1 00:00:08,956 --> 00:00:11,836 Paul Comfort: Hi, I'm Paul Comfort and this is Transit Unplugged. 2 00:00:12,016 --> 00:00:15,796 And today I have the pleasure of bringing to you at interview with my friend Marcus 3 00:00:15,796 --> 00:00:18,226 Moore, who is director of Transportation. 4 00:00:18,496 --> 00:00:22,066 From the city of Annapolis, Maryland, my home state, just across the 5 00:00:22,066 --> 00:00:23,416 Chesapeake Bay from where I live. 6 00:00:23,416 --> 00:00:26,716 I actually lived in Annapolis for a couple years when I was younger as a child. 7 00:00:27,046 --> 00:00:30,826 Uh, and this interview is a companion episode to our upcoming 8 00:00:30,826 --> 00:00:34,126 Transit and Unplugged TV episode in which we include an interview 9 00:00:34,126 --> 00:00:36,196 with Marcus Moore as well as a. 10 00:00:36,196 --> 00:00:39,226 Uh, Holly Arnold, the CEO of the MTA in Baltimore, and we look at the 11 00:00:39,226 --> 00:00:43,786 purple line and other transit systems around the state, um, including 12 00:00:43,786 --> 00:00:45,166 one in Howard County, the RTA. 13 00:00:45,196 --> 00:00:49,396 All of that is coming up in our September episode of Transit Unplugged tv, 14 00:00:49,396 --> 00:00:51,556 our once a month television program. 15 00:00:51,866 --> 00:00:54,806 We actually record this podcast on the roof of the Hillman Garage on my 16 00:00:54,806 --> 00:00:57,356 phone, talking about transit, Annapolis. 17 00:00:57,356 --> 00:01:00,116 Of course, Annapolis is the capital of the state of Maryland. 18 00:01:00,146 --> 00:01:03,026 Not only do they have a Naval Academy there, but they have, you know, the 19 00:01:03,026 --> 00:01:05,906 State House, the General Assembly, the governor's office and all that, 20 00:01:06,236 --> 00:01:07,886 and it's a great historic city. 21 00:01:07,886 --> 00:01:10,286 It's also the sailing capital of the United States. 22 00:01:10,646 --> 00:01:14,516 And there's so many, uh, facets to their public transportation system. 23 00:01:14,786 --> 00:01:16,826 I wanted him to share it with you on this podcast. 24 00:01:16,826 --> 00:01:17,426 And so he does. 25 00:01:17,426 --> 00:01:18,836 I think you'll find it fascinating. 26 00:01:19,436 --> 00:01:23,336 Speaking of Transit Unplugged tv, this is a companion episode as I mentioned, but 27 00:01:23,336 --> 00:01:27,176 we had a great honor this last week and that was, we were honored with the 46th 28 00:01:27,176 --> 00:01:29,846 Annual Tell Award for travel and Tourism. 29 00:01:29,846 --> 00:01:30,236 That's right. 30 00:01:30,236 --> 00:01:32,426 It's probably our highest honor we've ever won. 31 00:01:32,696 --> 00:01:33,416 Uh, we. 32 00:01:34,196 --> 00:01:37,346 Submitted this episode, the Rocky Mountaineer Train Experience. 33 00:01:37,616 --> 00:01:40,406 Uh, and it earned a bronze tele in travel and tourism. 34 00:01:40,496 --> 00:01:43,586 It was recognized for excellence in an online and television series. 35 00:01:43,796 --> 00:01:47,546 It's the same show that we won these two awards for the, uh, 36 00:01:47,576 --> 00:01:51,176 communicator Award and the Worldwide Web W three award this last year. 37 00:01:51,356 --> 00:01:52,616 This is a great episode. 38 00:01:52,616 --> 00:01:56,786 Go to our YouTube page, transit Unplugged tv and check it out. 39 00:01:56,786 --> 00:01:58,556 It's the Rocky Mountaineer experience. 40 00:01:58,556 --> 00:02:02,276 I'd done a podcast interview, uh, with the president after I rode the. 41 00:02:02,851 --> 00:02:07,741 The Rocky Mountaineer train that, that was Denver to Moab route, which was fantastic. 42 00:02:07,741 --> 00:02:10,711 And they said, we'd like you to come up and join with other media 43 00:02:10,711 --> 00:02:13,081 and um, do an episode in Canada. 44 00:02:13,201 --> 00:02:14,971 So we did that and it was fantastic. 45 00:02:14,971 --> 00:02:16,231 And the show is unlike any other. 46 00:02:16,231 --> 00:02:18,451 We've done a real tourism type show. 47 00:02:18,451 --> 00:02:19,171 I think you'll love it. 48 00:02:19,441 --> 00:02:20,011 Check it out. 49 00:02:20,041 --> 00:02:20,581 Um. 50 00:02:21,176 --> 00:02:25,196 I wanna give congratulations to our team, of course, myself 51 00:02:25,196 --> 00:02:26,486 as the host and producer. 52 00:02:26,606 --> 00:02:28,436 I loved making this episode. 53 00:02:28,436 --> 00:02:30,206 It's one of the most fun episodes I've been on. 54 00:02:30,536 --> 00:02:34,346 Uh, but really a lot of credit goes to our video director and music director 55 00:02:34,346 --> 00:02:35,996 and creative director, Jamie Quadra. 56 00:02:36,356 --> 00:02:38,126 Uh, and, uh, also Herardo. 57 00:02:38,126 --> 00:02:40,376 Colin Tuo was helping U.S. on it some. 58 00:02:40,376 --> 00:02:43,046 And our executive producer for our program is Julie Gates. 59 00:02:43,046 --> 00:02:44,756 Thanks to all them for their role in this. 60 00:02:44,996 --> 00:02:47,186 We've got a lot of great upcoming episodes. 61 00:02:47,546 --> 00:02:50,516 Uh, coming up with Transit Unplugged tv, like I said, including the 62 00:02:50,516 --> 00:02:53,606 one right here in Maryland and my home county of Queen Annes County. 63 00:02:53,786 --> 00:02:54,536 Two episodes. 64 00:02:54,566 --> 00:02:58,406 The Maryland episode that supports this podcast will air in September. 65 00:02:58,616 --> 00:03:01,376 The Queen Annes County episode will air in October. 66 00:03:01,526 --> 00:03:05,726 Now let's jump into this fun interview we did from the roof of a parking garage in 67 00:03:05,726 --> 00:03:10,046 downtown Annapolis with Marcus Moore, the Director of Transportation for the City. 68 00:03:10,076 --> 00:03:10,736 Enjoy. 69 00:03:11,550 --> 00:03:14,790 This is Paul Comfort and we are in downtown Annapolis and commissioning 70 00:03:14,790 --> 00:03:15,990 week for the Naval Academy. 71 00:03:15,990 --> 00:03:18,000 I'm standing on top of the Hillman Garage. 72 00:03:18,000 --> 00:03:19,170 And I'm with Marcus Moore. 73 00:03:19,280 --> 00:03:19,730 Who 74 00:03:19,914 --> 00:03:20,094 yeah. 75 00:03:20,094 --> 00:03:22,794 We're looking right behind your, your shoulder as the state capitol. 76 00:03:22,824 --> 00:03:23,754 Yes sir. The great dome. 77 00:03:23,754 --> 00:03:24,414 This is the oldest. 