Transportopia: Public Transport Stories & Ideas

A podcast and blog about public transportation and the urban environment hosted by public transit marketing veteran and former broadcast journalist, Rick L’Amie

Transportopia: Public Transport Stories & Ideas is a society podcast hosted by Rick L’Amie, with 50 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Rick L’Amie hosts Transportopia: Public Transport Stories & Ideas, a society show with 50 episodes published.

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  Episode #46

  News and Views: September 30, 2026: Amtrak Debuts new Airo Trainsets in Seattle

  Sep 30, 20267 minS2

  In this bonus New and Views episode we cover Amtrak's new Airo trainsets debuting on the Cascades route, Sound Transit's early opening of Pinehurst Station, Brightline's Chapter 11 filing despite rising ridership, Waymo's transit-linked credit in the Bay Area, and New York City's "Stripehog" truck removing old paint to speed bus and bike lane projects. The episode features launch-day interviews, details on Airo's passenger amenities, the financing issues behind Brightline, and how street redesigns and new tools are improving transit service. Also, we're pleased to announce our new Patreon page - and you can become a member to support our work. Members get perks and merch. Check it out at www.transportopia.org/patreon Show Notes: Amtrak Airo debuts on the Cascades: https://media.amtrak.com/2026/09/a-new-era-for-amtrak-cascades-airo-fleet-debuts-sept-30/ Sound Transit opens Pinehurst Station: https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/news-releases/pinehurst-station-will-open-september-30 Brightline files for Chapter 11: https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2026/09/25/886892.htm Waymo Transit Rewards: https://sf.streetsblog.org/2026/09/24/advocates-skeptical-about-waymos-transit-rewards-program NYC's Stripe Hog: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/15/nyregion/road-cleaning-stripe-hog-nyc.html

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  Episode #1

  Making the Business Case for Transit: Closing the Belief Gap

  Sep 22, 202647 minS2

  Transportopia Host Rick L'Amie talks with Sam Sargent of VTA in Santa Clara County California about how transit agencies can make the business case for public transportation: who to persuade, what arguments work, and how to close the gap between people believing transit is good and actually supporting it. The conversation covers four audiences (taxpayers who never ride, drivers stuck in traffic, riders weighing time and autonomy, and citywide observers), VTA’s unique role, the Transit Narrative Project findings, and practical strategies like frequency, customer experience, and making transit visible and trustworthy. Show Notes: The Transit Narrative Project VTA - Valley Transportation Authority

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  Episode #45

  Encore Episode: Take the Train - Confessions of a G Train Subway Rider

  Sep 8, 202620 minS1

  Transportopia host Rick L'Amie plays an encore of his favorite episode: a conversation with his daughter Lauren, a ten-year New York resident and daily subway rider. They ride the G and 7 trains, discuss OMNY replacing the MetroCard, quirks of the G, pandemic life, MTA strengths and frustrations, and the realities of car-free living. Lauren’s simple advice — take the train — anchors a broader reflection on transit as the city’s heartbeat, schlep culture, and why public transportation must work for everyone.

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  Episode #44

  News and Views Sept. 1, 2026: Chicago Expands Its High-Frequency Bus Network — A Nationwide Trend

  Sep 1, 20267 minS1

  This Bonus News and Views episode covers three major Chicago transit stories: the CTA’s expansion of its frequent bus network to increase ridership and reduce wait times, a $10 million pilot deploying non-law enforcement crisis specialists on rail lines to address homelessness and mental health crises, and the creation of a new regional transit authority (NITA) that consolidates CTA, Metra, and Pace governance. We explain why frequency is driving ridership, how non-police responders fit into national safety trends, and what the governance change could mean for coordination across the region. Show Notes: Story 1: Frequent Network expansion CTA Bolsters Frequent Network with Four Additional Routes by End of 2026 — Chicago Transit Authority press release, August 18, 2026 Transport Chicago's "Year of the Bus" panel discussed CTA service upgrades that contributed to increased ridership — Streetsblog Chicago Metro Bus Network Redesign, Houston — NACTO Transit Ridership Falling Everywhere — But Not in Cities With Redesigned Bus Networks — Streetsblog USA (Houston and Seattle comparison) Story 2: Crisis intervention pilot CTA deploying violence interrupters, mental health clinicians on trains this fall — Chicago Sun-Times CTA Board Approves Slate of Social Service Outreach Efforts Focused on Violence Intervention, Homelessness — WTTW News Homelessness: A Guide for Public Transportation — National Academies Press (BART, SEPTA, MARTA program details) MTA Keeps Cops At Fore Of Homeless Response As Other Transit Systems Embrace Social Services — Patch (LA Metro and NYC MTA comparison) Story 3: Northern Illinois Transit Authority transition CTA Board Approves Slate of Social Service Outreach Efforts Focused on Violence Intervention, Homelessness — WTTW News

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  Episode #43

  Eyes on Board: Mapping Harassment to Reclaim Transit

  Aug 25, 202617 minS1

  In this episode Rick L'Amie interviews Indigo Rosenberg of San Francisco Transit Riders about Eyes on Board, a live map and anonymous survey documenting harassment on public transit. The project collects location, time, route, and short descriptions while offering an educational campaign to define harassment and suggest bystander responses. The conversation shows how lived experiences limit mobility, explains why reporting matters, and urges listeners to report incidents to help reclaim safer, more walkable cities. Show Notes: Eyes on Board website: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/8660b07fafbd40e98ae67e0f54fff8f3 Streetsblog SF article - Guest Post: Documenting Harassment on Public Transit: https://sf.streetsblog.org/2026/08/12/guest-post-documenting-harassment-on-public-transit?utm_source=streetsblog-usa.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=wednesday-8217-s-streetsblog-newsletter Eyes on Board: Documenting Harassment and Impaired Mobility - Medium: https://medium.com/san-francisco-transit-riders/eyes-on-board-documenting-harassment-and-impaired-mobility-fdb563083fc9 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eyesonboard.sf?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsi=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

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