1 00:00:05,000 --> 00:00:08,629 Veronica Vanterpool is the Acting Administrator of the U. 2 00:00:08,629 --> 00:00:08,850 S. 3 00:00:08,860 --> 00:00:12,610 Federal Transit Administration, and we talked to her on today's episode 4 00:00:12,610 --> 00:00:14,649 of the Transit Unplugged podcast. 5 00:00:14,669 --> 00:00:17,994 I'm Paul Comfort, and I thought it was important for us to kind of have 6 00:00:17,994 --> 00:00:21,095 a wrap up of the last four years of the Biden Administration before we 7 00:00:21,095 --> 00:00:22,645 head into the Trump Administration. 8 00:00:23,014 --> 00:00:28,164 Talk about what the FTA has been doing and Veronica tells us about their new 9 00:00:28,174 --> 00:00:31,464 programs they've been running such as the Low and No Emission Program, 10 00:00:31,464 --> 00:00:35,044 the Rail Vehicle Replacements, the All Stations Accessibilities, the 11 00:00:35,044 --> 00:00:36,954 Ferry Program, the Tribal Transit. 12 00:00:37,274 --> 00:00:41,634 We dive into all of it in detail and actually, Veronica explains how the 13 00:00:41,634 --> 00:00:46,414 FTA works and the role of the regional administrators and how they operate in 14 00:00:46,414 --> 00:00:48,364 this system here in the United States. 15 00:00:48,434 --> 00:00:51,564 Plus we take a look at what we think the future of public transportation will hold. 16 00:00:51,784 --> 00:00:56,234 All that on this episode of Transit Unplugged with Veronica Vanderpool, 17 00:00:56,235 --> 00:00:59,909 the Acting Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration. 18 00:01:00,059 --> 00:01:00,659 Enjoy. 19 00:01:04,021 --> 00:01:07,071 Great to have with us on the program today, my friend, Veronica Vanterpool, 20 00:01:07,091 --> 00:01:09,231 who is Acting Administrator of the U. 21 00:01:09,231 --> 00:01:09,421 S. 22 00:01:09,431 --> 00:01:10,931 Federal Transit Administration. 23 00:01:11,161 --> 00:01:12,321 Veronica, thanks for being on the show. 24 00:01:12,622 --> 00:01:14,042 Well, thank you for having me. 25 00:01:14,272 --> 00:01:18,212 Yeah, so I thought, you know, we ought to have you on to talk about 26 00:01:18,242 --> 00:01:22,302 the last four years of what's been going on in public transportation. 27 00:01:22,302 --> 00:01:25,132 I mean, it's been some of the most challenging years coming out of 28 00:01:25,142 --> 00:01:29,062 the pandemic, but also some of the most eventful years with all the 29 00:01:29,072 --> 00:01:32,692 money coming from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act and the movements. 30 00:01:32,692 --> 00:01:36,502 And it seems like every week, Veronica, you've been in a different city, you know, 31 00:01:36,522 --> 00:01:39,812 cutting a ribbon or giving a big check and your predecessor, the same thing. 32 00:01:39,812 --> 00:01:41,162 It's been a lot going on, hasn't there? 33 00:01:41,602 --> 00:01:46,092 There sure has been a lot to be proud of, a lot that we're glad to 34 00:01:46,102 --> 00:01:51,122 be touting and noting its progress so much over the past four years. 35 00:01:51,122 --> 00:01:52,712 We're leaving quite a legacy behind. 36 00:01:53,012 --> 00:01:56,272 As you and I are recording this, which will be one week from when we air 37 00:01:56,272 --> 00:02:00,582 it it's the Monday when we've got a big snowstorm coming, the first big 38 00:02:00,582 --> 00:02:04,012 snow we've had in years, and there's hundreds, if not thousands, of people 39 00:02:04,022 --> 00:02:05,262 joining you in Washington, D.C. 40 00:02:05,282 --> 00:02:08,342 For the TRB conference and all the receptions that are going to go on. 41 00:02:08,732 --> 00:02:11,842 And we were going to do this in person in your office, which I appreciate the 42 00:02:11,852 --> 00:02:15,352 invite, but with all the snow coming this morning, I'm, like, locked in here 43 00:02:15,352 --> 00:02:18,682 at my house, but public transportation, the reason I bring that up is because 44 00:02:18,697 --> 00:02:23,527 public transportation really plays a key, essential role in communities, especially 45 00:02:23,527 --> 00:02:27,107 in times of crisis or storms, natural disasters, those kind of things, right? 46 00:02:27,107 --> 00:02:30,047 And we've seen it do that over the last four years of your term. 47 00:02:30,347 --> 00:02:31,467 That is exactly right. 48 00:02:31,467 --> 00:02:33,807 In fact, we've seen some unprecedented events. 49 00:02:33,817 --> 00:02:36,557 So I've lived in DC now just about three and a half years. 50 00:02:36,857 --> 00:02:39,417 This is the first major snowfall that I've seen. 51 00:02:39,797 --> 00:02:45,477 And as you noted, this is a very big week in DC because of the TRB conference and 52 00:02:45,497 --> 00:02:47,577 activities and events are still ongoing. 53 00:02:47,587 --> 00:02:51,277 And I have no problem getting to my venue later because I'll 54 00:02:51,277 --> 00:02:53,697 be using WMATA's metro system. 55 00:02:53,737 --> 00:02:54,107 Right. 56 00:02:54,407 --> 00:02:58,887 And while federal offices are closed in the city and schools are closed 57 00:02:58,887 --> 00:03:03,017 and many businesses are closed, TRB is able to continue on because we 58 00:03:03,017 --> 00:03:08,467 have a functioning, strong, and well funded and invested transit network 59 00:03:08,487 --> 00:03:10,987 in the metro system operated by WMATA. 60 00:03:10,997 --> 00:03:15,597 So, I expect to have no problems getting in, but transit continues 61 00:03:15,597 --> 00:03:17,057 to serve as that lifeline. 62 00:03:17,277 --> 00:03:22,754 So, so many individuals who have to rely on a personal vehicle, you know, 63 00:03:22,764 --> 00:03:26,964 may not have that option of a transit system in their community, but those of 64 00:03:26,964 --> 00:03:31,794 us that do have that privilege and that option and that proximity, we're very 65 00:03:31,794 --> 00:03:35,074 fortunate to be able to say, I'm going to walk to my nearest metro station 66 00:03:35,224 --> 00:03:37,334 and hop on, you know, the next train. 67 00:03:37,634 --> 00:03:42,894 And it has actually allowed me, as the senior most official or the most official 68 00:03:42,974 --> 00:03:48,404 senior transit person in the country to not own a vehicle because I live in 69 00:03:48,644 --> 00:03:54,654 a community where I can take transit, I can walk, I can bike and when and if 70 00:03:54,654 --> 00:03:57,144 needed, I can use a rideshare vehicle. 