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Transition to Zero: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Jared Schnader
Podcast focused on the Transition to Zero Emission in Transit
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- 1 weeks ago33 min
Rethinking Transit Adoption, Open-Loop Payments, and Equity with Dr. Susie Pike
Episode 60: Rethinking Transit Adoption, Open-Loop Payments, and Equity with Dr. Susie Pike Episode Overview In this episode of Transition to Zero, host Jared Schnader is joined by Dr. Susie Pike, Director of the UC Davis Transit Research Center at the Institute of Transportation Studies . Together, they explore how academic research directly informs public transit operations, travel behavior post-COVID, and the strategic integration of microtransit and micromobility options . Dr. Pike provides a deep dive into the implementation of open-loop payment systems —highlighting how digital payment tools and state-level vendor frameworks like the California Integrated Travel Program (CalITP) can enhance transit equity and streamline zero-emission fleet adoption . They also tackle the crucial policy debates surrounding capital versus operational transit funding and the value of peer-to-peer knowledge sharing across the industry
- Oct 6, 202641 min
Unpacking Bus Customization: Costs, Risks, and the Road to Fleet Standardization with Phil Plotch & Grace Truslow
Transition to Zero Podcast: Show Notes Episode Title Unpacking Bus Customization: Costs, Risks, and the Road to Fleet Standardization with Phil Plotch & Grace Truslow Episode Description & SEO Summary Why do U.S. transit agencies pay significantly more for buses than their international peers, and why are zero-emission bus procurements facing severe market bottlenecks ? In this episode of Transition to Zero, host Jared Schnader welcomes Philip Plotch (Senior Fellow & Principal Researcher) and Grace Truslow (Policy Analyst) from the Eno Center for Transportation to unpack their landmark research on bus procurement, fleet customization, and transit market reform . From custom driver seats and proprietary CAN bus software architectures to supply chain fragmentation and single-bid RFPs, Phil and Grace reveal how hyper-specifying transit buses "down to every screw" inflates capital costs, delays vehicle delivery, and creates severe financial risk for OEMs . The conversation explores real-world pricing trends comparing zero-emission battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell buses against legacy diesel fleets . Drawing vital historical lessons from the successful 1930s PCC streetcar and the failed 1970s federal Transbus initiative, the guests outline actionable policy recommendat
- Sep 8, 202638 min
Digital learning for transit workforce development with Ron Thiele of Xpan
This episode of Transition to Zero explores how transit agencies can use digital learning, digital twins, and modern LMS tools to prepare their workforce for zero emission fleets and other evolving propulsion systems. Host Jared Schnader speaks with Ron Thiele, founder and CEO of Xpan, about why training needs to start early, how agencies can build confidence before vehicles arrive, and what it takes to make learning relevant, measurable, and sustainable.We discuss how Xpan supports agencies across buses, rail, and emerging technologies by turning operational knowledge into interactive training experiences. Ron also shares lessons from Calgary Transit, the role of AI in organizing institutional knowledge, and why procurement, design, and workforce planning need to be aligned from the start. Key topics In this episode, Ron Thiele shares the origin story of Xpan, which began in 2001 with a public transit learning project for Calgary Transit and grew into a broader educational technology company. We discuss how Xpan defines digital learning as more than static e-learning, with knowledge experiences shaped by organizational culture, learner needs, and the interface between them. Ron explains how digital twins can be used to train staff on bus components, maintenance procedures, inspection workflows, and safety-critical tasks like lockout tag out. We look at how augmented reality and virtual reality can layer guidance onto a physical bus or create peer-to-peer simulated environments for safer, more confident learning. Ron shares that the biggest training priorities for agencies moving to zero emission fleets are electrical theory, high voltage safety, power systems, and propulsion-specific knowledge. We discuss why confidence matters so much for mechanics and technicians, especially when working on unfamiliar equipment with limited room for error. Ron explains how Xpan builds agency-specific training by working with OEMs, agencies, and standards groups so content matches the exact vehicle, components, and culture of each organization. We discuss how AI and data analytics can help agencies aggregate institutional knowledge, measure performance, and create more personalized learning journeys. Ron outlines the importance of starting workforce development during procurement and design, not after vehicles or infrastructure are already delivered. We cover how LMS platforms can support onboarding, compliance, recertification, competency tracking, contractor orientation, and cross-system integration with HR, asset management, and other operational systems. Ron also addresses common misconceptions about digital learning, including the idea that hands-on work cannot be taught effectively in digital environments. Looking ahead, Ron expects artificial intelligence to help smooth out the knowledge supply chain and make workforce learning more personalized, responsive, and sustainable. Timestamps <span class= "root--v_1_148_0--hcxfpIUi bodyMedium--v_1_148_0--73A
- Aug 18, 20260 min
Transforming Transit Operations: Anthony DeKeyser with Sun Metro in El Paso, Texas
