June 4, 2025 • 21 mins
Markus Moore, Director of Transportation for the City of Annapolis, joins Paul Comfort from the rooftop of the Hillman Garage during Naval Academy Commissioning Week for a wide-ranging conversation about his remarkable journey through transit. From helping launch high-speed rail in North America as part of the Acela project at Amtrak, to managing local bus and on-demand service in Maryland’s historic capital city, Markus brings decades of cross-modal experience and leadership to the mic.
This interview is a companion episode to an upcoming Transit Unplugged TV episode focused on Maryland’s transit ecosystem, featuring Annapolis, Howard County, and MTA.
In This Episode:
- What it means to run transit in a state capital with high seasonal and political visibility
- The evolution of Annapolis’s fixed-route, paratransit, and on-demand services
- Reflections on the launch of high-speed rail in the U.S. via the Acela project
- How Commissioning Week and tourism reshape service in a city like Annapolis
- The rollout of electric buses and steps toward a greener fleet
- Collaboration with MTA, RTA, and other regional transit partners
- Career lessons from rail, freight, and bus systems across the U.S.
Podcast Credits:
Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo
Creator, Host, + Producer: Paul Comfort
Executive Producer: Julie Gates
Producer + Newsletter Editor: Chris O’Keeffe
Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin
Special thanks to:
Brand Design: Tina Olagundoye
Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova
Got a question or comment? Email us at: info@transitunplugged.com
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transitunplugged.com/subscribe-to-the-transit-unplugged-newsletter
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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.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Paul Comfort (00:08):
Hi, I'm Paul Comfort and this is Transit Unplugged.
And today I have the pleasure of bringingto you at interview with my friend Marcus
Moore, who is director of Transportation.
From the city of Annapolis, Maryland,my home state, just across the
Chesapeake Bay from where I live.
I actually lived in Annapolis for a coupleyears when I was younger as a child.
Uh, and this interview is acompanion episode to our upcoming
(00:30):
Transit and Unplugged TV episodein which we include an interview
with Marcus Moore as well as a.
Uh, Holly Arnold, the CEO of theMTA in Baltimore, and we look at the
purple line and other transit systemsaround the state, um, including
one in Howard County, the RTA.
All of that is coming up in our Septemberepisode of Transit Unplugged tv,
our once a month television program.
(00:51):
We actually record this podcast onthe roof of the Hillman Garage on my
phone, talking about transit, Annapolis.
Of course, Annapolis is thecapital of the state of Maryland.
Not only do they have a Naval Academythere, but they have, you know, the
State House, the General Assembly,the governor's office and all that,
and it's a great historic city.
It's also the sailingcapital of the United States.
And there's so many, uh, facets totheir public transportation system.
(01:14):
I wanted him to share itwith you on this podcast.
And so he does.
I think you'll find it fascinating.
Speaking of Transit Unplugged tv, this isa companion episode as I mentioned, but
we had a great honor this last week andthat was, we were honored with the 46th
Annual Tell Award for travel and Tourism.
That's right.
It's probably our highesthonor we've ever won.
Uh, we.
Submitted this episode, the RockyMountaineer Train Experience.
(01:37):
Uh, and it earned a bronzetele in travel and tourism.
It was recognized for excellencein an online and television series.
It's the same show that we wonthese two awards for the, uh,
communicator Award and the WorldwideWeb W three award this last year.
This is a great episode.
Go to our YouTube page, transitUnplugged tv and check it out.
It's the Rocky Mountaineer experience.
(01:58):
I'd done a podcast interview, uh,with the president after I rode the.
The Rocky Mountaineer train that, that wasDenver to Moab route, which was fantastic.
And they said, we'd like you tocome up and join with other media
and um, do an episode in Canada.
So we did that and it was fantastic.
And the show is unlike any other.
We've done a real tourism type show.
I think you'll love it.
(02:19):
Check it out.
Um.
I wanna give congratulationsto our team, of course, myself
as the host and producer.
I loved making this episode.
It's one of the most funepisodes I've been on.
Uh, but really a lot of credit goes toour video director and music director
and creative director, Jamie Quadra.
Uh, and, uh, also Herardo.
Colin Tuo was helping U.S. on it some.
(02:40):
And our executive producer forour program is Julie Gates.
Thanks to all them for their role in this.
We've got a lot ofgreat upcoming episodes.
Uh, coming up with Transit Unpluggedtv, like I said, including the
one right here in Maryland and myhome county of Queen Annes County.
Two episodes.
The Maryland episode that supportsthis podcast will air in September.
The Queen Annes Countyepisode will air in October.
(03:01):
Now let's jump into this fun interview wedid from the roof of a parking garage in
downtown Annapolis with Marcus Moore, theDirector of Transportation for the City.
Enjoy.
This is Paul Comfort and we are indowntown Annapolis and commissioning
week for the Naval Academy.
I'm standing on top of the Hillman Garage.
And I'm with Marcus Moore.
Who
yeah.
We're looking right behind your,your shoulder as the state capitol.
(03:22):
Yes sir. The great dome.
This is the oldest.
What is it?
The oldest,
Marcus Moore (03:25):
oldest, uh, working legislative building in the United States.
That's amazing.
And what's your officialtitle here at Annapolis?
I am the director of Transportation andparking for the City of Annapolis Public.
So you work for the city government?
I do work for the city government.
So tell U.S. about
Paul Comfort (03:38):
your transit system.
Marcus Moore (03:39):
Our transit system is like a pulse system.
We have a fixed route.
Uh, we have a DA complimentaryparatransit, and we're piloting a
new on demand transit service thatwe go when you, where you want
to go, uh, when you want to go.
Within three quarters of amile of our fixed root stocks.
This is a pilot program thatwe started last July and it's
really working out pretty well.
Paul, we're really excitedto try something new.
(04:01):
. So, um, how long have youbeen here in this job?
I've been here with the city ofAnnapolis, department of Transportation
since, uh, December of 2015.
And my current position as Director ofTransportation since October of 2022.
Paul Comfort (04:12):
We were just talking about kind of our shared background
and, , tell U.S. about some ofyour past because it is, you have
a great history for transportation.
In both rail and bus.
Marcus Moore (04:21):
Yeah.
Paul, thanks for asking.
Going back to 1983, I started withuh, NRPC, which is National Railroad
Passenger Corporation, betterknown to most people as Amtrak.
Amtrak.
That's right, baby.
Yes.
I started as a trainer, attend outta NewYork City, uh, doing most of the East
Coast runs and transferred to WashingtonDC Uh, did that for about four or five
years before I went into ticketing.
Uh, I was a ticket agent for about twoor three years in station operations,
(04:44):
and then I ran the auto train for about.
Four years from 92 to 97.
That's pretty cool, dude.
Yeah, it was really a lot of fun.
But the most fun, uh, job thatI think I had was bringing high
speed rail to North America.
That was on the Ella projectout of , Philadelphia office.
So high-speed rail that came, , tofruition back in 20 2001 as a part of
bringing that in, , bringing a lot of our,our employees, uh, conductors, engineers.
