In this episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort sits down with Amanda Vandegrift, Deputy CEO of Finance & Administration and Chief Financial Officer at WeGo Public Transit in Nashville.

This conversation is part of our “The Doers” series—highlighting transit leaders who are not just setting vision, but actively delivering results on the ground.

Amanda shares her unique journey from private-sector consultant—where she helped design Nashville’s “Choose How You Move” ballot initiative—to becoming the executive responsible for implementing it inside the agency.

With a newly approved funding stream, a growing system, and rising ridership, Nashville offers a real-world case study in how agencies can move from planning to execution—and actually deliver on what voters approved.

What You’ll Learn:

How to move from a transit referendum to real-world implementation

What it takes to shift an agency from maintenance mode to growth

How WeGo is achieving double-digit ridership gains

Why staffing and recruitment must come before expansion

How a low-income fare program can drive access and usage

The role of microtransit partnerships like WeGo Link with Uber

How to build financial stability with a $47M reserve fund

Why today’s transit CFO is a strategic operator—not just a numbers role

From Ballot to Bus Service

Amanda played a key role in developing Nashville’s “Choose How You Move” initiative—a half-cent sales tax increase designed to fund billions in transit improvements.

Now inside the agency, she’s helping implement:

Expanded bus service and increased frequency

New transit centers and corridor investments

First-mile/last-mile solutions through microtransit

A free transit program for qualifying riders

Long-term system growth backed by dedicated funding

The early results are already showing up, with ridership increases ranging from 10% to 30% as service improves and barriers are removed.

Innovation Spotlight: First/Last Mile That Works

WeGo’s partnership model with Uber is helping bridge the gap between riders and fixed-route service:

19 service zones (and expanding)

$2 rides—or free for eligible users

Direct connections to high-frequency routes

Delivered at a relatively low cost to the agency

It’s a scalable example of how agencies can extend their reach without overextending fixed-route service.

Host: Paul Comfort

Executive Producer: Julie Gates

Producer: Chris O’Keeffe

Editor: Patrick Emile

Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin

Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo, passionate about moving the world’s people.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this presentation, from any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken in response to it.

00:00 Welcome to Nashville

00:14 Expansion Culture and CFO Role

00:22 Meet Amanda Vandergrift

02:15 Working with Steve Bland

03:34 Two Agencies One Brand

05:08 Contracting and Access Service

06:22 From Consultant to CFO

08:27 Choose How You Move Wins

09:22 Quick Wins and Free Fares

11:29 Wego Link Uber Zones

In this episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort explores a question many transit agencies are asking today: Do operators make the best transit leaders?

Paul’s guest, Michael Dylan Pal, Director of Public Transit for the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) in Buffalo, has lived that journey firsthand.

Pal began his career behind the wheel as a bus operator for New York City Transit, eventually rising through the ranks of the MTA, serving in senior leadership roles across multiple agencies, and later helping lead operations at Valley Metro in Phoenix before returning to New York to oversee transit in the Buffalo–Niagara region.

In this conversation, Pal reflects on how starting on the front lines shaped his leadership philosophy—and why understanding the daily realities of operators can make a real difference when managing a complex transit system.

Today, Pal leads the NFTA Metro system, which provides bus, light rail, and paratransit service to the Buffalo–Niagara region—supporting more than a million residents and carrying roughly 50,000–60,000 riders on a typical weekday.

Paul and Michael discuss:

How Pal’s career started as a bus operator in Brooklyn

What transit leaders can learn from working on the front lines

The transition from Phoenix’s desert system to Buffalo’s winter operations

Major projects underway in Buffalo, including the DL&W Station redevelopment

Plans for the Amherst rail extension

The upcoming Bailey Bus Rapid Transit corridor

Fleet modernization, electric buses, and future propulsion strategies

Pal also shares how Buffalo is experiencing a new wave of investment and growth, and how transit is playing a key role in connecting people to jobs, education, and opportunity across Western New York.

For Pal, the lesson is simple: the best transit leaders never forget what it’s like to serve riders and support operators every day.

Host: Paul Comfort

Executive Producer: Julie Gates

Producer: Chris O’Keeffe

Editor: Patrick Emile

Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin

Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo, passionate about moving the world’s people.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this presentation, from any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken in response to it.

Welcome to the first part of a series we're calling "The Doers"!

Public safety is one of the most urgent issues facing transit systems today. In this episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort sits down with Kevin Scott, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Security at Bi-State Development / St. Louis Metro Transit, to discuss a bold initiative that is reshaping safety across the region’s light rail network.

Scott explains how St. Louis developed its Secure Platform Plan, a comprehensive strategy that combines infrastructure upgrades, technology, and partnerships with law enforcement to strengthen security on the MetroLink light rail system.

The results are already striking: stations where the program has been implemented have seen a 50% reduction in criminal incidents and a significant increase in ridership.

During the conversation, Scott walks through how the plan evolved from a detailed security assessment that produced 99 recommendations, and how those insights helped guide long-term improvements across the system.

The episode also explores the powerful connection between actual safety improvements and the perception of safety — and why both are critical to attracting riders back to transit.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why St. Louis shifted from an open platform light rail system to secured stations

How gating, fencing, and expanded CCTV coverage are changing security operations

The role of security partnerships with local law enforcement and contracted security teams

Why perception of safety matters just as much as actual incident reduction

How safer stations are helping drive ridership growth across the system

Scott also shares how the agency is upgrading fare collection systems alongside the security infrastructure, creating a modernized transit experience for riders while strengthening enforcement against fare evasion.

As transit agencies nationwide prioritize safety and security, the St. Louis experience offers valuable lessons for systems considering similar investments.

Links

Learn more about the Secure Platform Plan:

https://www.metrostlouis.org

Credits

Host and Producer: Paul Comfort

Executive Producer: Julie Gates

Producer: Chris O’Keeffe

Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin

Editor: Patrick Emile

Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo — passionate about moving the world’s people.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this presentation, from any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken in response to it.

Credits

Host and Producer: Paul Comfort

Executive Producer: Julie Gates

Producer: Chris O’Keeffe

Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin

Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo — passionate about moving the world’s people.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this presentation, from any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken in response to it.