Transforming Transit Operations: Anthony's Military Background, Fort Bliss Partnerships, and the Future of Clean Mobility Explore how Anthony's military background informs a disciplined, mission-driven approach to transit leadership, strategic planning, and workforce development. In this episode, we break down the synergies behind Sun Metro's operations, the Fort Bliss partnership, and the ongoing transition to CNG and battery electric buses. Episode Overview Anthony shares how lessons from military service translate into strong leadership in public transit, especially when it comes to coordination, execution, and long-range planning. The conversation highlights the importance of building operational synergies across departments, aligning capital planning with service needs, and making decisions that support both today's riders and tomorrow's growth.A major focus of the discussion is the work with Fort Bliss, where collaboration and community-centered mobility planning create a model for effective transit support. The episode also dives into the practical realities of deploying CNG buses and battery electric buses, including infrastructure, fleet modernization, and the strategic thinking required to scale clean transportation successfully. Key Topics Covered Anthony's military background and leadership mindset Building synergies across transit operations and stakeholder groups The Fort Bliss partnership and community mobility coordination CNG bus planning, deployment, and infrastructure considerations Battery electric bus discussions and the path to fleet electrification Workforce development, training, and team readiness Why strategic planning is essential for sustainable transit growth Aligning operations, capital investments, and long-term service goals Congressional and Public Sector Support Mentioned Congresswoman Veronica Escobar Senator Mary Kay [Blanco/placeholder mentioned in transcript] Federal Transit Administration (FTA) <li class= "root--v_1_44_0
- Aug 4, 202632 min
Cracking the Zero-Emission Fleet Life Cycle: Parts, Supply Chains, and Keeping Buses on the Road
Episode Overview The procurement of a zero-emission bus (ZEB) is not the final destination—it is merely the starting line . As transit agencies across the country deploy advanced transit fleets, the ultimate metric of success shifts seamlessly from initial vehicle delivery to long-term lifecycle reliability . In this episode of Transition to Zero, host Jared Schnader, Executive Vice President at CALSTART, sits down with Allison Powers, Founder and CEO of Powers Parts, to dissect the critical shifting paradigms of zero-emission fleet maintenance, parts procurement, and data ecosystems . Historically, transit sector discussions have heavily centered around infrastructure deployments and scaling initial vehicle orders . However, today's operational reality demands a robust, integrated ecosystem capable of addressing acute vehicle-down situations—where a single obscure component or temporary software anomaly can idle a million-dollar asset <!---
- Jul 7, 202630 min
Olympics, Electrified Roads, and 80,000 people - UCLA's Road Ahead
content type Interview primary goal Educational summary In this episode of Transition to Zero, Jared Schnader speaks with Clinton Bench, Director of Fleet and Transit at UCLA, about how the university is turning its campus into a real-world proving ground for transportation innovation. Clinton shares the scale and complexity of UCLA's fleet operations, which include more than a thousand vehicles serving everything from campus transit and passenger movement to specialized logistics like hazardous materials delivery, catering, and trash collection. He also explains how UCLA functions almost like a small city, with tens of thousands of people on campus each day and a transit system that has to serve students, employees, patients, and visitors across a dense, landlocked environment in West Los Angeles. A major theme of the conversation is UCLA's role as an "innovation laboratory" for electrification and new mobility technology. Clinton discusses how the university has been able to test battery-electric vehicles, share lessons with other universities and transit agencies, and support research partnerships across engineering, urban planning, and public policy. He also highlights progress in accessibility through a fully electrified demand-responsive paratransit system, which has dramatically expanded service for students with disabilities and helped make UCLA more accessible than it was just a few years ago. The discussion makes clear that innovation at UCLA is not just about technology for technology's sake—it's about improving service, inclusion, and operational efficiency at the same time. The conversation then turns to one of the episode's most exciting topics: UCLA's electrified road charging and mobility hub project, developed with CalStart and Electrion. Clinton explains how the project combines full transit bus electrification, a new mobility hub near the Westwood station, and wireless charging infrastructure that could reduce vehicle battery size, lower capital costs, and create new opportunities for shared charging revenue. He also walks through the practical side of implementation, including authentication, billing, and the use of fleet management systems to track usage and recover costs from internal and external users. Finally, Clinton describes how the mobility hub will support major regional changes, including the opening of the D Line extension and UCLA's role as the Olympic Village for the 2028 Games, where mobility, shuttles, and access planning will all be critical. keywords UCLA, campus transportation, electric vehicles, inductive charging, mobility hub, transit innovation, sustainable transit, UCLA Olympics, regional transit, electric fleet key topics UCLA campus transportation fleet Electrification of transit vehicles Dynamic inductive charging technology Mobility hub development at UCLA Regional transit improvements and Olympics prep guest name Clinton Bench Titles UCLA's Electric Fleet and Mobility Innovations Transforming Campus Transit: UCLA's Sustainable Future sound bites "Welcome to Transition to Zero, focusing on advanced transportation." "Wireless charging reduces battery size and costs." "Inductive charging can generate revenue and recoup costs." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to UCLA's Fleet Operations 02:27 UCLA's Role as a Living Laboratory for Innovation 05:08 Advancements in Paratransit Services 07:42 Exploring Electrified Roads and Dynamic Charging 10:30 The Mobility Hub and Its Impact on UCLA 12:47 Preparing for the 2028 Olympics at UCLA resources Electrion - Dynamic Inductive Charging Technology - https://electrion.com UCLA Transportation Department - https://transportation.ucla.edu LA 2028 Olympics Official Site - https://la28.org guest links LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/clintonbench Twitter - https://twitter.com/clintonbench