(05:08):
Onboard service attendants to seehow they, , do it in another country.
So we got a chance to travel andbenchmark some high speed rail in Europe.
And how fast is that Acela train
Paul Comfort (05:16):
go?
I've ridden it, it's pretty
Marcus Moore (05:17):
fast.
What it did, it, uh, with tilt technologywas able to take, , certain curves at
a higher speed, but the highest, uh,recorded speed is 150 miles an hour.
Wow.
And that's up in New England.
There's only about 30 milesof track that it gets to that.
But the old Metroliners in thenortheast quarter got as high as 1 25.
And these can take thecurves also at 1 35.
So it is pretty fast gettingfrom Washington, DC and
(05:39):
clearly DC to Boston where theyelectrified that segment of track.
They used to take five hours, broughtit down to like two and a half.
Paul Comfort (05:46):
Really?
Yeah.
Yeah.
I've done it.
I, I ride from, um, Wilmington,Wilmington, Delaware.
Yeah.
To Joe Biden station rightthere where he's from.
Delaware guy, you know, and,uh, ride it up to New York City.
Yes.
Yeah.
Or I will go to One Pen Plaza to gosee New Jersey Transit, and I think
later this year I'm gonna ride it.
Marcus Moore (06:02):
It's really a great way to go, you know, sit back and watch sea.
Uh, what do they say is, uh,see America at sea level.
Oh yeah.
So you're even to go, you can justtravel and, and have a nice beverage
and look at the scenery you're going by.
So, but that's a great rep.
Paul Comfort (06:14):
Let's swing back in your story a little bit then.
So you were at Amtrak for how many years?
Uh,
Marcus Moore (06:18):
eh, 20.
20 years.
Mm-hmm.
Paul Comfort (06:20):
Got a full career in.
Full career In.
And then what'd you do after that?
Marcus Moore (06:22):
After that I went to, uh, freight Railroad.
I worked.
For Norfolk Southern got qualifiedas a freight train conductor from
CP three, which is just south of thePhiladelphia station to the Susquehanna.
So I brought a lot of uh, cars to likeChrysler Yard, and I was a part of Norfolk
Southern's Harrisburg crew base in theNew Castle subdivision in Delaware.
Okay.
For about a year.
That's so and then what?
(06:43):
And then I came into busing, andthen busing comes in around 2006.
Okay.
And I worked at BWI as theassistant general manager for MAA.
We were the contract bus operator.
For the, uh, state ownedgarages, long-term, a long-term
B deal garage, and all.
Oh yeah.
You're
Paul Comfort (06:58):
the one I gotta complain
Marcus Moore (06:59):
to.
Paul Comfort (06:59):
Kidding.
Marcus Moore (07:01):
And then the, um, the old Howard County Transit
as known today as the RTA.
And when were you there?
I was there from like2000, uh, 11 to 2013.
Okay.
We were on, uh, McCallCourt in, um, Elkridge.
Paul Comfort (07:14):
And did you work for, who did you actually work directly for then?
Marcus Moore (07:17):
Uh, then was, uh, David Van Fosen was the vice
president of, I remember him, um,first Transit, but , through CMRT.
There was a guy by thename of John Powell.
Yes.
He was the, uh.
Uh, CEOI believe of CMRT.
Paul Comfort (07:30):
Yeah.
So he was our client.
Again, our path could have almostcrossed because I was managing
that Operation Howard Area Transit.
Remember, it was hats for a while.
Hats, yes.
And then Howard Transit, we got thatgreen, the green buses we created
that Howard Green color, it wasthe only transportation system in
America run by a Chamber of Commerce.
Mm-hmm.
Who had the CMRT logo?
I had a guy named RonScots that was there.
(07:52):
Yes, yes.
I, I still see him.
And Ray somebody was our, was our directorthere, but I worked for the contractor.
Marcus Moore (07:56):
Yes.
Paul Comfort (07:57):
But it was yellow.
Yes.
And, and then yellowbecame, you know, uh, Conex.
Yes.
Which became Veolia.
Yep.
Which became Transdab.
And so you were there
Marcus Moore (08:05):
for first I was there for First Transit.
Okay.
And also working with John Powell wasa guy by the name of, uh, Maynard Nash.
Oh, I know.
Maynard Maynard was working with RonSCOs and all, we were all there together.
This's such a funny small world man.
This is
Paul Comfort (08:16):
so, how many years did you do that?
Marcus Moore (08:17):
Uh, there with first transit in about five and a half years.
Okay.
Before I went to National Expressand they said, go west, young man.
And I went to Vallejo, California.
And
Paul Comfort (08:25):
that's where you met my buddy John Duncan, right?
Yes.
I met John Duncan there.
That's right.
Yeah.
Yes.
Marcus Moore (08:29):
Yep.
So ran, um, uh, Vallejo or,you know, in, uh, Vallejo.
California.
California.
California.
Yeah.
So on of transportation inMagnesia, Vallejo, California.
And, um, we ran that operationfor, for about six months.
Okay.
Before I decided to go to South Florida.
Ah.
And then was another contract and we were.
The sub, uh, contractor for the HollywoodFort Lauderdale airport for their
(08:52):
transportation to the parking garages.
Oh yeah.
We were
Paul Comfort (08:55):
just there.
We just filmed there.
Wow.
That's a great, great location, huh?
Cory Lonergan, who is CEOof Broward County Transit.
Okay.
She just did the podcast.
Yeah.
And then what?
Marcus Moore (09:03):
Uh, then came to good old city of Annapolis in, uh,
December of 2015 and been here since.
So 10 years, baby.
10 years just about here.
Yes sir. Yeah.
Paul Comfort (09:10):
That's amazing.
And what's it like running asystem in the state capitol?
Marcus Moore (09:13):
It is so amazing to see so many different folks that come here.
We have a melting pot of, of visitors,of residents, of business owners.
It's really just a great place tobe and in our own, uh, backyard with
the employees that, um, I work with.
The same kind of melting pot is reallyjust great with the, you know, if you
want great seafood, you come out here.
That's right.
Take, you know Right onthe, uh, Chesapeake Bay.
(09:34):
We just had some, so we did really justhave some, one of the local restaurants.
Yeah.
So the Saturn River goinginto Chesapeake Bay that goes
into, uh, Atlantic Ocean, who
Paul Comfort (09:42):
could
Marcus Moore (09:42):
ask for anything
Paul Comfort (09:43):
more?
Yeah.
If you, and this is really thesailing capital of the world, right?
This is the sailing capital.
Yeah.
So many sail boats here.
Yep.
Marcus Moore (09:48):
Just at our boat show, uh, back
in April, and then the Fall boat showwith the Power Boat sailboats in October.
Uh, please come out.
We're reimagining a city dock.
It's gonna be a, a worldclass, uh, event area.
Really?
I didn't know that.
Yeah, that's being redeveloped right now.
Oh, that's awesome, man.
Yep.
Paul Comfort (10:02):
In about two and a half years.
We should be done.
For those people who don't know,the Annapolis downtown area is like.
Nowhere else in the country.
Mm-hmm.
Uh, and uh, the inner Harborarea is just fantastic.