78 00:03:24,679 --> 00:03:24,979 What is it? 79 00:03:24,979 --> 00:03:25,399 The oldest, 80 00:03:25,399 --> 00:03:28,909 Marcus Moore: oldest, uh, working legislative building in the United States. 81 00:03:28,969 --> 00:03:29,509 That's amazing. 82 00:03:29,629 --> 00:03:31,219 And what's your official title here at Annapolis? 83 00:03:31,249 --> 00:03:35,269 I am the director of Transportation and parking for the City of Annapolis Public. 84 00:03:35,479 --> 00:03:37,009 So you work for the city government? 85 00:03:37,039 --> 00:03:38,149 I do work for the city government. 86 00:03:38,209 --> 00:03:38,839 So tell U.S. about 87 00:03:38,839 --> 00:03:39,619 Paul Comfort: your transit system. 88 00:03:39,709 --> 00:03:41,479 Marcus Moore: Our transit system is like a pulse system. 89 00:03:41,479 --> 00:03:42,529 We have a fixed route. 90 00:03:42,859 --> 00:03:46,639 Uh, we have a DA complimentary paratransit, and we're piloting a 91 00:03:46,639 --> 00:03:50,119 new on demand transit service that we go when you, where you want 92 00:03:50,119 --> 00:03:51,769 to go, uh, when you want to go. 93 00:03:52,114 --> 00:03:54,274 Within three quarters of a mile of our fixed root stocks. 94 00:03:54,454 --> 00:03:57,874 This is a pilot program that we started last July and it's 95 00:03:57,874 --> 00:03:58,984 really working out pretty well. 96 00:03:58,984 --> 00:04:00,874 Paul, we're really excited to try something new. 97 00:04:01,324 --> 00:04:03,154 . So, um, how long have you been here in this job? 98 00:04:03,334 --> 00:04:06,364 I've been here with the city of Annapolis, department of Transportation 99 00:04:06,364 --> 00:04:07,864 since, uh, December of 2015. 100 00:04:08,224 --> 00:04:12,034 And my current position as Director of Transportation since October of 2022. 101 00:04:12,634 --> 00:04:15,394 Paul Comfort: We were just talking about kind of our shared background 102 00:04:15,394 --> 00:04:18,224 and, , tell U.S. about some of your past because it is, you have 103 00:04:18,224 --> 00:04:20,084 a great history for transportation. 104 00:04:20,104 --> 00:04:21,604 In both rail and bus. 105 00:04:21,634 --> 00:04:21,874 Marcus Moore: Yeah. 106 00:04:21,874 --> 00:04:22,894 Paul, thanks for asking. 107 00:04:22,894 --> 00:04:27,424 Going back to 1983, I started with uh, NRPC, which is National Railroad 108 00:04:27,424 --> 00:04:30,334 Passenger Corporation, better known to most people as Amtrak. 109 00:04:30,334 --> 00:04:30,784 Amtrak. 110 00:04:30,784 --> 00:04:31,384 That's right, baby. 111 00:04:31,384 --> 00:04:31,474 Yes. 112 00:04:31,534 --> 00:04:35,404 I started as a trainer, attend outta New York City, uh, doing most of the East 113 00:04:35,404 --> 00:04:39,724 Coast runs and transferred to Washington DC Uh, did that for about four or five 114 00:04:39,724 --> 00:04:41,194 years before I went into ticketing. 115 00:04:41,614 --> 00:04:44,914 Uh, I was a ticket agent for about two or three years in station operations, 116 00:04:44,914 --> 00:04:46,594 and then I ran the auto train for about. 117 00:04:46,624 --> 00:04:48,754 Four years from 92 to 97. 118 00:04:48,754 --> 00:04:49,384 That's pretty cool, dude. 119 00:04:49,384 --> 00:04:50,824 Yeah, it was really a lot of fun. 120 00:04:51,124 --> 00:04:53,644 But the most fun, uh, job that I think I had was bringing high 121 00:04:53,644 --> 00:04:54,964 speed rail to North America. 122 00:04:55,114 --> 00:04:57,994 That was on the Ella project out of , Philadelphia office. 123 00:04:58,024 --> 00:05:03,084 So high-speed rail that came, , to fruition back in 20 2001 as a part of 124 00:05:03,084 --> 00:05:08,044 bringing that in, , bringing a lot of our, our employees, uh, conductors, engineers. 125 00:05:08,104 --> 00:05:11,884 Onboard service attendants to see how they, , do it in another country. 126 00:05:11,884 --> 00:05:14,974 So we got a chance to travel and benchmark some high speed rail in Europe. 127 00:05:15,334 --> 00:05:16,834 And how fast is that Acela train 128 00:05:16,834 --> 00:05:17,014 Paul Comfort: go? 129 00:05:17,014 --> 00:05:17,794 I've ridden it, it's pretty 130 00:05:17,794 --> 00:05:18,214 Marcus Moore: fast. 131 00:05:18,484 --> 00:05:22,514 What it did, it, uh, with tilt technology was able to take, , certain curves at 132 00:05:22,514 --> 00:05:26,414 a higher speed, but the highest, uh, recorded speed is 150 miles an hour. 133 00:05:26,534 --> 00:05:26,594 Wow. 134 00:05:26,594 --> 00:05:27,644 And that's up in New England. 135 00:05:27,644 --> 00:05:30,074 There's only about 30 miles of track that it gets to that. 136 00:05:30,404 --> 00:05:34,034 But the old Metroliners in the northeast quarter got as high as 1 25. 137 00:05:34,124 --> 00:05:36,884 And these can take the curves also at 1 35. 138 00:05:37,209 --> 00:05:39,819 So it is pretty fast getting from Washington, DC and 139 00:05:39,819 --> 00:05:43,929 clearly DC to Boston where they electrified that segment of track. 140 00:05:43,959 --> 00:05:46,539 They used to take five hours, brought it down to like two and a half. 141 00:05:46,659 --> 00:05:47,139 Paul Comfort: Really? 142 00:05:47,139 --> 00:05:47,319 Yeah. 143 00:05:47,529 --> 00:05:47,769 Yeah. 144 00:05:47,769 --> 00:05:48,189 I've done it. 145 00:05:48,189 --> 00:05:51,129 I, I ride from, um, Wilmington, Wilmington, Delaware. 146 00:05:51,129 --> 00:05:51,189 Yeah. 147 00:05:51,189 --> 00:05:52,959 To Joe Biden station right there where he's from. 148 00:05:52,959 --> 00:05:56,139 Delaware guy, you know, and, uh, ride it up to New York City. 149 00:05:56,169 --> 00:05:56,259 Yes. 150 00:05:56,469 --> 00:05:56,649 Yeah. 151 00:05:56,649 --> 00:06:00,819 Or I will go to One Pen Plaza to go see New Jersey Transit, and I think 152 00:06:00,819 --> 00:06:02,319 later this year I'm gonna ride it. 153 00:06:02,549 --> 00:06:05,549 Marcus Moore: It's really a great way to go, you know, sit back and watch sea. 154 00:06:05,579 --> 00:06:08,309 Uh, what do they say is, uh, see America at sea level. 155 00:06:08,369 --> 00:06:08,699 Oh yeah. 156 00:06:08,699 --> 00:06:12,049 So you're even to go, you can just travel and, and have a nice beverage 157 00:06:12,049 --> 00:06:13,489 and look at the scenery you're going by. 158 00:06:13,549 --> 00:06:14,449 So, but that's a great rep. 159 00:06:14,479 --> 00:06:16,099 Paul Comfort: Let's swing back in your story a little bit then. 160 00:06:16,339 --> 00:06:18,259 So you were at Amtrak for how many years? 