71 00:03:57,324 --> 00:04:01,554 So I have a lot of options, but I recognize communities across the United 72 00:04:01,554 --> 00:04:05,054 States don't always have those options, and that's really what the Federal 73 00:04:05,054 --> 00:04:06,974 Transit Administration tries to do. 74 00:04:07,164 --> 00:04:08,884 Yeah, let's talk about that. 75 00:04:09,164 --> 00:04:13,944 Yes, our mission is to improve America's communities through public transportation. 76 00:04:14,284 --> 00:04:18,379 So, We are a very unique structure in this country. 77 00:04:18,379 --> 00:04:23,329 Many countries do not have a federalized agency that is supporting 78 00:04:23,459 --> 00:04:28,389 public transportation in the ways that we do across 50 different 79 00:04:28,389 --> 00:04:32,879 states, different territories, across different geographies and certainly 80 00:04:32,879 --> 00:04:37,309 many different constituencies and abilities and modes of public transit. 81 00:04:37,609 --> 00:04:45,369 We use taxpayer dollars, federal funds, to support over 3, 500 recipients. 82 00:04:45,549 --> 00:04:51,069 So that is mostly transit agencies or state departments of transportation or 83 00:04:51,069 --> 00:04:53,219 metropolitan planning organizations. 84 00:04:53,229 --> 00:04:57,029 So we do not support non profits generally. 85 00:04:57,329 --> 00:05:03,109 There's some programs within FTA that do support those entities, but by and 86 00:05:03,109 --> 00:05:08,209 large, most of our funding goes to those three agencies groups of recipients. 87 00:05:08,499 --> 00:05:12,249 And we work with them to make sure that they are delivering 88 00:05:12,249 --> 00:05:13,729 their projects on time. 89 00:05:13,959 --> 00:05:19,599 So we also have sort of, our grant funding buckets are competitive, 90 00:05:19,609 --> 00:05:21,119 but they're also through formula. 91 00:05:21,449 --> 00:05:25,879 So formulas are set by Congress and they're based on population and 92 00:05:25,879 --> 00:05:29,539 vehicle miles traveled and communities throughout the United States 93 00:05:29,539 --> 00:05:32,159 receive those funds automatically. 94 00:05:32,509 --> 00:05:37,559 But on the grant program side those different entities compete for very 95 00:05:37,769 --> 00:05:44,084 limited dollars and very competitive programs for funding to support let's 96 00:05:44,084 --> 00:05:51,074 say a new rail extension, or a new bus rapid transit route, or to plan 97 00:05:51,104 --> 00:05:53,034 for transit oriented development. 98 00:05:53,194 --> 00:05:57,274 So we are really changing mobility throughout the United States by the 99 00:05:57,274 --> 00:05:59,194 way that we direct our federal funds. 100 00:05:59,494 --> 00:06:00,064 That's something. 101 00:06:00,424 --> 00:06:03,554 You know, in a lot of countries, the federal government might be involved 102 00:06:03,674 --> 00:06:07,574 only in capital dollars coming to, for instance, Canada was until the 103 00:06:07,574 --> 00:06:11,344 pandemic where they only gave capital dollars but it's different in the U. 104 00:06:11,344 --> 00:06:11,514 S. 105 00:06:11,514 --> 00:06:14,574 in that there are operating dollars coming to, to support that. 106 00:06:14,574 --> 00:06:15,554 That's very interesting. 107 00:06:15,854 --> 00:06:19,534 There are operating dollars to support communities throughout the United States, 108 00:06:19,554 --> 00:06:21,684 but not in some of the larger cities. 109 00:06:21,964 --> 00:06:23,694 So operating support. 110 00:06:23,949 --> 00:06:28,429 Does not go to cities with a population of 200, 000 or more. 111 00:06:28,569 --> 00:06:31,659 So that would cover many of our major metropolises. 112 00:06:31,969 --> 00:06:34,649 Of course, the New York Cities and the Philadelphias and the 113 00:06:34,649 --> 00:06:36,429 Chicagos and the Los Angeles. 114 00:06:36,829 --> 00:06:42,489 But what's notable is that many of these communities are looking at ways 115 00:06:42,499 --> 00:06:45,809 to support the operating side, and operating is incredibly important. 116 00:06:45,829 --> 00:06:47,089 It is really the day to day. 117 00:06:47,089 --> 00:06:52,859 It supports salaries, it supports maintenance, it supports fuel it 118 00:06:52,859 --> 00:06:57,709 supports you know, a number of the expenses associated with getting vehicles 119 00:06:58,019 --> 00:07:01,669 out on the road to move, you know, millions of people every single day. 120 00:07:01,969 --> 00:07:05,909 But we do support a good amount of communities that are smaller than 121 00:07:05,919 --> 00:07:08,239 200, 000 with operating assistance. 122 00:07:08,249 --> 00:07:08,609 Yes. 123 00:07:08,659 --> 00:07:09,649 You know, I remember I used to 124 00:07:09,649 --> 00:07:11,379 get some money and I, I appreciated it. 125 00:07:11,679 --> 00:07:15,609 And, you know, I'm glad that, that you note that Paul, because these are the 126 00:07:15,649 --> 00:07:21,759 communities that are really providing bus workhorse for many of these rural 127 00:07:21,759 --> 00:07:27,469 communities or tribal communities where, you know, we are able to ensure 128 00:07:27,469 --> 00:07:32,619 that there is some sustenance into the day to day operations of these smaller 129 00:07:32,669 --> 00:07:34,259 systems across the United States. 130 00:07:34,559 --> 00:07:34,809 Yeah. 131 00:07:34,809 --> 00:07:38,359 And, you know, state of good repair and the capital investments that we 132 00:07:38,369 --> 00:07:41,609 have seen a lot of money come out over the last four years to help us with. 133 00:07:42,039 --> 00:07:44,669 I mean, that's really what what's going on in New York City right now. 134 00:07:44,669 --> 00:07:47,169 I don't know if you want to comment on it, but this is a very interesting week 135 00:07:47,169 --> 00:07:51,049 as well, because it's the first week for congestion charging to come to the U. 136 00:07:51,049 --> 00:07:51,359 S. 137 00:07:51,639 --> 00:07:52,769 Of course, they have it in London. 138 00:07:52,769 --> 00:07:54,139 I've seen it there in operation. 139 00:07:54,489 --> 00:07:57,639 I've been to Singapore and seen it in operation there and heard from Jeremy 140 00:07:57,639 --> 00:08:01,229 Yap and how it invests, that investment in their system is so key and important. 