Stop Requested

In this episode recorded live from Transport Ticketing North America 2025, hosts Levi McCollum and Christian Londono talk with Jeff Nullmeyer, Senior Business Development Manager at Masabi, about how modern fare technology is improving transit for both riders and agencies. Jeff explains Masabi's platform approach to fare collection, giving riders multiple payment options—mobile ticketing, contactl...

In this episode of Stop Requested, hosts Levi McCollum and Christian Londono sit down with Ricky Angueira, Principal at Jarrett Walker & Associates, to discuss the ridership versus coverage framework that's changing how cities think about transit planning. From his background studying civil engineering in Puerto Rico to urban planning in Spain, Ricky shares his approach to full network redesigns i...

In this episode of Stop Requested we sit down with Lucas Boehm, IT Director at the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA). Lucas shares his journey from subcontractor to IT Director and offers a behind-the-scenes look at TARTA’s digital transformation over the past five years. Lucas emphasizes the importance of purposeful technology deployment, cross-departmental collaboration, and involvi...

Join hosts Levi McCollum and Christian Londono as they sit down with Jeremy Baker, Director of Finance at the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA), for an eye-opening conversation about the financial realities facing public transit today. Recorded live from Transport Ticketing North America 2025 in Chicago, Jeremy breaks down the key funding mechanisms that keep transit systems...

What happens when the person who's worked at your transit agency for 20 years retires—and takes decades of institutional knowledge with them? Walter Jenkins, founder of Transit Chat, knows this problem all too well. In this episode, we dive deep into the communication breakdowns plaguing transit agencies of all sizes. From managers drowning in 65 emails by noon to critical information getting lost...

How do you market public transit in a world where everyone defaults to driving? Our guest, Evan Henderson, has the answers. In this episode, we sit down with Evan to discuss battle-tested strategies from his time at Palm Tran, where he worked as Marketing Manager and later Senior Public Relations Manager, and his current role as Sr. Account Manager at Garth Solutions. From launching viral campaign...

After years of declining ridership, service cuts, and aging infrastructure, Cincinnati Metro found itself in a classic "death spiral." But thanks to bold leadership, a game-changing public vote, and a relentless focus on the rider experience, the agency has staged an inspiring turnaround. In this episode of Stop Requested, hosts Levi McCollum and Christian Londono sit down with Steve Anderson, Sen...

Join hosts Levi McCollum and Christian Londono for a special episode of Stop Requested as they welcome their first overseas guest, Stuart Barker, Portfolio Director at Clarion Events, the world’s third-largest event organizer. Dive into the story behind the Transport Ticketing Global event in London and its fast-growing North American counterpart, both of which have become essential hubs for trans...

In this episode of  Stop Requested , hosts Levi McCollum and Christian Londono sit down with Joel Rey, Director of Transit Services and Principal Associate at Benesch, to explore his 36-year journey in transit planning and consulting. Joel shares how a single university course sparked his passion for transit, leading to a career that has shaped mobility across Florida and beyond. From launching ne...

What happens when a childhood love for maps and city-building games grows into a career transforming public transit? In this episode of  Stop Requested , hosts Levi McCollum and Christian Londono sit down with Jacob Labutka, Planning Manager at the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA). Jacob shares his journey from sketching imaginary cities as a kid to leading one of Florida’s most ambitiou...

David Carr, Director of Zero Emissions Bus Programs at CapMetro, shares how Austin’s transit agency is driving toward a fully zero-emission fleet. Hear about the rollout of battery-electric buses, the groundbreaking solar-powered charging infrastructure, and the real-world challenges of electrifying public transit-from workforce training to integrating new technologies. Get an inside look at one o...

Join hosts Levi McCollum and Christian Londono on Stop Requested as they unpack the biggest takeaways from the North Carolina Public Transportation Association conference. From expert insights on the shifting landscape of federal funding and policy to the latest innovations in training and technology, this episode dives deep into the challenges and opportunities facing transit agencies today. Chri...

