Women Who Move Nations - The Public Transport Podcast

In this bonus episode of Women Who Move Nations, host Michelle Batsas, the Chief Executive Officer of the Public Transport Association Australia New Zealand (PTAANZ), becomes the interviewee, as Magda Robertson, General Manager of Torrens Connect in Adelaide, finds out why Michelle loves being part of the public transport sector and what’s top of mind for her right now. Michelle also shares some s...

Magda Robertson is the General Manager of Torrens Connect where she oversees Adelaide’s tram network and surrounding bus network. In her discussion with Michelle Batsas, the Chief Executive Officer of the Public Transport Association Australia New Zealand (PTAANZ), Magda shares insights from her extensive operations experience in major transport networks including Metro Trains Melbourne and Sydney...

Laurence Batlle is Chairwoman of the Executive Board at RATP Dev, the international development arm of urban public transport operator RATP Group. In this role, Laurence oversees RATP Dev's 110 bus, metro, tram, railway, e-scooter and waterborne operations across 13 countries globally. In her interview with Michelle Batsas, the Chief Executive Officer of the Public Transport Association Austr...

Lara Poloni is the President of global infrastructure consulting firm, AECOM. Lara shares insights with host Michelle Batsas, the Chief Executive Officer of the Public Transport Association Australia New Zealand (PTAANZ), from her extensive experience working on major transport infrastructure projects all over the world. Her love of cities and desire to make them functional, sustainable and liveab...

Lauren Skiver is CEO and General Manager of SunLine Transit, a bus operator in California's Coachella Valley and a world-leader in decarbonising heavy vehicles. In her interview with Michelle Batsas, the Chief Executive Officer of the Public Transport Association Australia New Zealand (PTAANZ), Lauren shares how she’s putting her organisation at the forefront of the huge transformation agenda faci...

Julie Mitchell, the Deputy Director General of Policy, Planning and Investment at Queensland's Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR), is passionate about innovation in public transport. Julie shares her vision and drive for shaping the best possible public transport services for Queensland now and into the future, which she says will involve complex transformation on an unprecedented s...

Megan Bourke-O’Neil, Deputy Secretary of Policy and Innovation at the Victorian Department of Transport, joins guest host Angé Anczewska, former General Manager of UITPANZ, in a heartfelt discussion about why public transport is so important to our communities. Megan shares that she loves working in a purpose-led field that can improve people’s quality of life by giving them access to jobs and ser...

Jenny Chetwynd, Executive General Manager of Planning and Investment at Auckland Transport is passionate about how public transport can shape people’s lifestyles and the impact she can have as a public transport leader. Jenny and host Michelle Batsas, the Chief Executive Officer of the Public Transport Association Australia New Zealand (PTAANZ), discuss the public transport outlook and how to tack...

Dr Josipa Petrunic, President and CEO of the Canadian Urban Transit Research and Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC), has a wide ranging discussion with host and UITPANZ Executive Director, Michelle Batsas, about the future of zero emissions transport, influencing decision makers to get initiatives funded  and dealing with imposter syndrome. Be empowered by Josipa’s inspiring journey and visi...

The Hon. Jacinta Allan MP has held public transport portfolios since 2014. Jacinta talks to Michelle Batsas, the Chief Executive Officer of the Public Transport Association Australia New Zealand (PTAANZ) about her passion for ensuring public transport meets the needs of urban and regional communities. She's driven to create better connections and services for everyone. Through a range of projects...

Western Australia's Minister for Transport and Planning, the Hon. Rita Saffioti MLA, is transforming the state by planning transport projects that deliver better mobility and economic benefits. She's particularly proud of the local rail car manufacturing policy which she wrote in opposition and is now implementing as part of Perth's Metronet project, she explains to host Michelle Batsas, the...

Wendy McMillan, President Australia and New Zealand for Bombardier Transportation, has three decades of executive leadership experience. While workplaces have improved to be more inclusive for women, there's still a long way to go. Wendy wants to see organisations be proactive, "almost tenacious", in mandating and leading policies to create gender equity. Wendy shares with host Michelle Batsas, th...

The Honourable Julie Anne Genter is New Zealand's Minister for Women and Associate Minister for Transport and for Health. Her passion for urban and transport planning got her into politics, she explains to host Michelle Batsas, the Chief Executive Officer of the Public Transport Association Australia New Zealand (PTAANZ). She advocated for over a decade to have minimum parking requirements re...

As Chairman of the Board of Keolis Downer in Australia and President of the Middle East and India for Keolis, Leila Frances is a woman who moves many nations. As she explains to host Michelle Batsas, the Chief Executive Officer of the Public Transport Association Australia New Zealand (PTAANZ), Leila has built her expertise through on-the-ground operational experience, understa...

Transdev Melbourne's Managing Director, Loretta Lynch, is proud to join the team delivering around 30 percent of Melbourne's bus network, with 1400 staff, 500 buses and 25 million passenger journeys a year. The jewel in their crown is Melbourne's first locally-built, fully electric bus, Loretta shares with host Michelle Batsas, the Chief Executive Officer of the Public Transport Association Austra...

Becky Wood, Managing Director, Transportation - Australia & New Zealand at Aurecon, describes to Michelle Batsas, the Chief Executive Officer of the Public Transport Association Australia New Zealand (PTAANZ), how while working on the financial side of major rail infrastructure projects as a chartered accountant, she quickly discovered what really interested her was the tangible link betw...

ViaVan's Jessica Oppetit thinks public mobility has become a lot more dynamic in the last five years. It's a great example of how data and innovation can change and positively influence an industry, Jessica tells host Michelle Batsas, the Chief Executive Officer of the Public Transport Association Australia New Zealand (PTAANZ). Jessica outlines how demand-responsive transport can supplement fixed...

Nicole Rosie, Chief Executive Officer of Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, explains how she used her mastery of change management to lead the organisation through New Zealand’s level four COVID-19 lockdown, less than a month after she started the role. Bringing organisations, teams and individuals along with a new way of working and making it part of their ‘why’ to change was crucial to NZTA's swif...

Leanne Redden, the Aussie heading up the Regional Transportation Authority in Northeastern Illinois, oversees the second biggest public transport network in the USA. She discusses how public transport benefits everybody, even people who don't use it. She's been inspired by women who are bold and brave and tries to model that behaviour herself. Hosted by Michelle Batsas, the Chief Ex...

Elizabeth Mildwater, Transport for NSW's Deputy Secretary of Greater Sydney, reflects on the present and future of public transport in Australia's biggest city, as well as transport workers' commitment to serving the public. In her interview with Michelle Batsas, Chief Executive Officer of the Public Transport Association Australia New Zealand (PTAANZ), Elizabeth shares how she's ch...

Transport for London (TfL)'s Managing Director of Crossrail 2, Michèle Dix, is no stranger to a challenge, having implemented London's congestion charging regime and having previously held the position of Managing Director of Planning for TfL. She lives to serve the public, whether it's through major public transport policy innovations or the perfect cup of tea. In her interview with Michelle Bats...