141 00:08:01,529 --> 00:08:03,629 And in big cities, like you mentioned, that don't get it. 142 00:08:03,729 --> 00:08:07,689 Operating dollars, they still have even bigger needs for capital investments. 143 00:08:07,689 --> 00:08:10,699 And that's where all the money, right, from the congestion charging 144 00:08:10,699 --> 00:08:12,189 is supposed to go in New York City. 145 00:08:12,489 --> 00:08:13,049 Indeed. 146 00:08:13,059 --> 00:08:15,499 In fact New York City is my home. 147 00:08:15,529 --> 00:08:19,459 I was born and raised and, in fact, have lived most of my life in New York. 148 00:08:19,774 --> 00:08:25,344 I actually moved from New York in 2020, so not that long ago and, and I have 149 00:08:25,344 --> 00:08:29,374 a special relationship with public transportation, not just as a user of 150 00:08:29,374 --> 00:08:33,814 the system all of my life having grown up in The Bronx, one of the five boroughs 151 00:08:33,814 --> 00:08:38,284 of New York City, but having been an advocate for public transportation 152 00:08:38,294 --> 00:08:43,214 since 2007, and funny enough, I was an advocate for congestion pricing. 153 00:08:43,214 --> 00:08:44,984 That's how I started my career. 154 00:08:45,044 --> 00:08:45,644 Is that right? 155 00:08:45,644 --> 00:08:49,744 In public transportation at the time Mayor Bloomberg was in office 156 00:08:49,784 --> 00:08:54,264 and he had proposed a sweeping environmental blueprint plan NYC. 157 00:08:54,564 --> 00:09:00,494 And congestion pricing was just one of 127 initiatives proposed at the time. 158 00:09:00,864 --> 00:09:06,624 So I have been working as many advocates have since that time and even before 2007 159 00:09:07,504 --> 00:09:12,074 when it was first introduced or, you know, some would even say reintroduced because 160 00:09:12,074 --> 00:09:16,884 it's a concept that had been debated in New York City and the region for decades. 161 00:09:17,244 --> 00:09:22,444 But yes, a pivotal moment for New York City as it launched this congestion 162 00:09:22,454 --> 00:09:26,544 pricing program just yesterday, and I served on the board of New York's MTA, 163 00:09:27,154 --> 00:09:31,554 which is the largest transportation network in this country, for just about 164 00:09:31,554 --> 00:09:37,539 four years, so I'm, and also gave the deciding vote to launch congestion pricing 165 00:09:37,539 --> 00:09:39,189 when I was really, I didn't know that. 166 00:09:39,219 --> 00:09:39,789 Wow. 167 00:09:39,819 --> 00:09:40,209 So, 168 00:09:40,209 --> 00:09:46,479 A very interesting and exciting moment for those of us to strongly believe in raising 169 00:09:46,509 --> 00:09:50,769 dedicated funds for public transportation and looking at ways of improving 170 00:09:50,769 --> 00:09:54,669 road safety and reducing congestion and improving environmental quality. 171 00:09:55,029 --> 00:09:59,748 So for many of us who believe in you know, that program, it's certainly. 172 00:10:00,048 --> 00:10:03,998 It's nice to see it take off, but to your point, Paul, transit systems do 173 00:10:03,998 --> 00:10:09,108 need dedicated support for the capital programs of public transportation. 174 00:10:09,398 --> 00:10:14,058 That is what really helps provide more service to more people in 175 00:10:14,058 --> 00:10:18,558 cities across America through the expansion of existing transit or 176 00:10:18,558 --> 00:10:20,788 the launch of new transit projects. 177 00:10:21,068 --> 00:10:25,768 And you need capital dollars and New York, as many states in this country, 178 00:10:25,768 --> 00:10:31,038 Washington State recently passed some legislation to invest significantly 179 00:10:31,058 --> 00:10:36,398 in public transportation, but New York State, Washington State many others 180 00:10:36,438 --> 00:10:41,978 have really committed to funding public transportation on the capital side and 181 00:10:41,978 --> 00:10:46,938 it does need a combination of federal support, state support, and local support. 182 00:10:47,323 --> 00:10:49,013 Yeah, I do want to comment on that. 183 00:10:49,043 --> 00:10:52,483 I think you know, but for five years, I worked in Washington, D.C. 184 00:10:52,933 --> 00:10:56,133 As a contractor with MV Transportation running the paratransit system, 185 00:10:56,133 --> 00:10:59,233 the ADA paratransit, and it was you know, one of the highlights of my 186 00:10:59,233 --> 00:11:02,863 career, and I was so happy that, you know, you guys have funded it. 187 00:11:03,033 --> 00:11:06,973 Almost a hundred stations across America to upgrade them, making 188 00:11:06,973 --> 00:11:09,833 them accessible for the very first time for people with disabilities. 189 00:11:09,833 --> 00:11:13,543 These were stations that were built before the ADA was passed in 1990. 190 00:11:13,783 --> 00:11:16,673 But I want to thank you because I'm a passionate advocate for the needs of 191 00:11:16,673 --> 00:11:18,233 people with disabilities and the elderly. 192 00:11:18,593 --> 00:11:21,553 I feel like they're the ones that really need our services the most, 193 00:11:21,763 --> 00:11:23,963 and so we need to give them the most. 194 00:11:24,263 --> 00:11:26,283 You know, we need to reach out to them further. 195 00:11:26,433 --> 00:11:28,513 There may be other folks who say, here, we're going to make sure that 196 00:11:28,523 --> 00:11:31,223 you definitely can use this because without it, you could be stuck. 197 00:11:31,453 --> 00:11:34,053 You know, you could be like, you know, it's like a lot of people are today. 198 00:11:34,053 --> 00:11:36,083 Like I am right now, not able to get out of my house. 199 00:11:36,373 --> 00:11:41,013 So, but with that investment that has made, you know, probably hundreds 200 00:11:41,013 --> 00:11:43,963 of thousands of more people able to use public transportation. 201 00:11:44,263 --> 00:11:47,533 Absolutely, and I appreciate you noting accessibility. 202 00:11:47,533 --> 00:11:51,763 That has been a priority and a goal of this administration, but frankly, 203 00:11:51,773 --> 00:11:57,023 it should be a priority and a goal of every administration, of every federal 204 00:11:57,023 --> 00:12:01,833 transit program, because what it does, it strengthens our economies to make sure 205 00:12:02,133 --> 00:12:07,023 All members of our communities can be active members of their their society. 