161 00:06:18,289 --> 00:06:18,439 Uh, 162 00:06:18,829 --> 00:06:19,279 Marcus Moore: eh, 20. 163 00:06:19,519 --> 00:06:19,819 20 years. 164 00:06:19,819 --> 00:06:19,909 Mm-hmm. 165 00:06:20,149 --> 00:06:21,079 Paul Comfort: Got a full career in. 166 00:06:21,109 --> 00:06:21,709 Full career In. 167 00:06:21,709 --> 00:06:22,609 And then what'd you do after that? 168 00:06:22,669 --> 00:06:24,199 Marcus Moore: After that I went to, uh, freight Railroad. 169 00:06:24,199 --> 00:06:24,529 I worked. 170 00:06:24,554 --> 00:06:27,884 For Norfolk Southern got qualified as a freight train conductor from 171 00:06:27,884 --> 00:06:31,724 CP three, which is just south of the Philadelphia station to the Susquehanna. 172 00:06:32,024 --> 00:06:36,554 So I brought a lot of uh, cars to like Chrysler Yard, and I was a part of Norfolk 173 00:06:36,554 --> 00:06:41,024 Southern's Harrisburg crew base in the New Castle subdivision in Delaware. 174 00:06:41,564 --> 00:06:41,594 Okay. 175 00:06:41,594 --> 00:06:42,314 For about a year. 176 00:06:42,554 --> 00:06:43,454 That's so and then what? 177 00:06:43,574 --> 00:06:47,774 And then I came into busing, and then busing comes in around 2006. 178 00:06:47,774 --> 00:06:48,104 Okay. 179 00:06:48,104 --> 00:06:52,515 And I worked at BWI as the assistant general manager for MAA. 180 00:06:52,520 --> 00:06:54,254 We were the contract bus operator. 181 00:06:54,574 --> 00:06:57,574 For the, uh, state owned garages, long-term, a long-term 182 00:06:57,574 --> 00:06:58,534 B deal garage, and all. 183 00:06:58,534 --> 00:06:58,654 Oh yeah. 184 00:06:58,654 --> 00:06:58,744 You're 185 00:06:58,744 --> 00:06:59,614 Paul Comfort: the one I gotta complain 186 00:06:59,614 --> 00:06:59,674 Marcus Moore: to. 187 00:06:59,674 --> 00:06:59,824 Paul Comfort: Kidding. 188 00:07:01,999 --> 00:07:04,489 Marcus Moore: And then the, um, the old Howard County Transit 189 00:07:04,489 --> 00:07:05,989 as known today as the RTA. 190 00:07:05,989 --> 00:07:06,859 And when were you there? 191 00:07:06,889 --> 00:07:10,909 I was there from like 2000, uh, 11 to 2013. 192 00:07:10,999 --> 00:07:11,329 Okay. 193 00:07:11,329 --> 00:07:14,839 We were on, uh, McCall Court in, um, Elkridge. 194 00:07:14,869 --> 00:07:17,809 Paul Comfort: And did you work for, who did you actually work directly for then? 195 00:07:17,899 --> 00:07:20,719 Marcus Moore: Uh, then was, uh, David Van Fosen was the vice 196 00:07:20,719 --> 00:07:25,189 president of, I remember him, um, first Transit, but , through CMRT. 197 00:07:25,189 --> 00:07:27,139 There was a guy by the name of John Powell. 198 00:07:27,229 --> 00:07:27,499 Yes. 199 00:07:27,499 --> 00:07:28,369 He was the, uh. 200 00:07:28,594 --> 00:07:30,904 Uh, CEOI believe of CMRT. 201 00:07:30,994 --> 00:07:31,324 Paul Comfort: Yeah. 202 00:07:31,324 --> 00:07:32,464 So he was our client. 203 00:07:32,464 --> 00:07:35,344 Again, our path could have almost crossed because I was managing 204 00:07:35,584 --> 00:07:37,534 that Operation Howard Area Transit. 205 00:07:37,744 --> 00:07:38,914 Remember, it was hats for a while. 206 00:07:38,914 --> 00:07:39,184 Hats, yes. 207 00:07:39,184 --> 00:07:42,874 And then Howard Transit, we got that green, the green buses we created 208 00:07:42,874 --> 00:07:46,354 that Howard Green color, it was the only transportation system in 209 00:07:46,354 --> 00:07:48,364 America run by a Chamber of Commerce. 210 00:07:48,394 --> 00:07:48,484 Mm-hmm. 211 00:07:48,724 --> 00:07:50,344 Who had the CMRT logo? 212 00:07:50,344 --> 00:07:51,904 I had a guy named Ron Scots that was there. 213 00:07:52,114 --> 00:07:52,864 Yes, yes. 214 00:07:52,864 --> 00:07:53,249 I, I still see him. 215 00:07:53,254 --> 00:07:56,824 And Ray somebody was our, was our director there, but I worked for the contractor. 216 00:07:56,884 --> 00:07:57,154 Marcus Moore: Yes. 217 00:07:57,214 --> 00:07:57,964 Paul Comfort: But it was yellow. 218 00:07:58,014 --> 00:07:58,344 Yes. 219 00:07:58,374 --> 00:08:01,884 And, and then yellow became, you know, uh, Conex. 220 00:08:01,944 --> 00:08:02,154 Yes. 221 00:08:02,154 --> 00:08:03,084 Which became Veolia. 222 00:08:03,144 --> 00:08:03,234 Yep. 223 00:08:03,234 --> 00:08:04,134 Which became Transdab. 224 00:08:04,134 --> 00:08:05,304 And so you were there 225 00:08:05,304 --> 00:08:07,074 Marcus Moore: for first I was there for First Transit. 226 00:08:07,074 --> 00:08:07,104 Okay. 227 00:08:07,104 --> 00:08:10,884 And also working with John Powell was a guy by the name of, uh, Maynard Nash. 228 00:08:10,944 --> 00:08:11,334 Oh, I know. 229 00:08:11,334 --> 00:08:14,214 Maynard Maynard was working with Ron SCOs and all, we were all there together. 230 00:08:14,214 --> 00:08:15,474 This's such a funny small world man. 231 00:08:15,714 --> 00:08:16,044 This is 232 00:08:16,524 --> 00:08:17,574 Paul Comfort: so, how many years did you do that? 233 00:08:17,739 --> 00:08:20,679 Marcus Moore: Uh, there with first transit in about five and a half years. 234 00:08:20,709 --> 00:08:20,829 Okay. 235 00:08:20,829 --> 00:08:23,949 Before I went to National Express and they said, go west, young man. 236 00:08:23,949 --> 00:08:25,899 And I went to Vallejo, California. 237 00:08:25,899 --> 00:08:25,989 And 238 00:08:25,989 --> 00:08:27,579 Paul Comfort: that's where you met my buddy John Duncan, right? 239 00:08:27,579 --> 00:08:27,759 Yes. 240 00:08:27,759 --> 00:08:28,749 I met John Duncan there. 241 00:08:28,749 --> 00:08:29,289 That's right. 242 00:08:29,289 --> 00:08:29,290 Yeah. 243 00:08:29,295 --> 00:08:29,649 Yes. 244 00:08:29,649 --> 00:08:29,889 Marcus Moore: Yep. 245 00:08:30,189 --> 00:08:34,149 So ran, um, uh, Vallejo or, you know, in, uh, Vallejo. 246 00:08:34,149 --> 00:08:34,899 California. 247 00:08:34,899 --> 00:08:34,900 California. 248 00:08:34,900 --> 00:08:34,901 California. 249 00:08:34,929 --> 00:08:35,229 Yeah. 250 00:08:35,289 --> 00:08:39,039 So on of transportation in Magnesia, Vallejo, California. 251 00:08:39,129 --> 00:08:42,279 And, um, we ran that operation for, for about six months. 252 00:08:42,339 --> 00:08:42,609 Okay. 253 00:08:42,609 --> 00:08:44,049 Before I decided to go to South Florida. 