Transit Resources

Sandy Brennan, Vice President at Foursquare Integrated Transportation Planning and Mass Transit Magazine’s 40 Under 40 awardee, joins hosts Levi McCollum and Christian Londono to discuss her TCRP Report 245 on transit worker mental health. Content Warning: This episode discusses mental health challenges, workplace trauma, and violence that some listeners may find distressing. Sandy reveals that over one-third of frontline transit workers show signs of anxiety or depression, exploring how COVID-19 intensified isolation and mistrust in the industry. The conversation covers practical solutions from agencies like VTA, TriMet, and IndyGo, including crisis response teams, mentorship programs, and innovative support systems. Key topics include the unique stresses facing bus operators and mechanics, the importance of building trust between workers and management, and how agencies can implement effective mental health programs regardless of size or budget. TCRP Report 245: Mental Health, Wellness, and Resilience for Transit System Workers https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/27592/mental-health-wellness-and-resilience-for-transit-system-workers

Boca Raton, FL. October 9, 2024. ETA is proud to announce the successful implementation of a custom-built CAD/AVL system for Boise State University.

Levi and Christian sit down with Jorge Espinoza, Interim Scheduling Manager at Houston METRO and founder of the Cruzero trip-planning app, to talk about the power of information in transit. From building rider tools in Bolivia to optimizing schedules in Houston, Jorge shares how data, design, and empathy create better service for both riders and operators.

This week on Stop Requested, we are revisiting a standout conversation from our archive with Ricky Angueira, Principal at Jarrett Walker & Associates. Hosts Levi McCollum and Christian Londono return to this episode to re-air their discussion on the ridership versus coverage framework that continues to shape how cities think about transit planning. Originally recorded earlier in the show’s run, this conversation traces Ricky’s path from studying civil engineering in Puerto Rico to urban planning in Spain, and into leading full network redesigns in cities ranging from Miami to Des Moines. Ricky explains why successful transit planning starts with community values, not just data, and why there is no single right answer when designing a transit network. Drawing on real examples from Knoxville, St. Pete, and Miami, Ricky shows how effective public engagement helps regions align around shared transit goals. The episode also explores microtransit as a coverage tool, the importance of scalable plans during budget constraints, and why transparent conversations with communities are essential to successful network redesigns. If you missed this episode the first time or want a refresher on one of the most influential frameworks in modern transit planning, this re-release is worth another listen.

Boca Raton, FL – September 3, 2026 – ETA today announced that several transit agencies are rolling out TransitGPT^TM, its conversational AI application designed to help transit professionals ask questions across connected agency data in plain language.

In this episode recorded live from Transport Ticketing North America 2025, hosts Levi McCollum and Christian Londono talk with Jeff Nullmeyer, Senior Business Development Manager at Masabi, about how modern fare technology is improving transit for both riders and agencies. Jeff explains Masabi’s platform approach to fare collection, giving riders multiple payment options—mobile ticketing, contactless cards, or traditional smart cards—without forcing them into a single method. He discusses fare capping, which helps unbanked riders earn passes as they travel, ensuring equitable access to discounts. Learn about real implementations at Los Angeles World Airports, Madison, and cash-free systems in Dayton. Jeff covers why flexibility and open architecture matter, how SaaS solutions keep agencies current without costly hardware upgrades, and common RFP mistakes that limit options. The conversation also touches on reducing cash handling burdens, eliminating mechanical failures from outdated systems, and emerging technology trends.

Boca Raton, FL. October 3, 2024. ETA, a leading provider of advanced transit technology solutions, is thrilled to announce that it has deployed a digital signage project with Hampton Roads Transit (HRT). The system includes ETA’s content management system to drive real-time passenger information, infotainment content, and rider alerts to digital LCD displays strategically placed at multiple transit centers.

Digital advertising on vehicles is coming. It’s already been adopted heavily in Europe, and the United States is gradually warming to the idea. there is a strong case to be made that the technology can add a new, profitable revenue stream to any advertising agency, and that there is a public demand for such a system. Digital advertising (also known as infotainment) leverage onboard displays (typically LCD) or public address systems to provide riders with route updates, news, weather, sports, local events, and local advertising. Unlike the traditional printed advertising, digital advertising doesn’t have an inventory problem. A transit agency can sell multiple ads on to any screen. Digital advertising is being looked at as a way for agencies to enhance their offerings, improve reputation, build brand value, and of course, create a new revenue channel they can use to help cover operating costs and invest more proactively in their service.

Transit operations depend on people, from dispatchers and operators to supervisors and administrators. But when turnover hits, even the most experienced agency can struggle to keep service running smoothly. Without an easy-to-use CAD/AVL system, service disruptions, delayed responses, and training gaps become the norm. That’s why ETA designed SPOT, a browser-based platform built to keep service on track, no matter who’s at the controls. 

Boca Raton, FL. March 18, 2024. ETA, a leading CAD/AVL bus technology provider, and Via, the global leader in TransitTech, have partnered to upgrade the Sioux Area Metro (SAM) public transit network in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In a mere four weeks, ETA deployed a state of the art 26 bus fixed route ITS project. More impressively, ETA demonstrated their dedication by completing the bus installation in one week during the December 2023 holiday season.

In the past, deploying a new Computer-Aided Dispatch/Automatic Vehicle Location (CAD/AVL) system could take many months or even years. Today, however, modern technologies and advanced implementation techniques have dramatically shortened deployment times, allowing for faster and more efficient system installations.

In this episode of Stop Requested, Levi McCollum and Cristian Londono talk with Dr. Nick Ferenchak, Center Director for the Center for Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety, Chair of the TRB Pedestrian Committee, and Associate Professor at the University of New Mexico. Nick explains why relying only on crash data misses many of the most dangerous corridors and how “latent demand” can help identify streets that are unsafe precisely because people avoid them. The conversation covers proactive tools like pedestrian level of traffic stress, the equity implications of unsafe infrastructure, and why arterials require more than incremental fixes. Nick also shares findings from Albuquerque’s BRT corridor, including major reductions in serious injuries and fatalities, and what it will take to design streets that work for walking, biking, and transit.