206 00:12:07,043 --> 00:12:10,463 They can participate in church activities and school activities and 207 00:12:10,493 --> 00:12:14,363 connect with each other, and especially connecting with everything that matters. 208 00:12:14,683 --> 00:12:19,153 And through our All Stations Accessibility Program, the one that you largely 209 00:12:19,163 --> 00:12:24,523 referenced, We have been able to update nearly 100 stations across the country. 210 00:12:24,523 --> 00:12:28,033 Many of them are still in development in progress, but putting these 211 00:12:28,063 --> 00:12:31,653 funds, particularly towards some of these stations and communities 212 00:12:32,033 --> 00:12:37,563 that have the oldest rail and train infrastructure, makes a big difference. 213 00:12:37,833 --> 00:12:42,753 You know, this, this means that someone who may be mobility impaired 214 00:12:42,863 --> 00:12:49,013 doesn't have to skip three station stops in order to get to work or to 215 00:12:49,013 --> 00:12:50,813 connect to their doctor appointment. 216 00:12:50,833 --> 00:12:54,613 It may mean that they can walk to the station stop in their 217 00:12:54,633 --> 00:12:56,883 neighborhood and get on a train there. 218 00:12:57,173 --> 00:12:57,403 That's right. 219 00:12:57,703 --> 00:13:01,213 This is a time savings, but it's also important again to making 220 00:13:01,213 --> 00:13:05,403 sure that people have access to opportunities, that they can work at 221 00:13:05,403 --> 00:13:07,093 their local library if they chose. 222 00:13:07,363 --> 00:13:12,153 And while this is particularly important for those who are older, those living 223 00:13:12,153 --> 00:13:15,313 with disabilities, it's important for people who've just broken their 224 00:13:15,313 --> 00:13:17,683 foot and are in crutches for the day. 225 00:13:17,983 --> 00:13:23,683 Or a parent who is pushing a stroller and wants to take, you know, their child to 226 00:13:23,683 --> 00:13:26,543 the zoo and does not want to drive, right? 227 00:13:26,763 --> 00:13:33,063 So, this, these deliver benefits for so many individuals beyond those who are 228 00:13:33,063 --> 00:13:36,423 most reliant on public transportation, and we're really proud of that. 229 00:13:36,723 --> 00:13:38,853 Let's talk for a minute about, if you would, about the 230 00:13:38,853 --> 00:13:40,013 low and no emission grants. 231 00:13:40,013 --> 00:13:44,873 That's been another key initiative of the Biden administration and DOT and FTA. 232 00:13:45,143 --> 00:13:46,613 I mean, five billion dollars. 233 00:13:46,643 --> 00:13:47,293 Come on now. 234 00:13:47,593 --> 00:13:50,033 That's a significant investment, Paul. 235 00:13:50,313 --> 00:13:56,333 And it's really an investment in reducing pollution in communities across America, 236 00:13:56,363 --> 00:14:01,293 in every size community, whether you're a small rural community, to one of the 237 00:14:01,303 --> 00:14:06,953 biggest cities across the United States and reducing pollution is everyone's goal. 238 00:14:06,963 --> 00:14:10,913 No one wants to be in a community or live in a community or work in a 239 00:14:10,913 --> 00:14:13,223 community where air quality is bad. 240 00:14:13,503 --> 00:14:16,707 And you certainly don't want to be a user of a city. 241 00:14:16,708 --> 00:14:21,113 So we have a system um, where you have outdated vehicles, right? 242 00:14:21,153 --> 00:14:26,643 Our personal vehicles have been upgraded with the latest and cleanest technology. 243 00:14:26,643 --> 00:14:29,543 We've seen cars get cleaner over generations. 244 00:14:29,843 --> 00:14:35,483 And we are now investing in buses and other transit modes to get cleaner 245 00:14:35,513 --> 00:14:37,513 in the same way with new technology. 246 00:14:37,803 --> 00:14:43,868 So we've spent a lot of money, 5 billion, and on buses and in buses to upgrade 247 00:14:43,868 --> 00:14:45,598 to the newest cleanest technology. 248 00:14:46,008 --> 00:14:51,968 In doing so we're supporting an American base of manufacturing buses domestically 249 00:14:51,968 --> 00:14:53,908 producing in the United States. 250 00:14:54,188 --> 00:14:59,268 So in this administration we would have had nearly 6, 000 buses 251 00:14:59,338 --> 00:15:03,968 either operating on the on the ground ordered or manufactured. 252 00:15:03,978 --> 00:15:07,158 It's almost 6, 000 in that those three buckets. 253 00:15:07,603 --> 00:15:09,853 From our 5 billion investment. 254 00:15:10,203 --> 00:15:16,028 And, you know, what that means is we are making it easier for communities 255 00:15:16,028 --> 00:15:20,758 to achieve so many goals and again, making sure that our communities remain 256 00:15:20,998 --> 00:15:22,618 healthy communities for everyone. 257 00:15:22,888 --> 00:15:27,308 So very, very proud of that investment, very proud to support domestic 258 00:15:27,308 --> 00:15:29,268 manufacturing in this country. 259 00:15:29,608 --> 00:15:34,518 American made buses is a very big deal but then again, really proud to be reducing 260 00:15:34,518 --> 00:15:36,488 pollution in the ways that we have been. 261 00:15:36,788 --> 00:15:40,498 One last specific program I want to call out because it means a lot to me. 262 00:15:40,498 --> 00:15:43,848 I started my career in rural, right here in Queen Anne's County, Maryland, 263 00:15:43,988 --> 00:15:47,808 in rural America, running a small bus system, but another one that doesn't get 264 00:15:47,808 --> 00:15:49,338 a lot of attention is tribal transit. 265 00:15:49,348 --> 00:15:53,618 My good friend Kendra Sue McGady Scott Bogen, of CTAA, all them, you know the. 266 00:15:53,913 --> 00:15:54,983 This is their passion. 267 00:15:54,983 --> 00:15:58,850 Obviously, Kendra works there Pelavan Transit and you all have increased 268 00:15:58,850 --> 00:16:03,410 funding by 31 percent to help tribal transit, and this is an area, again, 269 00:16:03,670 --> 00:16:07,290 where without this service people could be stuck and not be able to have any 270 00:16:07,290 --> 00:16:10,940 mobility, and we know that mobility equals life, so you've got to have 271 00:16:10,940 --> 00:16:15,110 mobility to really live a full life and to enjoy all that life has to offer, 272 00:16:15,110 --> 00:16:16,630 and, and you've helped make that happen. 