254 00:08:44,289 --> 00:08:44,649 Ah. 255 00:08:44,649 --> 00:08:46,689 And then was another contract and we were. 256 00:08:46,759 --> 00:08:52,159 The sub, uh, contractor for the Hollywood Fort Lauderdale airport for their 257 00:08:52,159 --> 00:08:54,079 transportation to the parking garages. 258 00:08:54,199 --> 00:08:54,799 Oh yeah. 259 00:08:54,799 --> 00:08:55,069 We were 260 00:08:55,069 --> 00:08:55,549 Paul Comfort: just there. 261 00:08:55,554 --> 00:08:56,044 We just filmed there. 262 00:08:56,119 --> 00:08:56,389 Wow. 263 00:08:56,449 --> 00:08:57,379 That's a great, great location, huh? 264 00:08:57,409 --> 00:09:00,079 Cory Lonergan, who is CEO of Broward County Transit. 265 00:09:00,109 --> 00:09:00,469 Okay. 266 00:09:00,469 --> 00:09:01,579 She just did the podcast. 267 00:09:01,999 --> 00:09:02,059 Yeah. 268 00:09:02,059 --> 00:09:02,569 And then what? 269 00:09:03,004 --> 00:09:05,554 Marcus Moore: Uh, then came to good old city of Annapolis in, uh, 270 00:09:05,584 --> 00:09:07,474 December of 2015 and been here since. 271 00:09:07,474 --> 00:09:08,404 So 10 years, baby. 272 00:09:08,404 --> 00:09:09,604 10 years just about here. 273 00:09:09,634 --> 00:09:10,174 Yes sir. Yeah. 274 00:09:10,324 --> 00:09:10,804 Paul Comfort: That's amazing. 275 00:09:10,804 --> 00:09:13,294 And what's it like running a system in the state capitol? 276 00:09:13,354 --> 00:09:16,564 Marcus Moore: It is so amazing to see so many different folks that come here. 277 00:09:16,564 --> 00:09:20,614 We have a melting pot of, of visitors, of residents, of business owners. 278 00:09:20,874 --> 00:09:24,594 It's really just a great place to be and in our own, uh, backyard with 279 00:09:24,684 --> 00:09:26,574 the employees that, um, I work with. 280 00:09:26,844 --> 00:09:29,844 The same kind of melting pot is really just great with the, you know, if you 281 00:09:29,844 --> 00:09:31,734 want great seafood, you come out here. 282 00:09:31,734 --> 00:09:32,214 That's right. 283 00:09:32,214 --> 00:09:34,104 Take, you know Right on the, uh, Chesapeake Bay. 284 00:09:34,104 --> 00:09:37,434 We just had some, so we did really just have some, one of the local restaurants. 285 00:09:37,464 --> 00:09:37,524 Yeah. 286 00:09:37,734 --> 00:09:40,134 So the Saturn River going into Chesapeake Bay that goes 287 00:09:40,134 --> 00:09:41,664 into, uh, Atlantic Ocean, who 288 00:09:42,594 --> 00:09:42,714 Paul Comfort: could 289 00:09:42,714 --> 00:09:43,284 Marcus Moore: ask for anything 290 00:09:43,284 --> 00:09:43,554 Paul Comfort: more? 291 00:09:43,674 --> 00:09:43,914 Yeah. 292 00:09:43,914 --> 00:09:46,254 If you, and this is really the sailing capital of the world, right? 293 00:09:46,254 --> 00:09:47,124 This is the sailing capital. 294 00:09:47,124 --> 00:09:47,214 Yeah. 295 00:09:47,274 --> 00:09:48,294 So many sail boats here. 296 00:09:48,294 --> 00:09:48,384 Yep. 297 00:09:48,469 --> 00:09:49,969 Marcus Moore: Just at our boat show, uh, back 298 00:09:49,979 --> 00:09:53,879 in April, and then the Fall boat show with the Power Boat sailboats in October. 299 00:09:54,149 --> 00:09:55,019 Uh, please come out. 300 00:09:55,019 --> 00:09:56,639 We're reimagining a city dock. 301 00:09:56,639 --> 00:09:59,699 It's gonna be a, a world class, uh, event area. 302 00:09:59,759 --> 00:09:59,969 Really? 303 00:09:59,969 --> 00:10:00,569 I didn't know that. 304 00:10:00,569 --> 00:10:02,129 Yeah, that's being redeveloped right now. 305 00:10:02,129 --> 00:10:02,579 Oh, that's awesome, man. 306 00:10:02,579 --> 00:10:02,759 Yep. 307 00:10:02,849 --> 00:10:03,929 Paul Comfort: In about two and a half years. 308 00:10:03,929 --> 00:10:04,529 We should be done. 309 00:10:04,529 --> 00:10:07,799 For those people who don't know, the Annapolis downtown area is like. 310 00:10:07,884 --> 00:10:09,024 Nowhere else in the country. 311 00:10:09,084 --> 00:10:09,264 Mm-hmm. 312 00:10:09,504 --> 00:10:12,204 Uh, and uh, the inner Harbor area is just fantastic. 313 00:10:12,444 --> 00:10:14,724 And it's right next to the United States Naval Academy. 314 00:10:14,724 --> 00:10:15,084 It sure is. 315 00:10:15,084 --> 00:10:17,514 Which is why we're up here on the garage roof today, right? 316 00:10:17,634 --> 00:10:17,904 Marcus Moore: Yes, 317 00:10:17,904 --> 00:10:18,084 Paul Comfort: there was. 318 00:10:18,084 --> 00:10:20,604 So when we come back in just a minute, we'll talk more about the 319 00:10:20,604 --> 00:10:24,924 Naval Academy and the role of transit in moving, uh, a state capital. 320 00:10:26,802 --> 00:10:29,712 Hey friends, it's Paul Comfort host of Transit Unplugged, and I've 321 00:10:29,712 --> 00:10:31,542 got some exciting news to share. 322 00:10:31,902 --> 00:10:35,802 Did you know that Transit Unplugged is now a hybrid podcast experience? 323 00:10:36,072 --> 00:10:36,612 That's right. 324 00:10:36,792 --> 00:10:38,472 We're not just in your ears anymore. 325 00:10:38,532 --> 00:10:39,972 We're on your screens too. 326 00:10:40,332 --> 00:10:44,052 Each week on YouTube now you'll find a brand new version of our show 327 00:10:44,202 --> 00:10:48,132 featuring a video intro from me, plus behind the scenes photos and 328 00:10:48,132 --> 00:10:51,792 visuals of our guests when we record interviews on location in person. 329 00:10:52,182 --> 00:10:54,642 From transit centers to waterfronts and boardrooms, 330 00:10:54,852 --> 00:10:56,202 we're taking you there visually. 331 00:10:56,382 --> 00:10:59,772 Adding a whole new layer to the storytelling and the response 332 00:10:59,772 --> 00:11:02,172 so far has been amazing. 333 00:11:02,382 --> 00:11:05,982 Thousands of people are already watching and listening on YouTube and most 334 00:11:05,982 --> 00:11:08,172 get this are watching on their TVs. 335 00:11:08,547 --> 00:11:12,267 So if you haven't yet, take a moment to check U.S. out on YouTube. 336 00:11:12,507 --> 00:11:15,927 Just search Transit Unplug podcast on YouTube. 337 00:11:16,197 --> 00:11:20,367 Then hit subscribe and experience the show each week in a whole new way. 338 00:11:20,697 --> 00:11:25,347 We're making transit media more dynamic, more accessible, and more fun than ever. 339 00:11:25,527 --> 00:11:27,507 And I'd love to have you along for the ride. 340 00:11:28,227 --> 00:11:30,057 Now let's get back to the conversation. 