Episode 5

Charting the path forward for public transit with Dr. Karen Philbrick

Recorded live at ThinkTransit in Nashville, TN, April 3rd, 2023, Dr. Karen Philbrick, Executive Director of the Mineta Transportation Institute, giving the Day One keynote address on the challenges, and opportunities, facing public transit today.

Dr. Philbrick talked about:


  • Building a stronger, more inclusive, and more resilient workforce by helping spread the word that there are more careers in public transit than drivers and mechanics
  • Taking care of ourselves. Being mindful of our own mental health and overall health
  • Facing the challenges of ridership and the new three-day cities by modeling what we want transit to be...and making it happen.

Included in this episode is the Q&A after her address where she dives even deeper into workforce, equality, and making transit work for everyone.

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Inside Trapeze and Vontas

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About your host

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Tris Hussey

Tris Hussey is the Blog and Podcast Manager at Modaxo and Producer/Editor of Transit Unplugged. Tris is a best-selling author and former tech blogger who turned a passion for technology into a career. After two decades working at various technology, internet, and social media companies, he loves being able to marry his love of technology with his love of public transit at Trapeze. A self-professed transit nerd, he'll take the train to get anywhere if given the chance.