273 00:16:16,630 --> 00:16:17,440 Thank you, Veronica. 274 00:16:17,740 --> 00:16:18,390 Thank you, Paul. 275 00:16:18,390 --> 00:16:21,250 And, you know, I want to note quite a few things on this. 276 00:16:21,250 --> 00:16:23,780 So, Scott and Kendra, I know well. 277 00:16:23,800 --> 00:16:28,190 They are wonderful, wonderful advocates for rural and tribal communities. 278 00:16:28,190 --> 00:16:31,670 We're so glad to have had their partnership in so many of our 279 00:16:31,670 --> 00:16:35,290 initiatives and glad to see them advance so much of their work. 280 00:16:35,590 --> 00:16:39,330 We have really put a great deal of emphasis on making it 281 00:16:39,390 --> 00:16:44,960 easier for tribal communities to successfully compete for this money. 282 00:16:45,210 --> 00:16:51,530 So one way we've done that is we've actually eliminated the local match for 283 00:16:51,890 --> 00:16:56,200 tribal communities because typically when the federal government invests 284 00:16:56,200 --> 00:17:03,459 and FTA invests, we do an 80 20 split and we expect local communities to to 285 00:17:03,609 --> 00:17:06,529 contribute 20 percent of the project cost. 286 00:17:06,789 --> 00:17:11,769 We want to know that there is local support for our federal investment, 287 00:17:12,119 --> 00:17:14,999 but for tribal communities that can be more challenging for them 288 00:17:14,999 --> 00:17:16,739 to generate that local match. 289 00:17:16,939 --> 00:17:21,199 So we very successfully in this administration waived that local 290 00:17:21,199 --> 00:17:22,549 match for tribal communities. 291 00:17:22,629 --> 00:17:26,789 So what that means is they're able to keep the federal dollars without the 292 00:17:26,799 --> 00:17:28,759 pressure of having to meet that match. 293 00:17:29,149 --> 00:17:33,069 We've also made it so much easier to apply for these funds. 294 00:17:33,379 --> 00:17:39,489 So we have reformatted the tribal application so it is so much simpler. 295 00:17:39,659 --> 00:17:41,209 We've reduced the word count. 296 00:17:41,229 --> 00:17:43,219 We've taken out the jargon. 297 00:17:43,479 --> 00:17:48,879 We have made it an easier fillable PDF and that's important because what we've 298 00:17:48,879 --> 00:17:50,999 learned in many tribal communities is. 299 00:17:51,419 --> 00:17:54,829 They're all different sizes with all different sorts of resources. 300 00:17:55,059 --> 00:17:59,229 Some of the bigger tribes have resources for grant writing. 301 00:17:59,499 --> 00:18:04,399 Some of the smaller sometimes they close because of salmon fishing season. 302 00:18:04,829 --> 00:18:06,869 And they need to get to that point. 303 00:18:07,714 --> 00:18:11,684 So they are not working and competing for federal grants during that time. 304 00:18:11,984 --> 00:18:16,304 So, you know, we, we recognize that we want to get this money 305 00:18:16,344 --> 00:18:17,854 into these tribal communities. 306 00:18:18,094 --> 00:18:22,404 I've had the privilege and the benefit in my role to travel 307 00:18:22,614 --> 00:18:23,844 across the United States. 308 00:18:23,864 --> 00:18:29,424 And I was able to visit Coeur d'Alene in Idaho and a transit service 309 00:18:29,424 --> 00:18:34,844 that's provided by a tribe there and the connection of that service 310 00:18:35,014 --> 00:18:37,624 to the local reservations, right? 311 00:18:37,804 --> 00:18:42,594 Without this service that is supported by Federal Transit Administration, there 312 00:18:42,594 --> 00:18:48,594 would not be a bus to bring members of the community to very needed employment 313 00:18:48,644 --> 00:18:50,404 in the reservations and elsewhere. 314 00:18:50,654 --> 00:18:54,534 Without that bus, They would have to find an alternative means that 315 00:18:54,534 --> 00:18:59,354 would be more costly because it would largely depend on, you know, a private 316 00:18:59,354 --> 00:19:01,554 vehicle or sharing a vehicle, etc. 317 00:19:01,854 --> 00:19:03,224 We're really proud of that. 318 00:19:03,224 --> 00:19:06,494 We're proud of making those connections, particularly in our 319 00:19:06,494 --> 00:19:08,044 tribal and rural communities. 320 00:19:08,364 --> 00:19:10,804 We could talk about so many more of the things that have been done, but 321 00:19:10,804 --> 00:19:13,624 let's dive into a little bit about your background and maybe a little 322 00:19:13,624 --> 00:19:16,974 bit more, if you don't mind, about the structure of the FTA and how it works, 323 00:19:16,984 --> 00:19:20,594 what the role of the administrator is, what are these regional administrators? 324 00:19:20,594 --> 00:19:23,314 I know people in Australia may not understand that, but we've got 325 00:19:23,314 --> 00:19:24,864 the country broken into regions. 326 00:19:25,034 --> 00:19:26,474 Can you walk through that some a little bit and then 327 00:19:26,474 --> 00:19:27,484 let's go into your background? 328 00:19:27,614 --> 00:19:29,464 What do you do day to day as the administrator? 329 00:19:29,464 --> 00:19:30,134 Let's start with that. 330 00:19:30,134 --> 00:19:30,774 What's your role? 331 00:19:31,074 --> 00:19:35,154 My day to day is working with a really talented team across the United 332 00:19:35,154 --> 00:19:38,484 States of 700 plus FTA employees. 333 00:19:38,784 --> 00:19:44,074 We have a dedicated team of individuals who come from all sorts of backgrounds, 334 00:19:44,394 --> 00:19:51,694 legal, planning, Advocacy, non profit, financial, who all share in the same 335 00:19:51,704 --> 00:19:54,434 mission, and that's really, again, to improve America's communities 336 00:19:54,444 --> 00:19:55,624 through public transportation. 337 00:19:55,914 --> 00:19:58,564 So, we are headquartered in Washington D.C. 338 00:19:58,894 --> 00:20:03,064 In the Department of Transportation headquartered building, and within 339 00:20:03,064 --> 00:20:05,624 the Department of Transportation, I'll start very high level. 340 00:20:05,624 --> 00:20:07,884 There's nine different agencies, if you will. 341 00:20:08,134 --> 00:20:12,344 Federal Transit is one of those nine Federal Aviation is another of those 342 00:20:12,344 --> 00:20:17,414 nine, Federal Rail, et cetera, and we, we partner across many initiatives. 