METROspectives

When Doug Wright stepped in as President of Forest River Bus & Van in March 2025, his goal was clear — take a strong company and make it even stronger. In this conversation, METRO Executive Editor Alex Roman talks with Wright about Forest River’s journey so far, what’s driving its successtoday, and his vision for the future.

Topics include:

·        COVID’s Impact on the company and industry.

·        Transporting the most vulnera...

Julie Chalmers was recently named one of METRO’s 2025 Women in Transportation. Recently, Executive Editor Alex Roman had a chance to talk to Chalmers, GM at Hotard Coaches Inc. in New Orleans, about being a leader in a historically male-dominated industry, providing mentorship to other women, career milestones, and much more.  

Topics include:

• Getting her start in the motorcoach industry. 
• Hurdles faced as a woman in transportatio...

With COVID splitting the number of motorcoach operatorsessentially in half, the United Motorcoach Association (UMA) is working on ways to boost new entrants. Scott Michael, President and CEO of the UMA, joins METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman to discuss what the association is doing toincrease the number of operators, the state of the UMA in general, and much more.

Topics include:

·        The impact of COVID on the motorcoach ind...

Josh Stoddard is the Director of Vehicle Maintenance at Spokane Transit Authority (STA), a role he has held sinceat least April 2025. In this capacity, he oversees the maintenance operations for STA's fleet, ensuring the reliability and safety of the vehicles that serve the Spokane community. ​Topics include:

·        Spokane Transit’s growing fleet and bus facilityneeds.

·        The opportunities for technicians to growthrough ...

Recently, the American Bus Association (ABA) released its“Motorcoach 2025 Sustainability and Innovation Report,” affirming what industry leaders have long championed: “motorcoach travel is the most energy-efficient and environmentally responsible mode of passenger transportation in North America.” Michelle Petelicki, president of New Jersey’s Panorama Tours, joins METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman to discuss how the motorcoach in...

Charlie Busse is Director of Maintenance at  @connecttransit  (Connect Transit), the public transportation provider for Bloomington-Normal, Ill. Charlie is the driving force behind Connect Transit’s fleet operations. He ensures that every bus on the road is safe, reliable, and running at peak performance. But, his role goes far beyond just keeping wheels turning — Charlie is a key player in the agency’s forward-thinking initiatives...

Since 2022, Flix North America CEO Kai Boysan has led thestrategic direction of FlixBus and Greyhound, major players in long-distance bus travel across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman spoke to Boysan, about how the FlixBus model works, the company’s worldwide success, and much more.

Topics include:

·      The state of the intercity bus line industry.

·      The current state and future of Greyhound fo...

The LA ART aerial gondola project aims to ease congestionand cut pollution in the Los Angeles region by connecting Union Station to Dodger Stadium. When completed, the gondola will serve underserved communities, including El Pueblo, Chinatown, Mission Junction, and Solano Canyon, and offer ADA-accessible cabins with space for strollers and bikes. METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman to David Grannis, Executive Director of Zero Emiss...

Beginning as a small, minority-owned startup in SanFrancisco in 1975, MV Transportation is celebrating its 50thAnniversary in 2025. METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman had a chance to talk to MV’s Chief Customer Success Officer Gary Coles about the company’s milestone and much more.

Topics include:

·      The company’s humble beginnings and its growthinto a national company.

·      How MV is helping transit agencies adapt newservice ...

One of the top five largest contractors in the nation, WeDriveU recently rebranded from its previous name National Express. In our latest edition of METROspectives, WeDriveU’s President/CEO Erick Van Wagenen joinsMETRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman to discuss the reasons for the rebrand, the company’s recently launched engagement initiative and much more.

Topics include:

·        What’s next after the rebrand.

·        Mobility trends...

On Your Mark Transportation’s President/CEO Mark Szyperski consults for the public transit, motorcoach, and luxury transportation, so he has definitely seen a bus operation or two. In our latest edition of METROspectives, Mark joins METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman to discuss the need for bus operations to be prepared for emergencies, including fires, tornados, and earthquakes.

Topics include:

·      The percentage of bus operati...

Still in the first year on the job, Fred Ferguson, President/CEO of the American Bus Association, just recently helmed his firstMarketplace, which was coincidentally held the day the new Administration announced its plans to implement tariffs on countries including Canada and Mexico. In our latest edition of METROspectives, Ferguson joins METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman to discuss the impact those tariffs would have on the indu...

In business since 1933, Springfield, Mass.’ Peter Pan BusLines was recently named METRO’s Motorcoach Operator of the Year at this year’s UMA Expo. In our latest edition of METROspectives, Peter Pan’s Chairman and CEO Peter Picknelly joins METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman to discuss what keeps his operation on top.

Topics include:

·      How the operation stays ahead of the curve.

·      The recent takeover of Megabus routes.

·      ...

San Antonio, Texas’ OK TOURS was the winner of METRO’sInnovative Motorcoach Operator of the Year Award, which was presented at this year’s American Bus Association Marketplace. In our latest edition of METROspectives, OK TOURS COO Marcos Sarmiento joins METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman to discuss what helped his company earn the award and much more.

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In six years, Nashville’s WeGo Transit was able to lick their wounds after a soundly beaten ballot measure to pass a substantial referendum last November. In our latest edition of METROspectives, WeGo Transit CEO Stephen Bland joins METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman to discuss what changed over six years and much more.

Topics include:

·       Earning the community’s trust.

·       Advice for agencies trying to pass ballot measure...

Virginia, Minn.’s Arrowhead Transit is the second largest rural public transit system in the U.S. In our latest edition of METROspectives, Arrowhead Tranit’s Dominick Olivanti and Colette Hanson join METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman to discuss public transit from a rural provider perspective.

Topics include:

·       Arrowhead Transit’s driver shortage.

·       Bringing Innovation to a rural transportation system.

·       Prepari...

In our latest edition of METROspectives, Rashidi Barnes, CEO of California’s Tri-Delta Transit and Maggie Pears, managing consultant at the Center for Transportation the Environment, join METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman to discuss their roles in the California Transit Training Consortium (CTC) and more.

Topics include:

·       The Consortium’s recent rebrand.

·       The need for new and ongoing vehicle technician training.

·  ...

In a special audio-exclusive edition of METROspectives, Transdev US CEO Laura Hendricks and COO’s Susan Sweat and Lauren Skiver join METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman.

Topics include:

·       How their unique backgrounds play a role in building a culture at Transdev.

·       The impact public transportation has in providing communities with access to services and opportunities.

·       Building diversity, equity, and inclusion pr...

MJ Maynard, CEO of the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas, joins METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman.

Topics include:

·    The RTC’s tech adoption approach.

·       How AI can make an impact on the public transit industry.

·       Working with the power of data.

·       How to forge partnerships with vendors.

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