And it's right next to theUnited States Naval Academy.
It sure is.
Which is why we're up here onthe garage roof today, right?
Marcus Moore (10:17):
Yes,
Paul Comfort (10:17):
there was.
So when we come back in just aminute, we'll talk more about the
Naval Academy and the role of transitin moving, uh, a state capital.
Hey friends, it's Paul Comforthost of Transit Unplugged, and I've
got some exciting news to share.
Did you know that Transit Unpluggedis now a hybrid podcast experience?
That's right.
We're not just in your ears anymore.
(10:38):
We're on your screens too.
Each week on YouTube now you'llfind a brand new version of our show
featuring a video intro from me,plus behind the scenes photos and
visuals of our guests when we recordinterviews on location in person.
From transit centers towaterfronts and boardrooms,
we're taking you there visually.
Adding a whole new layer to thestorytelling and the response
(10:59):
so far has been amazing.
Thousands of people are already watchingand listening on YouTube and most
get this are watching on their TVs.
So if you haven't yet, take amoment to check U.S. out on YouTube.
Just search TransitUnplug podcast on YouTube.
Then hit subscribe and experience theshow each week in a whole new way.
(11:20):
We're making transit media more dynamic,more accessible, and more fun than ever.
And I'd love to haveyou along for the ride.
Now let's get back to the conversation.
We're back with Marcus Moore whois the head of transportation
for the city of Annapolis.
Marcus, tell U.S. about theNaval Academy and uh, and their
interaction with the city, et cetera.
Marcus Moore (11:41):
Yeah, thanks for asking.
The Naval Academy has been here founded,uh, back in like 1845 and it's really a
gemstone here and it really gives a lotof prestige to the city of Annapolis.
Yes, they're a great partnerto be here with them.
With, with U.S. and the Naval Academy,as most people know, they train, uh,
officers for the, uh, the Marine Corpsand the United States Navy, of course,
right to, to be officers and go out inthe world and serve, serve our country.
(12:03):
Uh, it's really a great partner with them.
Um, as you take a look downtown,you'll sometimes see them walking
about with their families.
Yeah.
The mid shipmen, their white uniform.
I saw a bunch of today.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Well, this is commissioning.
We, uh, uh, Paul, um, and we we're lookingforward to seeing all of them tell U.S.
what that means.
Commissioning week is when these, uh,graduates become commissioned officers
and they get their deployment somewherearound the country, around the world,
(12:25):
uh, to serve, uh, the country as theyjust got their, um, their degree here.
Yeah, so yesterday we had thepractice of the Blue Angels.
Today is the show, , And Friday isactually the commissioning ceremony.
At the United States Naval Academyparking lot, , and this is a
really big time for the city.
It brings a lot of visitors andguests, uh, media and light to
just see this kind of event.
(12:46):
Yeah.
It's really exciting to be around this.
It is.
Paul Comfort (12:48):
Yeah.
For those of you who are listening,we are, uh, we're also filming an
episode of our television show,transit Unplugged tv, and I'm here
with our video director, Jaime Quadra.
Hello Paul and a bunch of other folks.
Congratulations for thelatest award, teleworks.
That's right.
And, uh, got some other friends with U.S.
too, who are helping U.S. film.
And um, , you'll be able to seewhat Marcus has been talking
(13:09):
about because we're filming here.
We'll show you the city, we'llshow you Actually, we're gonna
show one of your free buses.
Tell U.S. about that.
Marcus Moore (13:14):
Oh yes.
The Magenta Shuttle PAis our free services.
Uh, it's a circulator bus, uh, it'scalled the Magenta Downtown Shuttle.
It starts just outside ofthe city at Park Place.
Garage runs about every 20minutes, every single day.
Some abbreviated schedules on weekends,like Sunday, eight to eight, uh,
Saturdays, eight until midnight, , Mondaythrough Friday, , six o'clock in the
(13:34):
morning until 11 o'clock at night.
So it's a great shuttle service.
It's a great shuttle.
It, the whole loop isabout a mile and a half.
And it takes about 20 minutesto go from start to finish.
So jump on and off.
There's a bunch of stops along the way.
Look for the magentashuttle, , and stop and yeah.
Flag it down and jump right on.
Oh,
Paul Comfort (13:51):
that's awesome.
So we are like standing, it's not reallysunny today, but in the shadow, let's say
metaphorically of the state capitol dome.
Oh gosh, yes.
Uh, which is just phenomenal looking.
If you, if you've never seen theAnnapolis Dome of our state capitol,
it is just a tremendous place when.
When I was CEO of the MTA,I spent a lot of time there
testifying before the legislature.
Uh, but what's it like having them comeinto town where you've got the delegates
(14:13):
and the state senators and the governorand his staff all, I mean, right here,
right in your system sometimes, I'm sure.
Marcus Moore (14:19):
Absolutely, Paul.
So for those a hundred days, startingin the early part of January, all to
the middle of April, um, the legislativesession, all kinds of bills, all kinds
of, um, legislators from around thestate are going to descend on the.
State capital to introduce your billsand hopefully get 'em through committee.
And as you've been, , saying Paul asan advocate for public transportation,
um, those are some really big billsthat we want to get through to.
(14:41):
Um, we wanna really make sure we have aavenue to get those that have an option
out of their cars and ride the bus.
Yeah.
How do they do that whenit's safe, reliable, and
convenient for them to do so?
Right now you get a lot more ofjust, uh, folks that you know
that they're dependent on it.
So being able to be able to increasethe, um, the footprint of what we
have and where we go is what we wantto do to get people outta the cars.
(15:04):
Absolutely.
Paul Comfort (15:05):
Let's talk some about your system a little bit more.
How many drivers?
The union, I think that's interesting.
They're, they're in a, uh, sotell U.S. a little bit about that.
Marcus Moore (15:12):
Yeah.
Our system here, um, we're probably, we'reconsidered a follow, a locally operated
transit system, better known as a lot.
There's about 23 lots in the state ofMaryland from western Maryland Cumberland,
all the way down to Ocean City.
So we're one of those and we haveabout 30 full-time drivers and
about a dozen part-time driversand they are part of the union.
And being a full-time, , employeeof the city of Annapolis, you're
(15:33):
part of the state pension system.
Paul Comfort (15:35):
Yeah, I love that.
Um, and
Marcus Moore (15:36):
then being vested 10 years to become vested to be a part of that.
And what's the name of their union?
Afme, A FS.
Me ASME is a, uh, union that representsour bus drivers and our mechanical
Paul Comfort (15:46):
state, county municipal employees.
Those kind of things.
Right, exactly.
Yeah.
Yeah, that's interesting.
And um, so you got the driversand then who else do you have?
Mechanics and
Marcus Moore (15:54):
dispatchers?
Right.
We have the supervisor dispatchersthat give the direction to the, uh,
operators when they're on the road.
And we have a fleet of mechanicsthat actually take care of our buses.
Uh, we can do about 90, 95% of all of our,um, repairs in-house, certain things we
have to send out to be, uh, a heavy lift.