343 00:20:17,414 --> 00:20:22,804 There's obviously a lot of intersectional work amongst all of the nine, but FTA is 344 00:20:22,814 --> 00:20:27,314 broken into 10 regional offices across the United States, and each of those 345 00:20:27,334 --> 00:20:29,614 regional offices handles many states. 346 00:20:29,914 --> 00:20:32,554 And each office is based in a hub. 347 00:20:32,804 --> 00:20:38,224 So, we have hubs, for example, in Denver, Colorado, or Los Angeles, 348 00:20:38,244 --> 00:20:42,134 California Washington, D.C., as I noted, Chicago, Illinois. 349 00:20:42,504 --> 00:20:45,234 And our regional administrators lead a team. 350 00:20:45,659 --> 00:20:48,759 And the team varies in size you know, anywhere from, you know, 351 00:20:48,759 --> 00:20:51,109 20 to 60 members of the team. 352 00:20:51,409 --> 00:20:56,489 And what that regional team led by the regional administrator does is 353 00:20:56,499 --> 00:21:00,999 they guide our federal investment in that region across those states 354 00:21:00,999 --> 00:21:02,309 that they're responsible for. 355 00:21:02,599 --> 00:21:07,669 So they're really working closely with those recipients of federal 356 00:21:07,669 --> 00:21:09,329 transit administration funds. 357 00:21:09,339 --> 00:21:14,264 So again, those Transit agencies, those state departments of transportation, 358 00:21:14,264 --> 00:21:18,624 those metropolitan planning organizations, and they're working with them to make 359 00:21:18,624 --> 00:21:21,694 sure that they are meeting all the federal requirements, such as our 360 00:21:21,694 --> 00:21:27,396 environmental regulations under NEPA, our National Environmental Policy Act. 361 00:21:27,696 --> 00:21:30,876 They're making sure that they're meeting civil rights obligations. 362 00:21:31,126 --> 00:21:34,066 They're making sure they're meeting the legal requirements of the grants. 363 00:21:34,406 --> 00:21:37,156 But they're also doing some hand holding. 364 00:21:37,456 --> 00:21:41,306 answering very technical questions from the project sponsors. 365 00:21:41,586 --> 00:21:46,826 So our teams are comprised of experts who are engineers, who are experts 366 00:21:46,846 --> 00:21:51,946 in project management and oversight, who are experts in legal work, who 367 00:21:51,946 --> 00:21:57,696 are working with Transit Agency X to fulfill the requirements of the grant. 368 00:21:57,921 --> 00:22:03,501 To deliver the best project for the community and to answer questions 369 00:22:03,501 --> 00:22:07,931 that make them competitive for the next grants that they're applying for. 370 00:22:08,161 --> 00:22:10,971 You'll remember that I said we give out money in two buckets. 371 00:22:11,271 --> 00:22:16,841 Automatic formula funding and then The competitive funding, and many of these 372 00:22:16,841 --> 00:22:22,821 transit recipients want to continue to compete successfully for the next, 373 00:22:23,081 --> 00:22:27,291 you know, competitive grant cycles, and our team in the regions know them 374 00:22:27,321 --> 00:22:29,091 intimately and work closely with them. 375 00:22:29,311 --> 00:22:31,211 In many ways, they're their advocates. 376 00:22:31,511 --> 00:22:36,411 Our regional administrator and teams, they want to see these projects done 377 00:22:36,411 --> 00:22:39,811 well, and I think that's something that's incredibly important. 378 00:22:39,851 --> 00:22:45,431 Many people see federal government as bureaucratic and sometimes oppositional, 379 00:22:45,641 --> 00:22:51,171 but our team is really the best advocate for transit projects in their region. 380 00:22:51,181 --> 00:22:54,651 They want to see those projects delivered well because we've made 381 00:22:54,651 --> 00:22:58,571 an investment and we like to see a good ROI on our investment and we 382 00:22:58,571 --> 00:23:00,081 like to see successful projects. 383 00:23:00,381 --> 00:23:00,831 That's good. 384 00:23:00,861 --> 00:23:04,491 I think one other note to make is that they're not politically appointed, right? 385 00:23:04,491 --> 00:23:06,531 They're, they are, what do you call that? 386 00:23:06,531 --> 00:23:07,501 Civil service, right? 387 00:23:07,951 --> 00:23:08,421 Yes. 388 00:23:08,471 --> 00:23:09,501 They're civil servants. 389 00:23:09,501 --> 00:23:14,001 They're career employees and many of them bring decades and 390 00:23:14,001 --> 00:23:15,951 many of them are new to the work. 391 00:23:16,121 --> 00:23:17,611 But yes, they are there politically. 392 00:23:17,726 --> 00:23:22,036 over many, many years, so they've acquired a good deal of expertise, 393 00:23:22,066 --> 00:23:26,606 but local regional knowledge that we in headquarters don't have. 394 00:23:26,826 --> 00:23:32,696 So many times I am out on the road, people will come over to me and say, I have 395 00:23:32,706 --> 00:23:37,856 this very specific question, or I am not sure how to do X, and my first question 396 00:23:37,856 --> 00:23:42,696 to them is, well, have you met and or engaged with your regional administrator? 397 00:23:42,696 --> 00:23:46,971 Because they're the first place you should start and we in headquarters 398 00:23:47,021 --> 00:23:50,951 are not making decisions without engaging with our regional team. 399 00:23:51,331 --> 00:23:52,831 They're the experts in the region. 400 00:23:53,131 --> 00:23:56,461 Like one you recently hired, Kerry Butler in Region 7, an expert who's 401 00:23:56,461 --> 00:23:58,311 been CEO of a number of agencies. 402 00:23:58,611 --> 00:24:02,781 When I visit these transit association conferences across the country where I 403 00:24:02,781 --> 00:24:06,151 speak, there almost always is a regional administrator there as one of the main 404 00:24:06,151 --> 00:24:11,241 speakers explaining all the latest down into the nitty gritty details about how 405 00:24:11,241 --> 00:24:13,151 to apply for grants, what's available. 406 00:24:13,371 --> 00:24:17,701 It's one of the most popular sessions of every state transit association conference 407 00:24:17,701 --> 00:24:20,871 is when the Regional Administrator talks because they're explaining to 408 00:24:20,871 --> 00:24:23,661 them, you know, how to access and tap into those federal resources. 