As Transit Unplugged kicks off 2026, host Paul Comfort sits down with Bennett Resnik, Senior Vice President in the Critical Infrastructure Group at Venn Strategies, for a wide-ranging conversation on the federal forces shaping public transportation in the year ahead.

This episode marks the first installment in a multi-part State of Transit series, offering listeners a clear, insider perspective from Washington, DC. Bennett brings deep experience from Capitol Hill to break down what transit leaders should be paying attention to right now — and what’s coming next.

In this episode, we explore:

The upcoming Surface Transportation Reauthorization — what it is, why it matters, and realistic timelines for passage

How the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) changed transit funding — and why the next bill will likely look very different

The evolving federal stance on zero-emission buses, including battery electric, hydrogen, CNG, and hybrid fleets

How shifting policy priorities are influencing manufacturers, procurement decisions, and fleet strategies

The current and future impact of Buy America requirements, including costs, compliance, and domestic manufacturing

What ongoing federal budget negotiations and continuing resolutions mean for transit agencies in 2026

Why global events like the Olympics and FIFA World Cup are increasingly shaping federal transportation planning

Throughout the conversation, Paul and Bennett connect federal policy decisions to on-the-ground realities for transit agencies — from capital planning and vehicle procurement to safety, reliability, and long-term investment.

🏛️ ThinkTransit Executive Summit

Transit executives interested in diving deeper into these topics are invited to attend the ThinkTransit Executive Summit, taking place this March in Boston as part of the ThinkTransit Conference.

The Executive Summit brings together senior transit leaders for a candid, in-person, Chatham House Rules discussion on:

Safety, security, and fare evasion

Cybersecurity and AI in transit operations

Federal policy, funding, and the future of mobility

👉 Learn more and register here:

https://trapezegroup.com/thinktransit/executive-summit/

Host + Producer: Paul Comfort

Executive Producer: Julie Gates

Producer: Chris O'Keeffe

Editor: Patrick Emile

Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin

Brand Design: Tina Olagundoye

Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova

If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com

📩 Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter:

https://transitunplugged.com/subscrib

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, its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent. This production belongs to Modaxo and may contain information subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights. This content is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Modaxo disclaims all warranties and liability arising from the use of this material.

On this episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort is joined by Roger Harris, President of Amtrak, for an in-depth look at what’s driving momentum at America’s national railroad. Roger breaks down a remarkable 2025 for Amtrak—highlighting record ridership, revenue growth, and historic capital investment—and shares what’s ahead in 2026 as the organization stays focused on one core priority: running a great railroad.

Paul and Roger explore how Amtrak operates as both a passenger rail provider and a critical infrastructure partner—especially in the complex Northeast Corridor ecosystem where commuter agencies and intercity rail depend on shared networks, tunnels, and bridges. Roger also digs into how smarter scheduling, strong demand, and modernized service planning are fueling growth—while new investment helps deliver more consistent reliability and a stronger customer experience.

They also preview what’s coming next, including the NextGen Acela rollout, the future of Airo fleet modernization, and new service momentum like the Amtrak Mardi Gras route. Plus, Roger shares how Amtrak is preparing to support major national moments ahead—including World Cup travel and America 250.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

What drove Amtrak’s record performance in 2025

Why “running a great railroad” means consistency, tools, and reliability

How Amtrak supports commuter partners as an infrastructure provider

What’s next for NextGen Acela and Airo fleet modernization

How Amtrak is preparing for World Cup crowds and America 250

Host + Producer: Paul Comfort

Executive Producer: Julie Gates

Producer: Chris O'Keeffe

Editor: Patrick Emile

Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin

Brand Design: Tina Olagundoye

Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova

If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com

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, its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent. This production belongs to Modaxo and may contain information subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights. This content is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Modaxo disclaims all warranties and liability arising from the use of this material.

Transit Unplugged wraps a six-part “State of Transit” series to kick off 2026, Paul Comfort is joined by Hayden Clarkin — transportation engineer, mobility consultant, Mass Transit Magazine Top 40 Under 40 honoree, and one of the industry’s most-followed voices online, known as “The Transit Guy.” In a wide-ranging conversation from New York City, Paul and Hayden break down the biggest forces shaping transit right now — from automation and AI to Amtrak expansion, station revitalization, and the growing push for better rider information and wayfinding. In this episode, we cover: Why transit automation is gaining momentum — and why new lines should be designed for it from day one What WMATA’s Automatic Train Operation progress could mean for capacity, reliability, and cost efficiency Where AI can create real value today (and where the hype still outpaces reality) What privatization could look like in North America — and what we can learn from global models Why night trains are resurging in Europe, and whether a similar model could work here The future of Amtrak, corridor expansion, and the challenges of state-by-state rail planning The return of iconic train stations — and why station location matters as much as architecture How wayfinding and real-time information can make transit easier for everyone (including first-timers) If you’re looking for a fast, smart snapshot of where transit is headed next, this episode is your roadmap.

Follow Hayden Clarkin: “The Transit Guy”:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/haydenclarkin/ https://www.instagram.com/thetransitguy/

https://thetransitguy.substack.com/

Host + Producer: Paul Comfort

Executive Producer: Julie Gates

Producer: Chris O'Keeffe

Editor: Patrick Emile Associate

Producer: Cyndi Raskin

Brand Design: Tina Olagundoye

Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova

If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com

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, its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent. This production belongs to Modaxo and may contain information subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights. This content is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Modaxo disclaims all warranties and liability arising from the use of this material.