But we do have an operation thathas, uh, dispatchers, supervisors,
drivers, and mechanics about a staffof about 52 to 55 employees total.
(16:18):
All right, Marcus.
Paul Comfort (16:19):
So, um, tell U.S. about the service area that you serve.
Marcus Moore (16:22):
Yeah.
Even though the city of Annapolis isabout five and a half square miles,
we have about 40,000 residents.
We're a little bit more farreaching into the county and uh,
we're connecting with other, uh,services to get you to other places.
So, you know, going out to likethe, um, community college,
which is in, uh, Arnold.
Oh, yeah.
On brought too, yeah.
I, yeah.
Down that direction Or to the mall,which is actually Save Annapolis,
(16:43):
but is actually in the county.
Okay, so we have five and a half squaremiles and about 40,000 residents.
But looking at not just the residents,but the businesses that are here,
and the Naval Academy is one of thebig, uh, employers as well as Anne
Arundel, uh, county Medical Center.
Do Midshipman ride free?
Uh, that is a good question.
And you know what the answer is?
Uh, yes.
Is that right?
(17:03):
Uh, matriculating student?
Well, K through 12.
Yeah.
Rides free during the week.
Okay.
During school sessions.
6:00 AM to 6:00 PM but thereis a, uh, student rate of $1.
Okay.
To approve.
So, yeah.
So the local college is like St.
John's?
Yes.
Which I believe is the secondoldest college in the United States.
That's right.
Yeah.
They're big liberal arts school.
Very
Paul Comfort (17:21):
well respected.
Yes.
Yeah, there's so many coolthings around there, isn't there?
Just the cobblestones, justthe, the brick streets?
Yes.
, The downtown area, the mainstreet here is phenomenal.
Um, and you're, you're under thecity of Annapolis and you kinda
report up through the mayor?
Yes.
Marcus Moore (17:35):
Uh, through the city manager
Paul Comfort (17:36):
and the mayor.
Yes.
That's good.
And you all connect in with yourregional transportation partners,
like the RTA with Jason Kwan.
I mean, we just interviewedhim the other day.
Marcus Moore (17:44):
Uh, yeah, we wanna make sure we have, um, you know, those invisible
barriers that we can connect and getto, like Crofton or to, um, other.
, Employment hubs.
Yeah.
Arundel Mills Mall run.
Arundel Mills Mall.
Yeah.
Annapolis Mall probably.
Paul Comfort (17:54):
Yeah.
Marcus Moore (17:54):
So connecting with Howard County, um, Anne Arundel
County and of course Baltimore City.
They have the number 70 bus here,Paul, that one of their longest
routes from per capco to Annapolisso we can get, you know, other places
for employment and getting to theairport and all that stuff there.
Paul Comfort (18:09):
Yeah, Annapolis is like right in the middle of Baltimore,
Washington corridor, isn't it?
It it really is.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So the MTA brings people downhere from Baltimore, right?
On routes.
They, they do, yep.
That
Marcus Moore (18:17):
one bus that does come every single day about, uh,
once every hour and a half or so, 20
Paul Comfort (18:22):
minutes.
I
And you mentioned , you'repiloting a, um, on demand.
You wanna tell U.S. about that and whatdo you think is gonna happen with that?
Marcus Moore (18:27):
Yeah, the on demand service is, um, a subscription service.
You can call our office to actually,uh, make a reservation or you can
download the app and I'll sendyou information, Paul, on that.
But you can download the app andactually call that, uh, bus for
yourself and they'll tell you when abus will actually be available to come.
Um.
Pick you up.
So what you actually do is go on.
Oh, she's doing it right now for me.
Yep.
You can book your up.
(18:47):
You show the app here.
Okay.
And it says where we are right now.
It says where I am at 1 45.
Um, main.
Okay.
Main.
Yeah.
Just
Paul Comfort (18:53):
like an Uber.
It'll tell you where you're at.
Right.
It'll
Marcus Moore (18:55):
tell you where you're at.
You tell U.S. where you want togo and it'll tell you how close.
'cause it's not like Uber will comeright to you, but there's a geo fence.
It'll tell you where you need to go.
Yeah.
Which may tell U.S. uh,Gorman Street at Main Street.
Pick up the bus.
Oh.
It'll give you a corner spot to go to it.
It will.
Okay.
It'll tell you when your bus is coming.
You can actually track your bus.
And this is the same fair Paulas our regular fix route buses.
Wow.
So $2, or if you buy a dailypass, weekly pass, you can tap
(19:16):
that and go along that way.
Seniors are half price students.
, Disabled and handicappedare half price as well.
So $1, one way.
That's awesome.
Paul Comfort (19:24):
So as I mentioned to you earlier, I, I grew up here in
Annapolis when I was very young.
My dad, we lived over in, uh, mydad had a job here in Eastport, , as
a pastor of a church over there.
And so we lived in the parsonage mm-hmm.
Uh, in Eastport and um.
I used to come over thatbridge, but eSports, like
it's part of Annapolis, right?
Still it's, yes.
Yeah.
But it's very preppy.
I hear.
Yes.
The houses are very expensive and
Marcus Moore (19:44):
Yeah, right on the water, that's is the next thing you know.
So it does get kind of bottleneckwhen you come out to kinda watch
the Blue Angels or things like that.
Yeah.
Um, but you have busservice all back in there?
We, we do have bus service down there.
We have a lot of service that goesfrom the mall to Eastport is a
turnaround point to come back out.
Okay.
So three of our routes actuallydo serve, um, Eastport all the
way to the mall and coming up.
Um, main Street that you saw earlier,
Paul Comfort (20:05):
and you mentioned over lunch that you, um, you just
bought a couple electric buses.
We do.
Tell me about that.
Marcus Moore (20:10):
We're really excited to have those in our fleet.
We have two 30 foot, , BYD, , buses thatare fully electric, but they're made
Paul Comfort (20:17):
here in America.
What's the name of the company?
Uh, the
Marcus Moore (20:18):
company is our Ride.
And they're in Lancaster, Pennsylvaniaand this little built, um,
right here in the United States.
Yeah.
And
Paul Comfort (20:24):
who's the sales guy?
Our buddy
Marcus Moore (20:25):
that used to work with U.S. Uh, Carl Wheeler.
Carl, that's, do you remember Carl?
Yeah.
Man, he's my guy.
I like him.
Yeah.
So how's that working for you?
Paul Comfort (20:31):
It's
Marcus Moore (20:31):
working out very well.
Yeah.
Okay.
Uh, people love it, you know,clean, clean, green and quiet.
We have, is our logo onthere, especially like
Paul Comfort (20:36):
in a downtown area, like Yes.
Downtown
Marcus Moore (20:38):
Annapolis.
They probably love that.
They do love it.
Yeah.
Yeah.
We're trying to change our carbonfootprint and making, you know,
the place a little bit better forthe people that come behind U.S.
Yeah, we're doing
Paul Comfort (20:45):
our share.
Well, that's wonderful.
Marcus Moore (20:47):
Anything else you wanna talk about?
Paul Comfort (20:48):
I
Marcus Moore (20:48):
can't think of anything else though, Paul, thanks for coming
out and thanks for having U.S. You know?