409 00:24:23,961 --> 00:24:24,661 That's right. 410 00:24:24,961 --> 00:24:28,291 And when we're selecting these regional administrators, and I've been involved 411 00:24:28,291 --> 00:24:32,351 in a number of interviews over these four years, we're selecting the very 412 00:24:32,351 --> 00:24:37,171 best individuals who know public transit well and come with stellar 413 00:24:37,171 --> 00:24:42,141 credentials, because we expect them to make decisions that reflect my 414 00:24:42,171 --> 00:24:47,101 decision or the administrator's decision during any given, you know, tenure. 415 00:24:47,221 --> 00:24:47,441 Yes. 416 00:24:47,481 --> 00:24:49,151 And they have to reflect. 417 00:24:49,246 --> 00:24:53,316 So, to reflect what overall FTA and what's coming from headquarters, 418 00:24:53,316 --> 00:24:55,986 they need to reflect and execute that at the regional level. 419 00:24:55,996 --> 00:25:01,036 So, we have the most exceptional leaders and I want to note that most 420 00:25:01,036 --> 00:25:05,006 of our leaders in the headquarters across the region are women. 421 00:25:05,306 --> 00:25:09,556 In fact FTA, a stat I'm very proud of more than 50 percent 422 00:25:09,646 --> 00:25:12,176 of our total workforce is women. 423 00:25:12,476 --> 00:25:12,706 That's 424 00:25:12,736 --> 00:25:14,736 really reflected in our leadership roles. 425 00:25:15,036 --> 00:25:15,446 Yeah. 426 00:25:15,816 --> 00:25:18,896 So, another thing, talking about a background experience, if 427 00:25:18,896 --> 00:25:20,816 you've got a few more minutes, let's talk about your background. 428 00:25:21,076 --> 00:25:24,936 So, I love the fact that you worked, you know, in transit not only the, 429 00:25:24,946 --> 00:25:27,906 what you've talked about in New York City, but I think I first became aware 430 00:25:27,906 --> 00:25:31,246 of you when you were working with my friend John Sisson in Delaware. 431 00:25:31,256 --> 00:25:33,686 You know, right next to where I'm at, I've, I've been very involved with 432 00:25:33,686 --> 00:25:36,936 Delaware Transit for many years, and being enrolled in Maryland and all. 433 00:25:37,086 --> 00:25:39,746 So, tell us something about your background, how you ended up first 434 00:25:39,746 --> 00:25:41,276 becoming the deputy and now acting. 435 00:25:41,576 --> 00:25:44,676 Well, you know, a very interesting path. 436 00:25:44,836 --> 00:25:46,386 My background is in environmental It always is, isn't 437 00:25:46,556 --> 00:25:46,666 it? 438 00:25:46,806 --> 00:25:47,386 Always. 439 00:25:47,396 --> 00:25:48,446 In transit, man. 440 00:25:48,446 --> 00:25:49,566 Our careers are wild. 441 00:25:49,866 --> 00:25:54,526 Well, I, my background is in environmental science and policy, and of course, we know 442 00:25:54,526 --> 00:25:58,546 the intersection there, but that's what I went to school for, and my early jobs 443 00:25:58,546 --> 00:26:02,986 were in environmental policy, but I, as I mentioned earlier, I'm a born and bred 444 00:26:02,986 --> 00:26:04,936 New Yorker, born and raised in The Bronx. 445 00:26:05,036 --> 00:26:06,106 I love saying that. 446 00:26:06,416 --> 00:26:12,146 I took three buses each way to high school and that was important for me. 447 00:26:12,166 --> 00:26:16,856 I, I knew the importance of public transportation because I relied on it. 448 00:26:17,156 --> 00:26:21,116 So that was very critical and crucial to the formation of my 449 00:26:21,476 --> 00:26:23,746 appreciation for public transportation. 450 00:26:24,156 --> 00:26:28,446 I, as I noted earlier, I actually transitioned into transportation 451 00:26:28,446 --> 00:26:33,646 in 2007 for a small non profit headquartered in Manhattan. 452 00:26:33,833 --> 00:26:37,583 And I started working on sustainable transportation broadly 453 00:26:37,813 --> 00:26:39,333 in the New York Metro Region. 454 00:26:39,333 --> 00:26:42,513 So that was all of New York State, New Jersey, Connecticut. 455 00:26:42,813 --> 00:26:45,973 And we looked at, of course, public transportation, but how 456 00:26:45,973 --> 00:26:48,583 to reduce deaths on our roadway. 457 00:26:48,813 --> 00:26:50,843 From, you know, vehicular collisions. 458 00:26:51,073 --> 00:26:55,013 How to invest sustainably in roads and bridges and fix it first. 459 00:26:55,408 --> 00:26:59,908 As opposed to, you know, expanding this infrastructure without investing 460 00:26:59,908 --> 00:27:01,308 in the existing infrastructure. 461 00:27:01,308 --> 00:27:05,898 So, I really developed a strong appreciation for the whole of the 462 00:27:05,898 --> 00:27:10,638 transportation network and providing a lot of different options for people to 463 00:27:10,638 --> 00:27:15,828 move around and why that so important important from, of course, tapping into 464 00:27:15,858 --> 00:27:20,458 my background in environmental science, right, important from issues of equity 465 00:27:20,458 --> 00:27:24,758 and accessibility, making sure everyone contributes in their communities and has 466 00:27:24,758 --> 00:27:29,388 ways of doing that but making sure that our economies were sound the economy of 467 00:27:29,398 --> 00:27:34,878 New York City, the economy of Chicago, of Philadelphia, of so many cities across 468 00:27:34,878 --> 00:27:37,158 the United States, and small ones as well. 469 00:27:37,493 --> 00:27:43,573 is dependent and or intertwined with public transportation when you 470 00:27:43,613 --> 00:27:45,233 make those investments, they matter. 471 00:27:45,573 --> 00:27:50,413 So I have always sought out work in public transportation. 472 00:27:50,413 --> 00:27:53,143 I did go from New York into Delaware. 473 00:27:53,153 --> 00:27:56,913 I served as its first Chief Innovation Officer at the 474 00:27:56,913 --> 00:27:58,443 Delaware Transit Corporation. 475 00:27:58,863 --> 00:28:04,773 And that was important because it gave me insight into launching a new transit 476 00:28:04,773 --> 00:28:10,013 service in a rural community that was agricultural that had a lot of migrant 477 00:28:10,043 --> 00:28:12,433 workers and why that was important. 