In this episode of Stop Requested, hosts Levi McCollum and Christian Londono break down their top takeaways from the 2025 APTA Mobility Conference in Austin. Christian shares how the increased need for more hands-on training technology is giving agencies a competitive edge, especially as electric buses and new systems become the norm. The conversation highlights the debut of a 100% battery-electri...

We're bringing back one of our most insightful episodes of Stop Requested ! Hosts Levi McCollum and Christian Londono sit down with their very first guest, Yash Nagal, Director of Transit Planning at Palm Tran. In this conversation, we explore the nationwide rise in transit ridership, dive into innovative approaches like Palm Tran's Buslink program, and discuss how service frequency and sy...

In this episode of  Stop Requested , Levi McCollum and Christian Londono speak with Shelley Strimaitis, Planning and Special Projects Manager at Bloomington Transit, about her journey from experiencing Singapore’s transit system to leading innovative projects in a vibrant university town. Shelley shares insights on the transformative power of live vehicle tracking and how Bloomington Transit is us...

In this episode of Stop Requested, Levi McCollum and Christian Londono discuss the significance of bus stop amenities in enhancing the transit experience. They explore how features like shelters, seating, and real-time displays impact rider comfort, perceived wait times, and overall satisfaction. Learn how transit planners prioritize amenities based on demand, right-of-way considerations, and cost...

In this episode of  Stop Requested , Levi McCollum and Christian Londono discuss the evolution of fare collection systems and their impact on transit agencies. From traditional cash-based methods to modern cashless technologies, they explore the challenges of legacy systems and the benefits of upgrading. Learn how improved farebox technology can reduce dwell times, streamline operations, enhance r...

We’re bringing back an important conversation in this re-run episode of Stop Requested . Christian and Levi address the pressing issue of assaults on transit workers, highlighting alarming trends that show a rise in incidents over the past 15 years. They discuss the lasting effects on bus operators from PTSD to workforce shortages and examine the societal factors driving these challenges. The epis...

In this episode of Stop Requested, Levi and Christian recap the Texas Transit Association Conference, Expo, and Rodeo held in McAllen, Texas. Christian shares firsthand insights on the event’s highlights, from industry-leading sessions and vendor showcases to the competitive energy of the roadeo. They also discuss the role of APC certification in 2025, the power of networking at transit conference...

In this special replay episode of Stop Requested, Levi and Christian revisit an essential conversation about Automatic Passenger Counting (APC) technology and its impact on public transit agencies. With the 2025 APC recertification deadline set by the FTA fast approaching, they break down why agencies need to act now and the operational benefits of certification. They also highlight ETA Transit’s...

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing public transit, bringing smarter service, safer rides, and a better passenger experience. In this episode of Stop Requested , hosts Levi McCollum and Christian Londono explore how AI is streamlining operations—from predictive maintenance and real-time scheduling to intelligent chatbots and fare enforcement. Discover how agencies are using AI to improve ef...

In this episode of Stop Requested, hosts Levi McCollum and Christian Londono explore the unique experience of the Transit Bus Summit, an event that goes beyond traditional transit conferences by fostering direct, meaningful connections between agencies and vendors. Christian shares key takeaways from this year’s summit, including discussions on integration challenges, open data standards, and the...

On this episode of Stop Requested, we interview Juan Portillo, Public Works Manager - Transit at the City of Manteca. Dive into the heart of community-focused transit planning as Juan shares his journey from military service to becoming a pivotal figure in public transportation. Discover how Manteca Transit has transformed its services to better cater to its residents, particularly the youth and s...

Levi and Christian unpack the complexities behind on-time performance, exploring why being early can be worse than being late, how operators juggle impossible schedules, and the hidden challenges agencies face in defining and maintaining punctuality. They break down how this simple-sounding stat can be surprisingly complicated—and why it matters to both riders and agencies.

Ridership numbers often dominate transit discussions, but should they be the ultimate measure of success? Levi and Christian unpack the pros and cons, exploring how accessibility, service quality, and community impact factor in. Is a packed bus always a sign of a great system, or is there more to consider? Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on what truly makes public transit effective.