- Jun 16, 202637 min
Electric and Fuel Cell Buses: Maintenance and Workforce Challenges from VVTA
summary In this episode, Dustin Strandberg from Victor Valley Transit shares insights on transitioning to zero-emission transit vehicles, maintenance challenges, workforce development, and operational impacts of electric and fuel cell buses. keywords Transit, Electric Buses, Fuel Cell, Maintenance, Workforce Development, Zero Emission Vehicles, CNG, Battery Electric, Hydrogen Fuel Cells, Transit Technology key topics Transition to zero-emission transit vehicles Maintenance challenges and solutions for electric and fuel cell buses Workforce training and development for new transit technologies guest name Dustin Strandberg sound bites "Range exceeded my expectations at first" "Battery uptime dropped to around 40%" "Cold weather causes a 40% range loss" Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Victor Valley Transit and Its Operations 02:48 Transitioning to Zero Emission Technologies 05:31 Challenges and Surprises in Battery Electric Bus Operations 08:05 Impact of Environmental Conditions on Bus Performance 10:41 Maintenance and Cost Analysis of Zero Emission Buses 13:30 Training and Workforce Development for New Technologies 16:01 The Future of Transit Careers and Community Involvement resources Victor Valley Transit Authority (VVTA) - https://vvta.org/ New Flyer Electric Buses - https://www.newflyer.com/ Southern California Edison - Charge Ready Program - https://www.sce.com/ California Transit Training Center (CTTC) - https://www.cttc.com/ guest links LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustin-strandberg-123456789/
- Jun 2, 202633 min
CUTRIC: Canada's ZEB Market
In this episode, Jess Smith from CUTRIC shares insights on Canada's transition to zero-emission transit, including hydrogen projects, battery electric buses, funding strategies, and technological innovations shaping the future of sustainable transit. keywords Zero Emission Transit, Hydrogen Fuel Cells, Battery Electric Buses, Transit Funding, Sustainable Transportation, Canada Transit Innovation key topics Hydrogen projects and their regional deployment in Canada Advancements in battery electric bus technology and range improvements Funding strategies and government support for zero emission transit The role of software, data analytics, and predictive tools in fleet management Challenges and opportunities in hydrogen fuel cell adoption guest name Jess Smith Titles Canada's Zero Emission Transit Revolution: Insights from CUTRIC Hydrogen and Battery Electric Buses: The Future of Canadian Transit sound bites "No technology is a clear winner in decarbonizing fleets." "Plans must evolve with technological advancements." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to CUTRIC and Jess Smith's Role 00:49 CUTRIC's Mission and Canada's Zero Emission Goals 01:43 Current Developments in Canadian Transit Technologies 02:58 Hydrogen Projects and Regional Deployment in Canada 03:47 Cost of Hydrogen and Market Dynamics 04:37 Adoption Trends: Battery Electric vs Hydrogen Fuel Cells 05:30 Canadian Government Targets and Progress 06:42 Strategies for Charging Infrastructure and Standardization 07:22 Innovations in Data Analytics and Software Tools 08:18 Future Trends: Autonomous Shuttles and Smart Transit Systems 09:19 Funding Strategies and the Role of Federal and Provincial Support 10:05 Overcoming Planning Gaps and Utility Coordination 11:12 Lessons Learned and Best Practices for Transit Agencies 12:04 The Impact of Funding and Policy on Transition Speed 12:58 Collaborative Procurement and Supporting Smaller Agencies 13:57 Charging Infrastructure Challenges and Solutions 15:00 Hydrogen Production, Costs, and Market Outlook 15:36 Operational Challenges in Cold Weather Conditions 16:50 Planning for Future Technologies and Market Shifts 17:22 The Importance of Early Planning and Flexibility 18:43 Emerging Technologies: Inductive Charging and Autonomous Vehicles 19:15 The Role of Data and Software in Fleet Optimization 20:22 The Critical Role of Funding and Policy Support 21:21 Addressing Gaps in Utility Coordination and Infrastructure 22:05 Lessons from Canada for U.S. Transit Agencies 22:57 The Future of Zero Emission Transit: Trends and Predictions 23:46 Advice for Transit Leaders Considering Electrification 24:50 Innovations in Data Analytics and Smart Transit Systems 25:39 The Next Five Years: Technologies and Market Evolution 26:38 Final Message: Early Planning and Flexibility 27:40 Jess Smith's Key Message to Transit Agencies resources CUTRIC Official Website - https://CUTRIC.ca/ Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology Overview - https://www.energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/hydrogen-fuel-cells Canadian Zero Emission Transit Funding Programs - https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/climate-change/zero-emission-transit.html guest links LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-smith/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/jesssmith
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