# The Transit Authority This podcast highlights the people, organizations, and ideas that are transforming public transportation. Page: Feed: --- ## A Conversation with Amtrak President Roger Harris and Amtrak Board Member Elaine Clegg _2026-07-02_ In a podcast recorded live from the Products and Services Showcase at the 2026 APTA Rail Conference in Baltimore, Maryland, Amtrak leaders describe a series of notable advances. The conversation covered record ridership, the new fleet of equipment being introduced across the country, Amtrak's role in World Cup transportation, access initiatives, and generational infrastructure upgrades on the… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/735176/episodes/19436147-a-conversation-with-amtrak-president-roger-harris-and-amtrak-board-member-elaine-clegg.mp3) ## Season 6, Episode 2: Utah Transit Authority: Impactful Public Transportation in a Growing and Fiscally Conservative State _2026-03-05_ Utah Transit Authority's (UTA) extraordinary rise as one of the most innovative, responsive, and impactful public transportation systems in the United States helped secure the 2034 Winter Olympic Games, and recognition in 2025 with an APTA Public Transportation System Achievement Award. UTA Executive Director Jay Fox will describe specific ways UTA has met the challenge of fiscal constraints,… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/735176/episodes/18791889-season-6-episode-2-utah-transit-authority-impactful-public-transportation-in-a-growing-and-fiscally-conservative-state.mp3) ## Season 6, Episode 1: Can “Unofficial” Mentoring Programs Work? _2026-01-28_ APTA is celebrating National Mentoring Month. Tune in to this episode to hear from Doran Barnes, Chief Executive Officer at Foothill Transit, and Derik Calhoun, Chief Transportation Officer at Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and celebrate National Mentoring Month with the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). Doran and Derik will share practical steps that you can take to successfully… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/735176/episodes/18584836-season-6-episode-1-can-unofficial-mentoring-programs-work.mp3) ## Season 5, Episode 8: Author Joshua Schank Talks About the Role of Chief Innovation Officers in Transit Organizations _2025-10-16_ Joshua Schank provides case studies on effectuating change and about his new book "New Tricks for Old Bureaucracies: Improving Policy Outcomes in the Public Sector.” [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/735176/episodes/18022819-season-5-episode-8-author-joshua-schank-talks-about-the-role-of-chief-innovation-officers-in-transit-organizations.mp3) ## Season 5, Episode 7: A Conversation with Randy Clarke On WMATA’s Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award _2025-09-19_ Through bold leadership, regional collaboration, and a relentless commitment to continuous improvement, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) has rebuilt public trust, modernized, and redefined what excellence in public transportation looks like. Metro General Manager / CEO Randy Clarke will describe the accomplishments and innovations that resulted in peer recognition as an… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/735176/episodes/17868774-season-5-episode-7-a-conversation-with-randy-clarke-on-wmata-s-outstanding-public-transportation-system-achievement-award.mp3) ## Season 5, Episode 6: The Ongoing Quest for Accessible Public Transportation: Reflections at the 35th Anniversary of the ADA _2025-07-25_ Accessible mobility for all is a core value of APTA and its members. This episode is a celebration of accessible mobility and a commemoration of the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, signed into law July 26, 1995. Guests Ron Brooks, author of “All Aboard: Conducting Accessible Community Involvement for Public Transit" and Anna Zivarts, author of “When Driving is not an… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/735176/episodes/17558877-season-5-episode-6-the-ongoing-quest-for-accessible-public-transportation-reflections-at-the-35th-anniversary-of-the-ada.mp3) ## Season 5, Episode 5: Celebrating National Apprenticeship Day with MTA NYC Transit _2025-04-22_ In honor of National Apprenticeship Day, APTA is spotlighting the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) Elevators & Escalators Apprenticeship Program at New York City Transit (NYCT). With a dedicated team of 400 employees maintaining over 600 pieces of equipment, MTA’s program is an outstanding example of how to grow and sustain a skilled workforce. This episode of The Transit Authority… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/735176/episodes/17023079-season-5-episode-5-celebrating-national-apprenticeship-day-with-mta-nyc-transit.mp3) ## Season 5, Episode 4: A Next Gen Recruitment Strategy That Works: HNTB’s Internship Program _2025-04-03_ APTA is celebrating National Internship Awareness Month by featuring HNTB’s successful program. If you are ready to learn more about a strategic approach to organically recruit the next generation of talent, while engaging your staff in fulfilling work, tune into this episode of APTA’s official podcast, The Transit Authority! HNTB interns are assigned to real projects with tasks to develop their… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/735176/episodes/16910469-season-5-episode-4-a-next-gen-recruitment-strategy-that-works-hntb-s-internship-program.mp3) ## Season 5, Episode 3: CEOs Share The Business Case For Mentor Programs _2025-01-30_ In this episode of APTA’s National Mentoring Month podcast series, we are featuring four CEOs who will tap you into the business case for mentoring. This episode of The Transit Authority shares why CEOs invest in mentorship as an effective strategy to build a culture of organizational excellence and develop employees. To learn more about mentorship programs and determine if this is a smart… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/735176/episodes/16529013-season-5-episode-3-ceos-share-the-business-case-for-mentor-programs.mp3) ## [Stay updated on your professional world (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/ngxnDrZgwKr2) _2025-01-30 · **Sponsored**_ Keep in touch with people you know, build your career. ## Season 5, Episode 2: Mentors Open Doors Part II _2025-01-23_ During National Mentoring Month we are sharing more about how mentors encourage mentees to develop leadership competencies and build upon their current strengths to flourish in their career and in life. APTA’s Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) provides public transportation professionals with the skills, knowledge, and networks needed for advancement. Tune into this episode to hear the stories of… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/735176/episodes/16489576-season-5-episode-2-mentors-open-doors-part-ii.mp3)