341 00:11:32,243 --> 00:11:34,553 We're back with Marcus Moore who is the head of transportation 342 00:11:34,553 --> 00:11:36,053 for the city of Annapolis. 343 00:11:36,083 --> 00:11:39,143 Marcus, tell U.S. about the Naval Academy and uh, and their 344 00:11:39,143 --> 00:11:41,033 interaction with the city, et cetera. 345 00:11:41,183 --> 00:11:42,203 Marcus Moore: Yeah, thanks for asking. 346 00:11:42,203 --> 00:11:46,613 The Naval Academy has been here founded, uh, back in like 1845 and it's really a 347 00:11:46,613 --> 00:11:50,063 gemstone here and it really gives a lot of prestige to the city of Annapolis. 348 00:11:50,063 --> 00:11:52,043 Yes, they're a great partner to be here with them. 349 00:11:52,103 --> 00:11:56,363 With, with U.S. and the Naval Academy, as most people know, they train, uh, 350 00:11:56,393 --> 00:12:00,203 officers for the, uh, the Marine Corps and the United States Navy, of course, 351 00:12:00,203 --> 00:12:03,383 right to, to be officers and go out in the world and serve, serve our country. 352 00:12:03,713 --> 00:12:05,723 Uh, it's really a great partner with them. 353 00:12:05,963 --> 00:12:09,053 Um, as you take a look downtown, you'll sometimes see them walking 354 00:12:09,053 --> 00:12:09,833 about with their families. 355 00:12:09,833 --> 00:12:09,893 Yeah. 356 00:12:09,893 --> 00:12:11,363 The mid shipmen, their white uniform. 357 00:12:11,363 --> 00:12:12,473 I saw a bunch of today. 358 00:12:12,473 --> 00:12:12,833 Yeah. 359 00:12:12,833 --> 00:12:12,834 Yeah. 360 00:12:12,893 --> 00:12:13,793 Well, this is commissioning. 361 00:12:13,793 --> 00:12:18,353 We, uh, uh, Paul, um, and we we're looking forward to seeing all of them tell U.S. 362 00:12:18,353 --> 00:12:18,548 what that means. 363 00:12:18,753 --> 00:12:22,953 Commissioning week is when these, uh, graduates become commissioned officers 364 00:12:22,953 --> 00:12:25,713 and they get their deployment somewhere around the country, around the world, 365 00:12:25,953 --> 00:12:29,733 uh, to serve, uh, the country as they just got their, um, their degree here. 366 00:12:29,823 --> 00:12:32,883 Yeah, so yesterday we had the practice of the Blue Angels. 367 00:12:32,883 --> 00:12:36,243 Today is the show, , And Friday is actually the commissioning ceremony. 368 00:12:36,468 --> 00:12:39,318 At the United States Naval Academy parking lot, , and this is a 369 00:12:39,318 --> 00:12:40,908 really big time for the city. 370 00:12:40,908 --> 00:12:44,328 It brings a lot of visitors and guests, uh, media and light to 371 00:12:44,418 --> 00:12:46,098 just see this kind of event. 372 00:12:46,158 --> 00:12:46,218 Yeah. 373 00:12:46,218 --> 00:12:47,628 It's really exciting to be around this. 374 00:12:47,778 --> 00:12:48,258 It is. 375 00:12:48,258 --> 00:12:48,528 Paul Comfort: Yeah. 376 00:12:48,528 --> 00:12:51,378 For those of you who are listening, we are, uh, we're also filming an 377 00:12:51,378 --> 00:12:54,858 episode of our television show, transit Unplugged tv, and I'm here 378 00:12:54,858 --> 00:12:56,448 with our video director, Jaime Quadra. 379 00:12:56,683 --> 00:12:59,413 Hello Paul and a bunch of other folks. 380 00:12:59,413 --> 00:13:02,263 Congratulations for the latest award, teleworks. 381 00:13:02,263 --> 00:13:02,983 That's right. 382 00:13:03,043 --> 00:13:04,903 And, uh, got some other friends with U.S. 383 00:13:04,903 --> 00:13:06,133 too, who are helping U.S. film. 384 00:13:06,373 --> 00:13:09,163 And um, , you'll be able to see what Marcus has been talking 385 00:13:09,163 --> 00:13:10,483 about because we're filming here. 386 00:13:10,483 --> 00:13:12,463 We'll show you the city, we'll show you Actually, we're gonna 387 00:13:12,463 --> 00:13:13,633 show one of your free buses. 388 00:13:13,633 --> 00:13:14,383 Tell U.S. about that. 389 00:13:14,413 --> 00:13:14,863 Marcus Moore: Oh yes. 390 00:13:14,893 --> 00:13:17,383 The Magenta Shuttle PA is our free services. 391 00:13:17,383 --> 00:13:21,133 Uh, it's a circulator bus, uh, it's called the Magenta Downtown Shuttle. 392 00:13:21,398 --> 00:13:23,558 It starts just outside of the city at Park Place. 393 00:13:23,558 --> 00:13:27,028 Garage runs about every 20 minutes, every single day. 394 00:13:27,028 --> 00:13:30,778 Some abbreviated schedules on weekends, like Sunday, eight to eight, uh, 395 00:13:30,778 --> 00:13:34,818 Saturdays, eight until midnight, , Monday through Friday, , six o'clock in the 396 00:13:34,818 --> 00:13:36,228 morning until 11 o'clock at night. 397 00:13:36,288 --> 00:13:37,308 So it's a great shuttle service. 398 00:13:37,308 --> 00:13:38,118 It's a great shuttle. 399 00:13:38,118 --> 00:13:40,668 It, the whole loop is about a mile and a half. 400 00:13:41,523 --> 00:13:43,683 And it takes about 20 minutes to go from start to finish. 401 00:13:43,803 --> 00:13:44,853 So jump on and off. 402 00:13:44,853 --> 00:13:46,503 There's a bunch of stops along the way. 403 00:13:46,773 --> 00:13:49,433 Look for the magenta shuttle, , and stop and yeah. 404 00:13:49,463 --> 00:13:50,843 Flag it down and jump right on. 405 00:13:50,933 --> 00:13:51,023 Oh, 406 00:13:51,023 --> 00:13:51,623 Paul Comfort: that's awesome. 407 00:13:52,013 --> 00:13:56,183 So we are like standing, it's not really sunny today, but in the shadow, let's say 408 00:13:56,183 --> 00:13:58,283 metaphorically of the state capitol dome. 409 00:13:58,283 --> 00:13:58,763 Oh gosh, yes. 410 00:13:58,763 --> 00:14:00,503 Uh, which is just phenomenal looking. 411 00:14:00,503 --> 00:14:04,133 If you, if you've never seen the Annapolis Dome of our state capitol, 412 00:14:04,133 --> 00:14:05,693 it is just a tremendous place when. 413 00:14:05,978 --> 00:14:08,198 When I was CEO of the MTA, I spent a lot of time there 414 00:14:08,198 --> 00:14:09,788 testifying before the legislature. 415 00:14:10,088 --> 00:14:13,478 Uh, but what's it like having them come into town where you've got the delegates 416 00:14:13,478 --> 00:14:17,198 and the state senators and the governor and his staff all, I mean, right here, 417 00:14:17,378 --> 00:14:19,028 right in your system sometimes, I'm sure. 418 00:14:19,088 --> 00:14:20,048 Marcus Moore: Absolutely, Paul. 419 00:14:20,048 --> 00:14:23,528 So for those a hundred days, starting in the early part of January, all to 420 00:14:23,528 --> 00:14:27,728 the middle of April, um, the legislative session, all kinds of bills, all kinds 421 00:14:27,728 --> 00:14:31,508 of, um, legislators from around the state are going to descend on the. 422 00:14:31,608 --> 00:14:34,848 State capital to introduce your bills and hopefully get 'em through committee. 