For decades, Luminator Technology Group has been known as a leader in passenger information systems and transit technology. But as public transportation evolves, so does the company.

In this episode of METROspectives, METRO Magazine’s Executive Editor Alex Roman sits down with Magnus Friberg, CEO of Luminator Technology Group, to discuss the company's transformation from a hardware-focused manufacturer into a technology partner centered on software, data, AI, and connected mobility solutions.

Topics discussed include:

• Why the company is transforming and what makes today's Luminator different.
• Where the industry is headed and how AI, software, and data are changing agency expectations.
• What a strong supplier-agency relationship should look like and how Luminator is working to deliver it.
• Friberg’s vision for Luminator's future and what's next for the transit industry.

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As technology continues to reshape the transportation landscape, companies are finding new ways to connect passengers with mobility services while helping operators streamline traditionally fragmented processes.

One company working at the intersection of transportation and technology is CharterUP, a marketplace platform that connects organizations with charter bus and group transportation providers across North America.

In this edition of METROspectives, Harris joinsMETRO’s Alex Roman to discuss his company’s history, the role of technology and artificial intelligence in modernizing group transportation, evolving customer expectations, and what he sees ahead for mobility providers navigating a rapidly changing marketplace.

In this edition of METROspectives, Joshua Schank, co-authorof New Tricks for Old Bureaucracies: Improving Policy Outcomes in the Public Sector, reflects on the evolution of transportation innovation, lessons learned from helping launch LA Metro’s Office of Extraordinary Innovation (OEI), and how those experiences continue to shape his work today at InfraStrategies and the ACES Mobility Coalition.

Drawing from years of experience across the public andprivate sectors, Schank discusses the challenges agencies face when introducing new technologies, navigating political realities, and building momentum for long-term change in the mobility industry.

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In this episode of METROspectives, Brian Buchanan, transitprogram management lead at HDR, joins METRO’s Alex Roman to discuss how his role is helping agencies navigate the growing complexity of major capital programs. Drawing on his background, he explains how program management has evolved into a strategic function as projects grow larger, become more interconnected, and are subject to greater scrutiny.

Buchanan highlights the biggest challenges facing transitagencies today, including supply chain volatility, cost escalation, and workforce constraints, and shares how HDR is adapting its approach to help clients stay flexible and manage risk more proactively.

Topics include:

· How Buchanan’s public experience informs hisprivate sector position.

· Issues facing large complex projects.

· Working with key stakeholders to find success.

· What the future of project management may hold.

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In this episode of Bus Tech Talk, Co-Hosts Mark Hollenbeck, business development manager at Complete Coach Works, and Alex Roman, Executive Editor at METRO, are joined by Cecil Blandon, director of maintenance at AC Transit in Oakland, California. Our conversation was so in-depth that we’ve split it into two parts.

In Part 2, Blandon discusses his agency’s training programand the challenges of working with various types of vehicles and propulsion systems, the importance of collaboration, and more.

Topics include:

· Working with various types ofvehicles/propulsion systems.

· Training his maintenance team, including the useof augmented reality.

· Providing employees opportunities for growth.

· The importance of industry collaboration.

In this episode of Bus Tech Talk, Co-Hosts Mark Hollenbeck, business development manager at Complete Coach Works, and Alex Roman, Executive Editor at METRO, are joined by Cecil Blandon, director of maintenance at AC Transit in Oakland, California. Our conversation was so in-depth that we’ve split it into two parts.

In Part 1, Blandon shares his journey from the U.S. Marinesto a leadership role in public transit, along with insights on mentorship and professional growth within the industry. Stay tuned for Part 2, which will take a deeper dive into AC Transit’s world-class maintenance program, including its approach to technology, innovation, and the operational excellence.

Topics include:

· Growing up with a wrench in his hand.

· From the military to the public transitindustry.

· Mentoring and apprenticeship programs.

· Training and opportunities at AC Transit

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On the latest episode of METROspectives, leaders from The Bus Coalition (TBC) sat down with Executive Editor Alex Roman to discuss the organization’s evolving role in shaping federal transit policy and advocating for stronger investment in bus systems nationwide. With surface transportationreauthorization approaching, the coalition is focused on ensuring that bus and bus facility programs remain a central priority in Washington.

In this conversation, TBC’s Executive Director Ed Redfern,President Corey Aldridge, and Washington Representative Joel Rubin outline the coalition’s key policy priorities, the challenges facing transit agencies, and how industry stakeholders can work together to strengthen the voice of bus transit at the federal level.

Topics include:

· How TBC’s priorities have evolved

· Issues impacting membership

· The Surface Transportation Bill outlook

· How to get involved in advocacy efforts

In this episode of METROspectives, METRO Magazine spoke with Inez Evans-Benson, SVP and deputy transit and rail market leader for WSP in the U.S., about the line between customer experience and customer satisfaction.Drawing on decades of industry experience, Evans-Benson offered insights into the differences between the two, along with tips for better customer engagement and more.

Topics include:

· The differences between customer satisfactionand the customer experience.

· How to prioritize the customer.

· Innovating to increase customer satisfaction.

· How to better engage customers.

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