Yeah.
Coming down to see U.S.
Julie Gates (20:57):
Thank you for listening to this week's episode
of the Transit Unplugged Podcast.
We're so glad you're here.
My name is Julie Gates.
I'm the executive producer of theshow, and our goal is to create
programs that promote the great thingsgoing on in the transit industry
by providing you with behind thescenes access with industry executive
leadership so we can work together tofind innovative industry solutions.
(21:18):
We would love to have you be a partof the Transit Unplugged community by
having you sign up for our newsletter.
Head to the show notes to find the link.
Thanks for listening to Transit Unpluggedwith Paul Comfort, our favorite transit
evangelist, and we'll catch you next week.
Thanks for tuning in.
Hi, I'm Paul Comfort and this is Transit Unplugged.
And today I have the pleasure of bringingto you at interview with my friend Marcus
Moore, who is director of Transportation.
From the city of Annapolis, Maryland,my home state, just across the
Chesapeake Bay from where I live.
I actually lived in Annapolis for a coupleyears when I was younger as a child.
Uh, and this interview is acompanion episode to our upcoming
(00:30):
Transit and Unplugged TV episodein which we include an interview
with Marcus Moore as well as a.
Uh, Holly Arnold, the CEO of theMTA in Baltimore, and we look at the
purple line and other transit systemsaround the state, um, including
one in Howard County, the RTA.
All of that is coming up in our Septemberepisode of Transit Unplugged tv,
our once a month television program.
(00:51):
We actually record this podcast onthe roof of the Hillman Garage on my
phone, talking about transit, Annapolis.
Of course, Annapolis is thecapital of the state of Maryland.
Not only do they have a Naval Academythere, but they have, you know, the
State House, the General Assembly,the governor's office and all that,
and it's a great historic city.
It's also the sailingcapital of the United States.
And there's so many, uh, facets totheir public transportation system.
(01:14):
I wanted him to share itwith you on this podcast.
And so he does.
I think you'll find it fascinating.
Speaking of Transit Unplugged tv, this isa companion episode as I mentioned, but
we had a great honor this last week andthat was, we were honored with the 46th
Annual Tell Award for travel and Tourism.
That's right.
It's probably our highesthonor we've ever won.
Uh, we.
Submitted this episode, the RockyMountaineer Train Experience.
(01:37):
Uh, and it earned a bronzetele in travel and tourism.
It was recognized for excellencein an online and television series.
It's the same show that we wonthese two awards for the, uh,
communicator Award and the WorldwideWeb W three award this last year.
This is a great episode.
Go to our YouTube page, transitUnplugged tv and check it out.
It's the Rocky Mountaineer experience.
(01:58):
I'd done a podcast interview, uh,with the president after I rode the.
The Rocky Mountaineer train that, that wasDenver to Moab route, which was fantastic.
And they said, we'd like you tocome up and join with other media
and um, do an episode in Canada.
So we did that and it was fantastic.
And the show is unlike any other.
We've done a real tourism type show.
I think you'll love it.
(02:19):
Check it out.
Um.
I wanna give congratulationsto our team, of course, myself
as the host and producer.
I loved making this episode.
It's one of the most funepisodes I've been on.
Uh, but really a lot of credit goes toour video director and music director
and creative director, Jamie Quadra.
Uh, and, uh, also Herardo.
Colin Tuo was helping U.S. on it some.
(02:40):
And our executive producer forour program is Julie Gates.
Thanks to all them for their role in this.
We've got a lot ofgreat upcoming episodes.
Uh, coming up with Transit Unpluggedtv, like I said, including the
one right here in Maryland and myhome county of Queen Annes County.
Two episodes.
The Maryland episode that supportsthis podcast will air in September.
The Queen Annes Countyepisode will air in October.
(03:01):
Now let's jump into this fun interview wedid from the roof of a parking garage in
downtown Annapolis with Marcus Moore, theDirector of Transportation for the City.
Enjoy.
This is Paul Comfort and we are indowntown Annapolis and commissioning
week for the Naval Academy.
I'm standing on top of the Hillman Garage.
And I'm with Marcus Moore.
Who
yeah.
We're looking right behind your,your shoulder as the state capitol.
(03:22):
Yes sir. The great dome.
This is the oldest.
What is it?
The oldest,
Marcus Moore (03:25):
oldest, uh, working legislative building in the United States.
That's amazing.
And what's your officialtitle here at Annapolis?
I am the director of Transportation andparking for the City of Annapolis Public.
So you work for the city government?
I do work for the city government.
So tell U.S. about
Paul Comfort (03:38):
your transit system.
Marcus Moore (03:39):
Our transit system is like a pulse system.
We have a fixed route.
Uh, we have a DA complimentaryparatransit, and we're piloting a
new on demand transit service thatwe go when you, where you want
to go, uh, when you want to go.
Within three quarters of amile of our fixed root stocks.
This is a pilot program thatwe started last July and it's
really working out pretty well.
Paul, we're really excitedto try something new.
(04:01):
. So, um, how long have youbeen here in this job?
I've been here with the city ofAnnapolis, department of Transportation
since, uh, December of 2015.
And my current position as Director ofTransportation since October of 2022.
Paul Comfort (04:12):
We were just talking about kind of our shared background
and, , tell U.S. about some ofyour past because it is, you have
a great history for transportation.
In both rail and bus.
Marcus Moore (04:21):
Yeah.
Paul, thanks for asking.
Going back to 1983, I started withuh, NRPC, which is National Railroad
Passenger Corporation, betterknown to most people as Amtrak.
Amtrak.
That's right, baby.
Yes.
I started as a trainer, attend outta NewYork City, uh, doing most of the East
Coast runs and transferred to WashingtonDC Uh, did that for about four or five
years before I went into ticketing.
Uh, I was a ticket agent for about twoor three years in station operations,
(04:44):
and then I ran the auto train for about.
Four years from 92 to 97.
That's pretty cool, dude.
Yeah, it was really a lot of fun.
But the most fun, uh, job thatI think I had was bringing high
speed rail to North America.
That was on the Ella projectout of , Philadelphia office.
So high-speed rail that came, , tofruition back in 20 2001 as a part of
bringing that in, , bringing a lot of our,our employees, uh, conductors, engineers.
(05:08):
Onboard service attendants to seehow they, , do it in another country.
So we got a chance to travel andbenchmark some high speed rail in Europe.
And how fast is that Acela train
Paul Comfort (05:16):
go?
I've ridden it, it's pretty
Marcus Moore (05:17):
fast.
What it did, it, uh, with tilt technologywas able to take, , certain curves at
a higher speed, but the highest, uh,recorded speed is 150 miles an hour.
Wow.
And that's up in New England.
There's only about 30 milesof track that it gets to that.
But the old Metroliners in thenortheast quarter got as high as 1 25.
And these can take thecurves also at 1 35.
So it is pretty fast gettingfrom Washington, DC and
(05:39):
clearly DC to Boston where theyelectrified that segment of track.
They used to take five hours, broughtit down to like two and a half.