423 00:14:35,088 --> 00:14:38,798 And as you've been, , saying Paul as an advocate for public transportation, 424 00:14:39,008 --> 00:14:41,648 um, those are some really big bills that we want to get through to. 425 00:14:41,888 --> 00:14:46,598 Um, we wanna really make sure we have a avenue to get those that have an option 426 00:14:46,598 --> 00:14:48,398 out of their cars and ride the bus. 427 00:14:48,428 --> 00:14:48,698 Yeah. 428 00:14:48,728 --> 00:14:50,798 How do they do that when it's safe, reliable, and 429 00:14:50,798 --> 00:14:52,058 convenient for them to do so? 430 00:14:52,298 --> 00:14:54,878 Right now you get a lot more of just, uh, folks that you know 431 00:14:54,878 --> 00:14:56,108 that they're dependent on it. 432 00:14:56,123 --> 00:15:00,923 So being able to be able to increase the, um, the footprint of what we 433 00:15:00,923 --> 00:15:04,133 have and where we go is what we want to do to get people outta the cars. 434 00:15:04,163 --> 00:15:04,823 Absolutely. 435 00:15:05,063 --> 00:15:07,073 Paul Comfort: Let's talk some about your system a little bit more. 436 00:15:07,103 --> 00:15:08,333 How many drivers? 437 00:15:08,543 --> 00:15:10,043 The union, I think that's interesting. 438 00:15:10,043 --> 00:15:12,203 They're, they're in a, uh, so tell U.S. a little bit about that. 439 00:15:12,263 --> 00:15:12,533 Marcus Moore: Yeah. 440 00:15:12,533 --> 00:15:16,583 Our system here, um, we're probably, we're considered a follow, a locally operated 441 00:15:16,583 --> 00:15:18,203 transit system, better known as a lot. 442 00:15:18,503 --> 00:15:22,123 There's about 23 lots in the state of Maryland from western Maryland Cumberland, 443 00:15:22,123 --> 00:15:23,263 all the way down to Ocean City. 444 00:15:23,583 --> 00:15:26,973 So we're one of those and we have about 30 full-time drivers and 445 00:15:26,973 --> 00:15:30,273 about a dozen part-time drivers and they are part of the union. 446 00:15:30,483 --> 00:15:33,303 And being a full-time, , employee of the city of Annapolis, you're 447 00:15:33,303 --> 00:15:35,223 part of the state pension system. 448 00:15:35,463 --> 00:15:36,063 Paul Comfort: Yeah, I love that. 449 00:15:36,068 --> 00:15:36,243 Um, and 450 00:15:36,243 --> 00:15:39,004 Marcus Moore: then being vested 10 years to become vested to be a part of that. 451 00:15:39,009 --> 00:15:40,023 And what's the name of their union? 452 00:15:40,713 --> 00:15:41,733 Afme, A FS. 453 00:15:42,968 --> 00:15:46,838 Me ASME is a, uh, union that represents our bus drivers and our mechanical 454 00:15:46,838 --> 00:15:48,278 Paul Comfort: state, county municipal employees. 455 00:15:48,278 --> 00:15:48,818 Those kind of things. 456 00:15:48,818 --> 00:15:49,298 Right, exactly. 457 00:15:49,328 --> 00:15:49,688 Yeah. 458 00:15:49,748 --> 00:15:50,618 Yeah, that's interesting. 459 00:15:50,858 --> 00:15:53,588 And um, so you got the drivers and then who else do you have? 460 00:15:53,618 --> 00:15:54,428 Mechanics and 461 00:15:54,428 --> 00:15:55,118 Marcus Moore: dispatchers? 462 00:15:55,118 --> 00:15:55,418 Right. 463 00:15:55,418 --> 00:15:58,358 We have the supervisor dispatchers that give the direction to the, uh, 464 00:15:58,358 --> 00:15:59,738 operators when they're on the road. 465 00:16:00,038 --> 00:16:03,338 And we have a fleet of mechanics that actually take care of our buses. 466 00:16:03,638 --> 00:16:08,228 Uh, we can do about 90, 95% of all of our, um, repairs in-house, certain things we 467 00:16:08,228 --> 00:16:10,478 have to send out to be, uh, a heavy lift. 468 00:16:10,763 --> 00:16:14,393 But we do have an operation that has, uh, dispatchers, supervisors, 469 00:16:14,393 --> 00:16:18,563 drivers, and mechanics about a staff of about 52 to 55 employees total. 470 00:16:18,953 --> 00:16:19,583 All right, Marcus. 471 00:16:19,583 --> 00:16:22,253 Paul Comfort: So, um, tell U.S. about the service area that you serve. 472 00:16:22,283 --> 00:16:22,613 Marcus Moore: Yeah. 473 00:16:22,913 --> 00:16:25,523 Even though the city of Annapolis is about five and a half square miles, 474 00:16:25,523 --> 00:16:27,143 we have about 40,000 residents. 475 00:16:27,263 --> 00:16:29,873 We're a little bit more far reaching into the county and uh, 476 00:16:29,873 --> 00:16:33,083 we're connecting with other, uh, services to get you to other places. 477 00:16:33,323 --> 00:16:36,383 So, you know, going out to like the, um, community college, 478 00:16:36,383 --> 00:16:37,763 which is in, uh, Arnold. 479 00:16:38,033 --> 00:16:38,453 Oh, yeah. 480 00:16:38,453 --> 00:16:39,443 On brought too, yeah. 481 00:16:39,443 --> 00:16:39,983 I, yeah. 482 00:16:40,013 --> 00:16:43,493 Down that direction Or to the mall, which is actually Save Annapolis, 483 00:16:43,493 --> 00:16:44,693 but is actually in the county. 484 00:16:44,738 --> 00:16:48,668 Okay, so we have five and a half square miles and about 40,000 residents. 485 00:16:48,818 --> 00:16:51,818 But looking at not just the residents, but the businesses that are here, 486 00:16:52,058 --> 00:16:55,358 and the Naval Academy is one of the big, uh, employers as well as Anne 487 00:16:55,358 --> 00:16:57,188 Arundel, uh, county Medical Center. 488 00:16:57,608 --> 00:16:58,748 Do Midshipman ride free? 489 00:16:59,258 --> 00:17:01,028 Uh, that is a good question. 490 00:17:01,028 --> 00:17:02,258 And you know what the answer is? 491 00:17:02,318 --> 00:17:03,128 Uh, yes. 492 00:17:03,128 --> 00:17:03,668 Is that right? 493 00:17:03,968 --> 00:17:05,318 Uh, matriculating student? 494 00:17:05,348 --> 00:17:06,788 Well, K through 12. 495 00:17:06,788 --> 00:17:06,908 Yeah. 496 00:17:06,908 --> 00:17:08,588 Rides free during the week. 497 00:17:08,648 --> 00:17:09,008 Okay. 498 00:17:09,008 --> 00:17:10,118 During school sessions. 499 00:17:10,118 --> 00:17:14,228 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM but there is a, uh, student rate of $1. 