, reliable, and high-frequency service .
• Right-Sizing Transit Solutions: Balancing high-density fixed-route transit with flexible on-demand microtransit and first/last-mile micromobility (e.g., bike-share, scooter-share, pedestrian infrastructure) .
• Open-Loop Payments & Equity: How contactless tap-to-pay systems, EBT cards, and digital wallet options reduce friction for riders—including unbanked individuals—without requiring a traditional bank account or smartphone .
• State Frameworks for Zero-Emission Fleets: Applying Master Service Agreement models (similar to CalITP) to help transit agencies lower administrative burdens and costs when procuring electric or hydrogen fuel cell buses .
• Funding Challenges: Addressing the structural gap between capital investment grants (purchasing vehicles) and operational funding (paying drivers and running daily routes) .

Timestamps

• 00:01 – Introduction to Dr. Susie Pike & UC Davis Transit Research Center
• 02:57 – Bridging the Gap Between Academic Research and Daily Transit Operations
• 06:58 – Post-COVID Travel Patterns: Care Trips and High-Frequency Service Demand
• 12:42 – Microtransit, Micromobility, and Pedestrian Ecosystems
• 16:43 – Open-Loop Payments Explained: CalITP and Financial Inclusion
• 18:50 – Applying Open-Loop Procurement Frameworks to Zero-Emission Vehicle Adoption
• 24:02 – The Funding Divide: Operations vs. Capital Investments
• 27:28 – Core Advice for Transit Leaders and Policy Makers

Featured Guest & Resources Mentioned

• Dr. Susie Pike | Director, UC Davis Transit Research Center | Research Faculty, UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies
  • LinkedIn: Dr. Susie Pike Profile
  • Organization: UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies
• Jared Schnader | Host, Transition to Zero | Executive Vice President, CALSTART