Paul Comfort (05:46):
Really?
Yeah.
Yeah.
I've done it.
I, I ride from, um, Wilmington,Wilmington, Delaware.
Yeah.
To Joe Biden station rightthere where he's from.
Delaware guy, you know, and,uh, ride it up to New York City.
Yes.
Yeah.
Or I will go to One Pen Plaza to gosee New Jersey Transit, and I think
later this year I'm gonna ride it.
Marcus Moore (06:02):
It's really a great way to go, you know, sit back and watch sea.
Uh, what do they say is, uh,see America at sea level.
Oh yeah.
So you're even to go, you can justtravel and, and have a nice beverage
and look at the scenery you're going by.
So, but that's a great rep.
Paul Comfort (06:14):
Let's swing back in your story a little bit then.
So you were at Amtrak for how many years?
Uh,
Marcus Moore (06:18):
eh, 20.
20 years.
Mm-hmm.
Paul Comfort (06:20):
Got a full career in.
Full career In.
And then what'd you do after that?
Marcus Moore (06:22):
After that I went to, uh, freight Railroad.
I worked.
For Norfolk Southern got qualifiedas a freight train conductor from
CP three, which is just south of thePhiladelphia station to the Susquehanna.
So I brought a lot of uh, cars to likeChrysler Yard, and I was a part of Norfolk
Southern's Harrisburg crew base in theNew Castle subdivision in Delaware.
Okay.
For about a year.
That's so and then what?
(06:43):
And then I came into busing, andthen busing comes in around 2006.
Okay.
And I worked at BWI as theassistant general manager for MAA.
We were the contract bus operator.
For the, uh, state ownedgarages, long-term, a long-term
B deal garage, and all.
Oh yeah.
You're
Paul Comfort (06:58):
the one I gotta complain
Marcus Moore (06:59):
to.
Paul Comfort (06:59):
Kidding.
Marcus Moore (07:01):
And then the, um, the old Howard County Transit
as known today as the RTA.
And when were you there?
I was there from like2000, uh, 11 to 2013.
Okay.
We were on, uh, McCallCourt in, um, Elkridge.
Paul Comfort (07:14):
And did you work for, who did you actually work directly for then?
Marcus Moore (07:17):
Uh, then was, uh, David Van Fosen was the vice
president of, I remember him, um,first Transit, but , through CMRT.
There was a guy by thename of John Powell.
Yes.
He was the, uh.
Uh, CEOI believe of CMRT.
Paul Comfort (07:30):
Yeah.
So he was our client.
Again, our path could have almostcrossed because I was managing
that Operation Howard Area Transit.
Remember, it was hats for a while.
Hats, yes.
And then Howard Transit, we got thatgreen, the green buses we created
that Howard Green color, it wasthe only transportation system in
America run by a Chamber of Commerce.
Mm-hmm.
Who had the CMRT logo?
I had a guy named RonScots that was there.
(07:52):
Yes, yes.
I, I still see him.
And Ray somebody was our, was our directorthere, but I worked for the contractor.
Marcus Moore (07:56):
Yes.
Paul Comfort (07:57):
But it was yellow.
Yes.
And, and then yellowbecame, you know, uh, Conex.
Yes.
Which became Veolia.
Yep.
Which became Transdab.
And so you were there
Marcus Moore (08:05):
for first I was there for First Transit.
Okay.
And also working with John Powell wasa guy by the name of, uh, Maynard Nash.
Oh, I know.
Maynard Maynard was working with RonSCOs and all, we were all there together.
This's such a funny small world man.
This is
Paul Comfort (08:16):
so, how many years did you do that?
Marcus Moore (08:17):
Uh, there with first transit in about five and a half years.
Okay.
Before I went to National Expressand they said, go west, young man.
And I went to Vallejo, California.
And
Paul Comfort (08:25):
that's where you met my buddy John Duncan, right?
Yes.
I met John Duncan there.
That's right.
Yeah.
Yes.
Marcus Moore (08:29):
Yep.
So ran, um, uh, Vallejo or,you know, in, uh, Vallejo.
California.
California.
California.
Yeah.
So on of transportation inMagnesia, Vallejo, California.
And, um, we ran that operationfor, for about six months.
Okay.
Before I decided to go to South Florida.
Ah.
And then was another contract and we were.
The sub, uh, contractor for the HollywoodFort Lauderdale airport for their
(08:52):
transportation to the parking garages.
Oh yeah.
We were
Paul Comfort (08:55):
just there.
We just filmed there.
Wow.
That's a great, great location, huh?
Cory Lonergan, who is CEOof Broward County Transit.
Okay.
She just did the podcast.
Yeah.
And then what?
Marcus Moore (09:03):
Uh, then came to good old city of Annapolis in, uh,
December of 2015 and been here since.
So 10 years, baby.
10 years just about here.
Yes sir. Yeah.
Paul Comfort (09:10):
That's amazing.
And what's it like running asystem in the state capitol?
Marcus Moore (09:13):
It is so amazing to see so many different folks that come here.
We have a melting pot of, of visitors,of residents, of business owners.
It's really just a great place tobe and in our own, uh, backyard with
the employees that, um, I work with.
The same kind of melting pot is reallyjust great with the, you know, if you
want great seafood, you come out here.
That's right.
Take, you know Right onthe, uh, Chesapeake Bay.
(09:34):
We just had some, so we did really justhave some, one of the local restaurants.
Yeah.
So the Saturn River goinginto Chesapeake Bay that goes
into, uh, Atlantic Ocean, who
Paul Comfort (09:42):
could
Marcus Moore (09:42):
ask for anything
Paul Comfort (09:43):
more?
Yeah.
If you, and this is really thesailing capital of the world, right?
This is the sailing capital.
Yeah.
So many sail boats here.
Yep.
Marcus Moore (09:48):
Just at our boat show, uh, back
in April, and then the Fall boat showwith the Power Boat sailboats in October.
Uh, please come out.
We're reimagining a city dock.
It's gonna be a, a worldclass, uh, event area.
Really?
I didn't know that.
Yeah, that's being redeveloped right now.
Oh, that's awesome, man.
Yep.
Paul Comfort (10:02):
In about two and a half years.
We should be done.
For those people who don't know,the Annapolis downtown area is like.
Nowhere else in the country.
Mm-hmm.
Uh, and uh, the inner Harborarea is just fantastic.
And it's right next to theUnited States Naval Academy.
It sure is.
Which is why we're up here onthe garage roof today, right?
Marcus Moore (10:17):
Yes,
Paul Comfort (10:17):
there was.
So when we come back in just aminute, we'll talk more about the
Naval Academy and the role of transitin moving, uh, a state capital.
Hey friends, it's Paul Comforthost of Transit Unplugged, and I've
got some exciting news to share.
Did you know that Transit Unpluggedis now a hybrid podcast experience?
That's right.
We're not just in your ears anymore.
(10:38):
We're on your screens too.
Each week on YouTube now you'llfind a brand new version of our show
featuring a video intro from me,plus behind the scenes photos and
visuals of our guests when we recordinterviews on location in person.