500 00:17:14,438 --> 00:17:14,558 Okay. 501 00:17:14,558 --> 00:17:14,948 To approve. 502 00:17:14,948 --> 00:17:15,398 So, yeah. 503 00:17:15,398 --> 00:17:17,048 So the local college is like St. 504 00:17:17,048 --> 00:17:17,438 John's? 505 00:17:17,468 --> 00:17:17,678 Yes. 506 00:17:17,708 --> 00:17:19,868 Which I believe is the second oldest college in the United States. 507 00:17:19,868 --> 00:17:20,078 That's right. 508 00:17:20,078 --> 00:17:20,378 Yeah. 509 00:17:20,378 --> 00:17:21,428 They're big liberal arts school. 510 00:17:21,428 --> 00:17:21,848 Very 511 00:17:21,848 --> 00:17:22,748 Paul Comfort: well respected. 512 00:17:22,778 --> 00:17:23,018 Yes. 513 00:17:23,038 --> 00:17:25,498 Yeah, there's so many cool things around there, isn't there? 514 00:17:25,678 --> 00:17:28,438 Just the cobblestones, just the, the brick streets? 515 00:17:28,468 --> 00:17:28,558 Yes. 516 00:17:28,748 --> 00:17:31,028 , The downtown area, the main street here is phenomenal. 517 00:17:31,298 --> 00:17:33,848 Um, and you're, you're under the city of Annapolis and you kinda 518 00:17:33,848 --> 00:17:34,688 report up through the mayor? 519 00:17:34,748 --> 00:17:35,048 Yes. 520 00:17:35,078 --> 00:17:36,158 Marcus Moore: Uh, through the city manager 521 00:17:36,248 --> 00:17:36,698 Paul Comfort: and the mayor. 522 00:17:36,698 --> 00:17:37,058 Yes. 523 00:17:37,148 --> 00:17:37,748 That's good. 524 00:17:37,928 --> 00:17:40,928 And you all connect in with your regional transportation partners, 525 00:17:41,048 --> 00:17:42,638 like the RTA with Jason Kwan. 526 00:17:42,638 --> 00:17:43,958 I mean, we just interviewed him the other day. 527 00:17:44,018 --> 00:17:46,718 Marcus Moore: Uh, yeah, we wanna make sure we have, um, you know, those invisible 528 00:17:46,718 --> 00:17:50,528 barriers that we can connect and get to, like Crofton or to, um, other. 529 00:17:50,838 --> 00:17:51,768 , Employment hubs. 530 00:17:51,828 --> 00:17:51,948 Yeah. 531 00:17:51,998 --> 00:17:52,660 Arundel Mills Mall run. 532 00:17:52,660 --> 00:17:52,748 Arundel Mills Mall. 533 00:17:52,748 --> 00:17:52,988 Yeah. 534 00:17:53,023 --> 00:17:54,038 Annapolis Mall probably. 535 00:17:54,038 --> 00:17:54,368 Paul Comfort: Yeah. 536 00:17:54,488 --> 00:17:57,698 Marcus Moore: So connecting with Howard County, um, Anne Arundel 537 00:17:57,698 --> 00:17:59,228 County and of course Baltimore City. 538 00:17:59,228 --> 00:18:01,778 They have the number 70 bus here, Paul, that one of their longest 539 00:18:01,778 --> 00:18:05,588 routes from per capco to Annapolis so we can get, you know, other places 540 00:18:05,588 --> 00:18:08,858 for employment and getting to the airport and all that stuff there. 541 00:18:09,118 --> 00:18:11,818 Paul Comfort: Yeah, Annapolis is like right in the middle of Baltimore, 542 00:18:11,818 --> 00:18:13,018 Washington corridor, isn't it? 543 00:18:13,023 --> 00:18:13,708 It it really is. 544 00:18:13,708 --> 00:18:14,128 Yeah. 545 00:18:14,128 --> 00:18:14,129 Yeah. 546 00:18:14,308 --> 00:18:16,528 So the MTA brings people down here from Baltimore, right? 547 00:18:16,528 --> 00:18:17,008 On routes. 548 00:18:17,013 --> 00:18:17,818 They, they do, yep. 549 00:18:17,848 --> 00:18:17,998 That 550 00:18:17,998 --> 00:18:20,398 Marcus Moore: one bus that does come every single day about, uh, 551 00:18:20,398 --> 00:18:22,258 once every hour and a half or so, 20 552 00:18:22,258 --> 00:18:22,468 Paul Comfort: minutes. 553 00:18:22,498 --> 00:18:22,618 I 554 00:18:22,668 --> 00:18:25,638 And you mentioned , you're piloting a, um, on demand. 555 00:18:25,638 --> 00:18:27,498 You wanna tell U.S. about that and what do you think is gonna happen with that? 556 00:18:27,558 --> 00:18:30,468 Marcus Moore: Yeah, the on demand service is, um, a subscription service. 557 00:18:30,468 --> 00:18:34,188 You can call our office to actually, uh, make a reservation or you can 558 00:18:34,188 --> 00:18:36,798 download the app and I'll send you information, Paul, on that. 559 00:18:36,798 --> 00:18:40,308 But you can download the app and actually call that, uh, bus for 560 00:18:40,308 --> 00:18:43,548 yourself and they'll tell you when a bus will actually be available to come. 561 00:18:43,728 --> 00:18:43,938 Um. 562 00:18:43,993 --> 00:18:44,533 Pick you up. 563 00:18:44,893 --> 00:18:46,123 So what you actually do is go on. 564 00:18:46,153 --> 00:18:47,203 Oh, she's doing it right now for me. 565 00:18:47,323 --> 00:18:47,413 Yep. 566 00:18:47,413 --> 00:18:47,983 You can book your up. 567 00:18:47,988 --> 00:18:48,703 You show the app here. 568 00:18:48,703 --> 00:18:48,883 Okay. 569 00:18:48,883 --> 00:18:50,173 And it says where we are right now. 570 00:18:50,233 --> 00:18:51,763 It says where I am at 1 45. 571 00:18:51,853 --> 00:18:52,124 Um, main. 572 00:18:52,124 --> 00:18:52,125 Okay. 573 00:18:52,633 --> 00:18:52,873 Main. 574 00:18:53,023 --> 00:18:53,143 Yeah. 575 00:18:53,143 --> 00:18:53,353 Just 576 00:18:53,353 --> 00:18:53,923 Paul Comfort: like an Uber. 577 00:18:53,923 --> 00:18:54,853 It'll tell you where you're at. 578 00:18:54,913 --> 00:18:55,153 Right. 579 00:18:55,153 --> 00:18:55,273 It'll 580 00:18:55,273 --> 00:18:56,053 Marcus Moore: tell you where you're at. 581 00:18:56,053 --> 00:18:58,153 You tell U.S. where you want to go and it'll tell you how close. 582 00:18:58,153 --> 00:19:01,183 'cause it's not like Uber will come right to you, but there's a geo fence. 583 00:19:01,183 --> 00:19:02,173 It'll tell you where you need to go. 584 00:19:02,173 --> 00:19:02,233 Yeah. 585 00:19:02,473 --> 00:19:05,083 Which may tell U.S. uh, Gorman Street at Main Street. 586 00:19:05,743 --> 00:19:05,954 Pick up the bus. 587 00:19:05,954 --> 00:19:05,955 Oh. 588 00:19:05,960 --> 00:19:07,243 It'll give you a corner spot to go to it. 589 00:19:07,248 --> 00:19:07,603 It will. 590 00:19:07,753 --> 00:19:07,783 Okay. 591 00:19:07,783 --> 00:19:09,313 It'll tell you when your bus is coming. 592 00:19:09,313 --> 00:19:10,393 You can actually track your bus. 593 00:19:10,783 --> 00:19:13,483 And this is the same fair Paul as our regular fix route buses. 594 00:19:13,543 --> 00:19:13,873 Wow. 595 00:19:13,873 --> 00:19:16,723 So $2, or if you buy a daily pass, weekly pass, you can tap 596 00:19:16,723 --> 00:19:18,223 that and go along that way. 597 00:19:18,343 --> 00:19:20,023 Seniors are half price students. 