478 00:28:12,773 --> 00:28:18,913 And then from there I moved into the role at FTA, but I come from the side of 479 00:28:18,913 --> 00:28:24,993 community engagements, public advocacy institutional coalition building, public 480 00:28:24,993 --> 00:28:29,583 policy campaigns, and working with every stakeholder, whether you're a community 481 00:28:29,613 --> 00:28:34,463 resident, or you're a governor, or you are a member of the federal delegation, 482 00:28:34,643 --> 00:28:36,643 my role was to engage with everyone. 483 00:28:36,883 --> 00:28:39,543 On these topics that are so important about mobility. 484 00:28:39,943 --> 00:28:44,743 And then here I am now at FTA in an acting administrator role because 485 00:28:44,793 --> 00:28:50,373 my predecessor Administrator Nuria Fernandez retired after an illustrious 486 00:28:50,373 --> 00:28:53,233 40 years plus in the transit industry. 487 00:28:53,643 --> 00:28:58,563 And I stepped up given that I was deputy to serve as acting throughout 488 00:28:58,563 --> 00:29:00,863 the remainder of this administration. 489 00:29:01,163 --> 00:29:01,673 It's wonderful. 490 00:29:01,673 --> 00:29:03,956 Well, thank you for spending some time with us today. 491 00:29:04,915 --> 00:29:08,479 Summary of what you feel like, you know, you've done so far, or look ahead 492 00:29:08,669 --> 00:29:10,129 into what you think is coming next. 493 00:29:10,429 --> 00:29:14,539 I want to note that in this administration, we've invested the 494 00:29:14,549 --> 00:29:17,489 most ever in public transportation. 495 00:29:17,609 --> 00:29:17,829 15. 496 00:29:17,869 --> 00:29:19,779 5 billion dollars. 497 00:29:20,209 --> 00:29:24,629 This has been an unprecedented time with unprecedented vision, 498 00:29:24,829 --> 00:29:30,489 unprecedented commitment, Unprecedented execution to so many shared goals 499 00:29:30,489 --> 00:29:35,059 across this country, strengthening communities, strengthening economies, 500 00:29:35,399 --> 00:29:37,309 providing opportunities for people. 501 00:29:37,319 --> 00:29:39,439 And that's what public transportation really does. 502 00:29:39,739 --> 00:29:46,129 So I am really proud to now lead a team that has been led by strong leaders before 503 00:29:46,429 --> 00:29:51,009 at this moment with the biggest investment in public transportation, thanks to 504 00:29:51,009 --> 00:29:53,129 the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 505 00:29:53,349 --> 00:29:55,519 Candidly, but 15. 506 00:29:55,569 --> 00:29:59,469 5 billion over four years invested to improve America's 507 00:29:59,499 --> 00:30:01,039 communities through public transit. 508 00:30:01,339 --> 00:30:04,139 I'm really proud of what we've accomplished, but I'm proud 509 00:30:04,139 --> 00:30:05,609 of the stories that I hear. 510 00:30:05,829 --> 00:30:06,889 I've traveled a lot. 511 00:30:06,919 --> 00:30:08,469 I've talked to a lot of people. 512 00:30:08,479 --> 00:30:11,919 I've ridden on buses with bus riders and asked them, what do 513 00:30:11,919 --> 00:30:13,079 you like about your commute? 514 00:30:13,219 --> 00:30:14,839 What don't you like about your commute? 515 00:30:15,139 --> 00:30:19,039 And that comes from my advocacy side as well, that connecting to people. 516 00:30:19,239 --> 00:30:20,349 But I hear you. 517 00:30:20,519 --> 00:30:23,949 The benefits of our investment from the people who use the systems 518 00:30:23,949 --> 00:30:27,849 themselves, and it is work that I'm really, really proud of. 519 00:30:27,849 --> 00:30:29,369 It is work that's in my blood. 520 00:30:29,669 --> 00:30:35,209 I am very proud of our team who's worked really hard to deliver four new programs 521 00:30:35,559 --> 00:30:38,199 and get so much more money out the door. 522 00:30:38,239 --> 00:30:42,949 We've made changes in this country and we expect those changes to 523 00:30:42,949 --> 00:30:45,009 continue to be made moving forward. 524 00:30:45,309 --> 00:30:45,979 That's wonderful. 525 00:30:45,989 --> 00:30:49,879 Well, Veronica, thank you for the role you've played over the last many years 526 00:30:49,879 --> 00:30:54,389 at FTA and before that, and I'm sure whatever the next chapter in your career 527 00:30:54,389 --> 00:30:58,219 holds, you'll continue to be a passionate advocate for public transportation. 528 00:30:58,519 --> 00:31:02,889 Thank you, Paul, and thank you for all of your work to highlight success stories 529 00:31:02,939 --> 00:31:07,879 of this industry, but for connecting so many people across the globe to make 530 00:31:07,879 --> 00:31:11,209 sure that we're connecting people to what matters through public transportation. 531 00:31:11,479 --> 00:31:12,529 Oh, thank you very much. 532 00:31:12,879 --> 00:31:16,529 Take care and have a good rest of your uh, TRB conference there in DC. 533 00:31:16,539 --> 00:31:17,109 Stay safe. 534 00:31:17,109 --> 00:31:17,632 Stay 535 00:31:17,632 --> 00:31:18,472 Thank you, Paul. 536 00:31:21,608 --> 00:31:25,178 Thank you for listening to this week's episode of Transit Unplugged with our 537 00:31:25,178 --> 00:31:29,448 special guest, Acting Administrator of the FTA, Veronica Vanterpool. 538 00:31:29,696 --> 00:31:34,026 Hi, I'm Tris Hussey, editor of the podcast, and coming up next week, we 539 00:31:34,026 --> 00:31:40,316 actually continue this conversation about serving others, and the role of transit in 540 00:31:40,316 --> 00:31:44,006 society with the CEO of UZURV Ned Freeman. 541 00:31:44,309 --> 00:31:49,819 Ned shares his passion for UZURV and the job it does, connecting people with public 542 00:31:49,819 --> 00:31:52,589 transit regardless of their abilities. 543 00:31:52,619 --> 00:31:57,328 Hey, do you know we have a really large and active community on LinkedIn? 544 00:31:57,708 --> 00:31:58,648 You should check it out. 545 00:31:58,978 --> 00:32:03,748 You can check out the newsletter, you can answer a poll, and you know we always 546 00:32:03,768 --> 00:32:08,298 post something interesting about the episodes, either the podcast or Transit 547 00:32:08,318 --> 00:32:10,888 Unplugged TV as soon as they come out. 548 00:32:11,127 --> 00:32:13,567 Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo. 549 00:32:13,892 --> 00:32:17,392 At Modaxo, we're passionate about moving the world's people, and at 550 00:32:17,392 --> 00:32:21,412 Transit Unplugged, we're passionate about telling those stories. 551 00:32:21,622 --> 00:32:25,092 So until next week, ride safe and ride happy.