From transit centers towaterfronts and boardrooms,
we're taking you there visually.
Adding a whole new layer to thestorytelling and the response
(10:59):
so far has been amazing.
Thousands of people are already watchingand listening on YouTube and most
get this are watching on their TVs.
So if you haven't yet, take amoment to check U.S. out on YouTube.
Just search TransitUnplug podcast on YouTube.
Then hit subscribe and experience theshow each week in a whole new way.
(11:20):
We're making transit media more dynamic,more accessible, and more fun than ever.
And I'd love to haveyou along for the ride.
Now let's get back to the conversation.
We're back with Marcus Moore whois the head of transportation
for the city of Annapolis.
Marcus, tell U.S. about theNaval Academy and uh, and their
interaction with the city, et cetera.
Marcus Moore (11:41):
Yeah, thanks for asking.
The Naval Academy has been here founded,uh, back in like 1845 and it's really a
gemstone here and it really gives a lotof prestige to the city of Annapolis.
Yes, they're a great partnerto be here with them.
With, with U.S. and the Naval Academy,as most people know, they train, uh,
officers for the, uh, the Marine Corpsand the United States Navy, of course,
right to, to be officers and go out inthe world and serve, serve our country.
(12:03):
Uh, it's really a great partner with them.
Um, as you take a look downtown,you'll sometimes see them walking
about with their families.
Yeah.
The mid shipmen, their white uniform.
I saw a bunch of today.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Well, this is commissioning.
We, uh, uh, Paul, um, and we we're lookingforward to seeing all of them tell U.S.
what that means.
Commissioning week is when these, uh,graduates become commissioned officers
and they get their deployment somewherearound the country, around the world,
(12:25):
uh, to serve, uh, the country as theyjust got their, um, their degree here.
Yeah, so yesterday we had thepractice of the Blue Angels.
Today is the show, , And Friday isactually the commissioning ceremony.
At the United States Naval Academyparking lot, , and this is a
really big time for the city.
It brings a lot of visitors andguests, uh, media and light to
just see this kind of event.
(12:46):
Yeah.
It's really exciting to be around this.
It is.
Paul Comfort (12:48):
Yeah.
For those of you who are listening,we are, uh, we're also filming an
episode of our television show,transit Unplugged tv, and I'm here
with our video director, Jaime Quadra.
Hello Paul and a bunch of other folks.
Congratulations for thelatest award, teleworks.
That's right.
And, uh, got some other friends with U.S.
too, who are helping U.S. film.
And um, , you'll be able to seewhat Marcus has been talking
(13:09):
about because we're filming here.
We'll show you the city, we'llshow you Actually, we're gonna
show one of your free buses.
Tell U.S. about that.
Marcus Moore (13:14):
Oh yes.
The Magenta Shuttle PAis our free services.
Uh, it's a circulator bus, uh, it'scalled the Magenta Downtown Shuttle.
It starts just outside ofthe city at Park Place.
Garage runs about every 20minutes, every single day.
Some abbreviated schedules on weekends,like Sunday, eight to eight, uh,
Saturdays, eight until midnight, , Mondaythrough Friday, , six o'clock in the
(13:34):
morning until 11 o'clock at night.
So it's a great shuttle service.
It's a great shuttle.
It, the whole loop isabout a mile and a half.
And it takes about 20 minutesto go from start to finish.
So jump on and off.
There's a bunch of stops along the way.
Look for the magentashuttle, , and stop and yeah.
Flag it down and jump right on.
Oh,
Paul Comfort (13:51):
that's awesome.
So we are like standing, it's not reallysunny today, but in the shadow, let's say
metaphorically of the state capitol dome.
Oh gosh, yes.
Uh, which is just phenomenal looking.
If you, if you've never seen theAnnapolis Dome of our state capitol,
it is just a tremendous place when.
When I was CEO of the MTA,I spent a lot of time there
testifying before the legislature.
Uh, but what's it like having them comeinto town where you've got the delegates
(14:13):
and the state senators and the governorand his staff all, I mean, right here,
right in your system sometimes, I'm sure.
Marcus Moore (14:19):
Absolutely, Paul.
So for those a hundred days, startingin the early part of January, all to
the middle of April, um, the legislativesession, all kinds of bills, all kinds
of, um, legislators from around thestate are going to descend on the.
State capital to introduce your billsand hopefully get 'em through committee.
And as you've been, , saying Paul asan advocate for public transportation,
um, those are some really big billsthat we want to get through to.
(14:41):
Um, we wanna really make sure we have aavenue to get those that have an option
out of their cars and ride the bus.
Yeah.
How do they do that whenit's safe, reliable, and
convenient for them to do so?
Right now you get a lot more ofjust, uh, folks that you know
that they're dependent on it.
So being able to be able to increasethe, um, the footprint of what we
have and where we go is what we wantto do to get people outta the cars.
(15:04):
Absolutely.
Paul Comfort (15:05):
Let's talk some about your system a little bit more.
How many drivers?
The union, I think that's interesting.
They're, they're in a, uh, sotell U.S. a little bit about that.
Marcus Moore (15:12):
Yeah.
Our system here, um, we're probably, we'reconsidered a follow, a locally operated
transit system, better known as a lot.
There's about 23 lots in the state ofMaryland from western Maryland Cumberland,
all the way down to Ocean City.
So we're one of those and we haveabout 30 full-time drivers and
about a dozen part-time driversand they are part of the union.
And being a full-time, , employeeof the city of Annapolis, you're
(15:33):
part of the state pension system.
Paul Comfort (15:35):
Yeah, I love that.
Um, and
Marcus Moore (15:36):
then being vested 10 years to become vested to be a part of that.
And what's the name of their union?
Afme, A FS.
Me ASME is a, uh, union that representsour bus drivers and our mechanical
Paul Comfort (15:46):
state, county municipal employees.
Those kind of things.
Right, exactly.
Yeah.
Yeah, that's interesting.
And um, so you got the driversand then who else do you have?
Mechanics and
Marcus Moore (15:54):
dispatchers?
Right.
We have the supervisor dispatchersthat give the direction to the, uh,
operators when they're on the road.
And we have a fleet of mechanicsthat actually take care of our buses.
Uh, we can do about 90, 95% of all of our,um, repairs in-house, certain things we
have to send out to be, uh, a heavy lift.
But we do have an operation thathas, uh, dispatchers, supervisors,
drivers, and mechanics about a staffof about 52 to 55 employees total.
(16:18):
All right, Marcus.
Paul Comfort (16:19):
So, um, tell U.S. about the service area that you serve.
Marcus Moore (16:22):
Yeah.
Even though the city of Annapolis isabout five and a half square miles,
we have about 40,000 residents.
We're a little bit more farreaching into the county and uh,
we're connecting with other, uh,services to get you to other places.
So, you know, going out to likethe, um, community college,
which is in, uh, Arnold.
Oh, yeah.
On brought too, yeah.
I, yeah.
Down that direction Or to the mall,which is actually Save Annapolis,
(16:43):
but is actually in the county.
Okay, so we have five and a half squaremiles and about 40,000 residents.