598 00:19:20,073 --> 00:19:22,503 , Disabled and handicapped are half price as well. 599 00:19:22,503 --> 00:19:23,463 So $1, one way. 600 00:19:23,613 --> 00:19:24,243 That's awesome. 601 00:19:24,633 --> 00:19:27,153 Paul Comfort: So as I mentioned to you earlier, I, I grew up here in 602 00:19:27,153 --> 00:19:28,743 Annapolis when I was very young. 603 00:19:28,743 --> 00:19:32,293 My dad, we lived over in, uh, my dad had a job here in Eastport, , as 604 00:19:32,293 --> 00:19:33,313 a pastor of a church over there. 605 00:19:33,313 --> 00:19:34,873 And so we lived in the parsonage mm-hmm. 606 00:19:35,113 --> 00:19:36,793 Uh, in Eastport and um. 607 00:19:37,068 --> 00:19:39,108 I used to come over that bridge, but eSports, like 608 00:19:39,138 --> 00:19:40,218 it's part of Annapolis, right? 609 00:19:40,218 --> 00:19:40,818 Still it's, yes. 610 00:19:40,818 --> 00:19:40,968 Yeah. 611 00:19:40,968 --> 00:19:41,718 But it's very preppy. 612 00:19:41,718 --> 00:19:42,078 I hear. 613 00:19:42,528 --> 00:19:42,618 Yes. 614 00:19:42,618 --> 00:19:44,838 The houses are very expensive and 615 00:19:44,928 --> 00:19:47,113 Marcus Moore: Yeah, right on the water, that's is the next thing you know. 616 00:19:47,113 --> 00:19:49,668 So it does get kind of bottleneck when you come out to kinda watch 617 00:19:49,668 --> 00:19:50,928 the Blue Angels or things like that. 618 00:19:50,928 --> 00:19:51,168 Yeah. 619 00:19:51,288 --> 00:19:53,088 Um, but you have bus service all back in there? 620 00:19:53,118 --> 00:19:54,528 We, we do have bus service down there. 621 00:19:54,528 --> 00:19:57,078 We have a lot of service that goes from the mall to Eastport is a 622 00:19:57,078 --> 00:19:58,548 turnaround point to come back out. 623 00:19:58,608 --> 00:19:58,728 Okay. 624 00:19:58,728 --> 00:20:01,698 So three of our routes actually do serve, um, Eastport all the 625 00:20:01,698 --> 00:20:03,108 way to the mall and coming up. 626 00:20:03,118 --> 00:20:04,978 Um, main Street that you saw earlier, 627 00:20:05,338 --> 00:20:07,768 Paul Comfort: and you mentioned over lunch that you, um, you just 628 00:20:07,768 --> 00:20:08,998 bought a couple electric buses. 629 00:20:08,998 --> 00:20:09,418 We do. 630 00:20:09,418 --> 00:20:10,168 Tell me about that. 631 00:20:10,228 --> 00:20:12,178 Marcus Moore: We're really excited to have those in our fleet. 632 00:20:12,358 --> 00:20:17,058 We have two 30 foot, , BYD, , buses that are fully electric, but they're made 633 00:20:17,058 --> 00:20:17,538 Paul Comfort: here in America. 634 00:20:17,538 --> 00:20:18,408 What's the name of the company? 635 00:20:18,468 --> 00:20:18,588 Uh, the 636 00:20:18,588 --> 00:20:19,758 Marcus Moore: company is our Ride. 637 00:20:19,963 --> 00:20:23,323 And they're in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and this little built, um, 638 00:20:23,323 --> 00:20:24,343 right here in the United States. 639 00:20:24,343 --> 00:20:24,403 Yeah. 640 00:20:24,403 --> 00:20:24,493 And 641 00:20:24,493 --> 00:20:25,243 Paul Comfort: who's the sales guy? 642 00:20:25,243 --> 00:20:25,573 Our buddy 643 00:20:25,573 --> 00:20:26,983 Marcus Moore: that used to work with U.S. Uh, Carl Wheeler. 644 00:20:26,983 --> 00:20:27,848 Carl, that's, do you remember Carl? 645 00:20:27,913 --> 00:20:28,153 Yeah. 646 00:20:28,153 --> 00:20:29,593 Man, he's my guy. 647 00:20:29,593 --> 00:20:30,073 I like him. 648 00:20:30,073 --> 00:20:30,223 Yeah. 649 00:20:30,223 --> 00:20:31,153 So how's that working for you? 650 00:20:31,213 --> 00:20:31,303 Paul Comfort: It's 651 00:20:31,303 --> 00:20:32,113 Marcus Moore: working out very well. 652 00:20:32,173 --> 00:20:32,413 Yeah. 653 00:20:32,443 --> 00:20:32,473 Okay. 654 00:20:32,473 --> 00:20:34,993 Uh, people love it, you know, clean, clean, green and quiet. 655 00:20:34,993 --> 00:20:36,433 We have, is our logo on there, especially like 656 00:20:36,433 --> 00:20:37,633 Paul Comfort: in a downtown area, like Yes. 657 00:20:37,698 --> 00:20:38,178 Downtown 658 00:20:38,178 --> 00:20:38,568 Marcus Moore: Annapolis. 659 00:20:38,568 --> 00:20:39,288 They probably love that. 660 00:20:39,318 --> 00:20:39,888 They do love it. 661 00:20:39,948 --> 00:20:40,428 Yeah. 662 00:20:40,428 --> 00:20:40,429 Yeah. 663 00:20:40,548 --> 00:20:42,858 We're trying to change our carbon footprint and making, you know, 664 00:20:42,858 --> 00:20:44,898 the place a little bit better for the people that come behind U.S. 665 00:20:45,018 --> 00:20:45,558 Yeah, we're doing 666 00:20:45,558 --> 00:20:45,948 Paul Comfort: our share. 667 00:20:46,458 --> 00:20:47,058 Well, that's wonderful. 668 00:20:47,058 --> 00:20:48,078 Marcus Moore: Anything else you wanna talk about? 669 00:20:48,558 --> 00:20:48,588 Paul Comfort: I 670 00:20:48,588 --> 00:20:50,508 Marcus Moore: can't think of anything else though, Paul, thanks for coming 671 00:20:50,508 --> 00:20:51,743 out and thanks for having U.S. You know? 672 00:20:51,743 --> 00:20:51,943 Yeah. 673 00:20:51,943 --> 00:20:52,503 Coming down to see U.S. 674 00:20:57,437 --> 00:20:59,417 Julie Gates: Thank you for listening to this week's episode 675 00:20:59,417 --> 00:21:01,397 of the Transit Unplugged Podcast. 676 00:21:01,427 --> 00:21:02,627 We're so glad you're here. 677 00:21:02,987 --> 00:21:04,307 My name is Julie Gates. 678 00:21:04,307 --> 00:21:07,397 I'm the executive producer of the show, and our goal is to create 679 00:21:07,397 --> 00:21:10,637 programs that promote the great things going on in the transit industry 680 00:21:10,757 --> 00:21:14,237 by providing you with behind the scenes access with industry executive 681 00:21:14,237 --> 00:21:18,467 leadership so we can work together to find innovative industry solutions. 682 00:21:18,947 --> 00:21:22,367 We would love to have you be a part of the Transit Unplugged community by 683 00:21:22,367 --> 00:21:24,017 having you sign up for our newsletter. 684 00:21:24,377 --> 00:21:26,387 Head to the show notes to find the link. 685 00:21:26,747 --> 00:21:30,527 Thanks for listening to Transit Unplugged with Paul Comfort, our favorite transit 686 00:21:30,527 --> 00:21:32,597 evangelist, and we'll catch you next week. 687 00:21:32,897 --> 00:21:33,767 Thanks for tuning in.