The 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming to North America—and for public transportation agencies across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the countdown is already underway.

In this episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort speaks with transportation journalist Dan Zukowski of Smart Cities Dive about the enormous mobility challenge behind one of the world’s biggest sporting events. From Los Angeles and Boston to New York-New Jersey and Atlanta, transit agencies are preparing to move hundreds of thousands of visitors safely, efficiently, and seamlessly through their cities.

Dan breaks down how agencies are expanding service, coordinating with law enforcement, improving customer wayfinding, and preparing for the unique pressures of international visitors arriving during weekday rush hours. The conversation also explores how the World Cup could become a defining moment for public transportation in America—and potentially leave behind lasting improvements for riders long after the final match.

Paul and Dan discuss:

• How host cities are preparing transit systems for FIFA 2026
• Why mobility is central to the success of mega-events
• LA Metro’s long-term “Twenty-Eight by 28” infrastructure strategy
• The role of transit ambassadors and multilingual wayfinding
• Crowd management, security, and game-day operations
• How agencies are coordinating buses, trains, bikes, scooters, Uber, and more
• The opportunity to win over new riders through positive transit experiences
• What cities could learn ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

If transit works well during the World Cup, it won’t just move fans—it could reshape how cities and residents think about public transportation for years to come.

🎧 Also in this episode:

• Insights from Smart Cities Dive’s transportation coverage
• The future of multimodal mobility and regional coordination
• Why major sporting events are becoming transit proving grounds

This episode offers a fascinating look at the planning, logistics, and strategy required to deliver mobility on a global stage.

Host and Producer: Paul Comfort

Executive Producer: Julie Gates

Producer: Chris O’Keeffe

Editor: Patrick Emile

Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin

Brand Design: Tina Olagundoye

Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo, passionate about moving the world’s people.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this presentation, from any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken in response to it.

Commuter rail is being reinvented—and at Virginia Railway Express (VRE), that shift starts with one big idea: becoming a true regional rail system.

Katie Choe, CEO of VRE, joins Paul Comfort to explain how the agency is moving beyond its traditional peak-hour, commuter-focused model toward a more flexible, all-day, bi-directional network designed for today’s travel patterns.

At the center of that transformation is VRE’s System Plan 2050, a roadmap to expand service, increase frequency, and serve a broader mix of riders—from daily commuters to evening, weekend, and recreational travelers.

In this episode, Katie breaks down:

• What it really means to shift from commuter rail to regional rail
• How VRE plans to deliver a 60% increase in service by 2030
• The challenge of operating on shared freight corridors—and how new capacity changes the game
• Why diversifying beyond federal commuters is critical to long-term growth
• How agencies can make incremental service improvements now, before major infrastructure is complete

The conversation also highlights one of VRE’s biggest differentiators: customer experience. From meeting first-time riders at the station to achieving more than 60% participation in annual rider surveys, VRE has built a level of trust that directly informs how the system evolves.

With a background spanning Massport, the City of Boston, and the MBTA, Katie brings a systems-level view to the role—balancing infrastructure, operations, and rider needs as VRE navigates this transition.

What’s next?

While major expansion is on the horizon, VRE isn’t waiting. The team is already exploring extended evening service, special event trains, and new ways to attract riders in the near term—all part of the shift toward a more dynamic, regional system.Credits

Host and Producer: Paul Comfort

Executive Producer: Julie Gates

Producer: Chris O’Keeffe

Editor: Patrick Emile

Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin

Brand Design: Tina Olagundoye

Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo, passionate about moving the world’s people.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this presentation, from any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken in response to it.

In this quarterly Transit Unplugged Insider, Paul Comfort and Julie Gates break down the most important developments shaping public transportation right now—from Washington leadership changes to emerging mobility technology.

They cover the five biggest stories transit leaders need to know, including:

FTA Leadership Shakeup – With no administrator or deputy currently in place, what does this leadership gap mean for the Federal Transit Administration and the industry at large?

Federal Funding Uncertainty – Proposed budget changes with potential cuts exceeding 20% year-over-year . What’s at risk—and how is the industry responding?

Reauthorization Outlook – Why the next major transportation bill may not pass this year, and what that delay could mean for agencies planning long-term investments .

Innovation Acceleration – From autonomous vehicles to electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, new technologies are rapidly moving from pilot programs to real-world deployment .

ThinkTransit Takeaways – Key insights from executive leaders across North America on cybersecurity, AI, safety, and operational strategy.

You’ll also hear:

Why rising fuel prices could drive increased transit ridership

How agencies are preparing for funding and policy uncertainty

What 500,000 weekly autonomous rides signal about the future of mobility

Why having a cybersecurity response plan is now essential

This episode is your insider briefing on the policies, people, and technologies shaping transit in 2026—with context you won’t hear anywhere else.

00:00 Insider Episode Kickoff

01:09 Big Changes at FTA

01:32 Leadership Vacuum Explained

02:22 Matt Webber Retires

03:00 Jamie Fister Steps In

03:30 Who Will Lead Next

04:25 Transit Funding Shakeup

05:01 Why the Budget Drops

06:45 APTA Pushback Strategy

07:26 Reauthorization Clock Ticking

10:35 Gas Prices and Ridership

12:18 EV Fees and Innovation Pivot

12:50 VTOLs and Advanced Air Mobility

17:12 Autonomous Vehicles Go Mainstream

Credits

Host and Producer: Paul Comfort

Executive Producer: Julie Gates

Producer: Chris O’Keeffe

Editor: Patrick Emile

Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin

Brand Design: Tina Olagundoye

Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo, passionate about moving the world’s people.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this presentation, from any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken in response to it.