But looking at not just the residents,but the businesses that are here,
and the Naval Academy is one of thebig, uh, employers as well as Anne
Arundel, uh, county Medical Center.
Do Midshipman ride free?
Uh, that is a good question.
And you know what the answer is?
Uh, yes.
Is that right?
(17:03):
Uh, matriculating student?
Well, K through 12.
Yeah.
Rides free during the week.
Okay.
During school sessions.
6:00 AM to 6:00 PM but thereis a, uh, student rate of $1.
Okay.
To approve.
So, yeah.
So the local college is like St.
John's?
Yes.
Which I believe is the secondoldest college in the United States.
That's right.
Yeah.
They're big liberal arts school.
Very
Paul Comfort (17:21):
well respected.
Yes.
Yeah, there's so many coolthings around there, isn't there?
Just the cobblestones, justthe, the brick streets?
Yes.
, The downtown area, the mainstreet here is phenomenal.
Um, and you're, you're under thecity of Annapolis and you kinda
report up through the mayor?
Yes.
Marcus Moore (17:35):
Uh, through the city manager
Paul Comfort (17:36):
and the mayor.
Yes.
That's good.
And you all connect in with yourregional transportation partners,
like the RTA with Jason Kwan.
I mean, we just interviewedhim the other day.
Marcus Moore (17:44):
Uh, yeah, we wanna make sure we have, um, you know, those invisible
barriers that we can connect and getto, like Crofton or to, um, other.
, Employment hubs.
Yeah.
Arundel Mills Mall run.
Arundel Mills Mall.
Yeah.
Annapolis Mall probably.
Paul Comfort (17:54):
Yeah.
Marcus Moore (17:54):
So connecting with Howard County, um, Anne Arundel
County and of course Baltimore City.
They have the number 70 bus here,Paul, that one of their longest
routes from per capco to Annapolisso we can get, you know, other places
for employment and getting to theairport and all that stuff there.
Paul Comfort (18:09):
Yeah, Annapolis is like right in the middle of Baltimore,
Washington corridor, isn't it?
It it really is.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So the MTA brings people downhere from Baltimore, right?
On routes.
They, they do, yep.
That
Marcus Moore (18:17):
one bus that does come every single day about, uh,
once every hour and a half or so, 20
Paul Comfort (18:22):
minutes.
I
And you mentioned , you'repiloting a, um, on demand.
You wanna tell U.S. about that and whatdo you think is gonna happen with that?
Marcus Moore (18:27):
Yeah, the on demand service is, um, a subscription service.
You can call our office to actually,uh, make a reservation or you can
download the app and I'll sendyou information, Paul, on that.
But you can download the app andactually call that, uh, bus for
yourself and they'll tell you when abus will actually be available to come.
Um.
Pick you up.
So what you actually do is go on.
Oh, she's doing it right now for me.
Yep.
You can book your up.
(18:47):
You show the app here.
Okay.
And it says where we are right now.
It says where I am at 1 45.
Um, main.
Okay.
Main.
Yeah.
Just
Paul Comfort (18:53):
like an Uber.
It'll tell you where you're at.
Right.
It'll
Marcus Moore (18:55):
tell you where you're at.
You tell U.S. where you want togo and it'll tell you how close.
'cause it's not like Uber will comeright to you, but there's a geo fence.
It'll tell you where you need to go.
Yeah.
Which may tell U.S. uh,Gorman Street at Main Street.
Pick up the bus.
Oh.
It'll give you a corner spot to go to it.
It will.
Okay.
It'll tell you when your bus is coming.
You can actually track your bus.
And this is the same fair Paulas our regular fix route buses.
Wow.
So $2, or if you buy a dailypass, weekly pass, you can tap
(19:16):
that and go along that way.
Seniors are half price students.
, Disabled and handicappedare half price as well.
So $1, one way.
That's awesome.
Paul Comfort (19:24):
So as I mentioned to you earlier, I, I grew up here in
Annapolis when I was very young.
My dad, we lived over in, uh, mydad had a job here in Eastport, , as
a pastor of a church over there.
And so we lived in the parsonage mm-hmm.
Uh, in Eastport and um.
I used to come over thatbridge, but eSports, like
it's part of Annapolis, right?
Still it's, yes.
Yeah.
But it's very preppy.
I hear.
Yes.
The houses are very expensive and
Marcus Moore (19:44):
Yeah, right on the water, that's is the next thing you know.
So it does get kind of bottleneckwhen you come out to kinda watch
the Blue Angels or things like that.
Yeah.
Um, but you have busservice all back in there?
We, we do have bus service down there.
We have a lot of service that goesfrom the mall to Eastport is a
turnaround point to come back out.
Okay.
So three of our routes actuallydo serve, um, Eastport all the
way to the mall and coming up.
Um, main Street that you saw earlier,
Paul Comfort (20:05):
and you mentioned over lunch that you, um, you just
bought a couple electric buses.
We do.
Tell me about that.
Marcus Moore (20:10):
We're really excited to have those in our fleet.
We have two 30 foot, , BYD, , buses thatare fully electric, but they're made
Paul Comfort (20:17):
here in America.
What's the name of the company?
Uh, the
Marcus Moore (20:18):
company is our Ride.
And they're in Lancaster, Pennsylvaniaand this little built, um,
right here in the United States.
Yeah.
And
Paul Comfort (20:24):
who's the sales guy?
Our buddy
Marcus Moore (20:25):
that used to work with U.S. Uh, Carl Wheeler.
Carl, that's, do you remember Carl?
Yeah.
Man, he's my guy.
I like him.
Yeah.
So how's that working for you?
Paul Comfort (20:31):
It's
Marcus Moore (20:31):
working out very well.
Yeah.
Okay.
Uh, people love it, you know,clean, clean, green and quiet.
We have, is our logo onthere, especially like
Paul Comfort (20:36):
in a downtown area, like Yes.
Downtown
Marcus Moore (20:38):
Annapolis.
They probably love that.
They do love it.
Yeah.
Yeah.
We're trying to change our carbonfootprint and making, you know,
the place a little bit better forthe people that come behind U.S.
Yeah, we're doing
Paul Comfort (20:45):
our share.
Well, that's wonderful.
Marcus Moore (20:47):
Anything else you wanna talk about?
Paul Comfort (20:48):
I
Marcus Moore (20:48):
can't think of anything else though, Paul, thanks for coming
out and thanks for having U.S. You know?
Yeah.
Coming down to see U.S.
Julie Gates (20:57):
Thank you for listening to this week's episode
of the Transit Unplugged Podcast.
We're so glad you're here.
My name is Julie Gates.
I'm the executive producer of theshow, and our goal is to create
programs that promote the great thingsgoing on in the transit industry
by providing you with behind thescenes access with industry executive
leadership so we can work together tofind innovative industry solutions.
(21:18):
We would love to have you be a partof the Transit Unplugged community by
having you sign up for our newsletter.
Head to the show notes to find the link.
Thanks for listening to Transit Unpluggedwith Paul Comfort, our favorite transit
evangelist, and we'll catch you next week.
Thanks for tuning in.
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