Episode 27

From 0 to 200: Jeremi Bumpus on Building 207 New Bus Stops with Tech and Tenacity

What happens when a millennial with a higher ed background takes the wheel of a legacy transit agency? You get 207 new bus stops, a real-time tracking app, and a fresh vision for Western Kentucky mobility.

 

In this episode of Transit Unplugged Podcast, Paul Comfort talks with Jeremi Bumpus, Executive Director of Paducah Transit Authority, about leading change in a small but mighty system. Jeremi shares how he transitioned from higher education into transit, what it means for Paducah to move from rural to small urban funding, and how he and his team replaced an outdated “wave your hand” bus system with a structured, tech-enabled network. Topics include:

  • Modernizing a hail-based system with 207 fixed bus stops
  • Launching a real-time rider app and 24/7 info kiosk
  • Balancing new technology with legacy organization culture
  • Navigating the shift from state funding to FTA direct funding

If you’re into small agency innovation, smart leadership, or just want to know what goes into transforming transit at the ground level—this one’s a must-listen.

 

Credits:

 

Host & Producer: Paul Comfort 

🎧 Podcast Manager & Newsletter Guy: Chris O'Keeffe 

💼 Executive Producer: Julie Gates 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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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.

 

Transcript
Speaker:

Hey, do you know where your favorite futuristic ice cream dipping Dots

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is headquartered here in the U.S.

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That's right, Paducah, Kentucky, and today on Transit Unplugged.

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We're heading there to talk with one of Transit's Rising Stars.

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I'm your host, Paul Comfort, and I'm joined today by Jeremy Bumpus,

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executive director of the Paducah Area Transit System, or Pats, as

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it is known, in just three years in the transit industry and only two.

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As executive director, Jeremy is already leading a transformation

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from a ride hail only rural system.

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To moving toward launching more than 200 fixed route bus stops.

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Pats is redefining what mobility looks like for a growing small urban region.

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We'll explore how Jeremy and his team are preparing for big events like the

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American Quilter Society Quilt Week, and what it means to scale up service

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in a close knit community, and how innovation and energy are driving

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the future of transit in Paducah.

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Hey, if you like what you hear today, don't forget to follow U.S. on your

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favorite platform and leave U.S. a review.

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It helps more people discover the voices of tomorrow's transit

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leaders like Jeremy Bumps.

Paul Comfort:

Great to have Jeremy Bumpus with me today.

Paul Comfort:

He's the executive director of Paducah Transit Authority, and

Paul Comfort:

I guess you're calling in from your office in Paducah, Kentucky.

Paul Comfort:

Huh?

Jeremi Bumpus:

I am, I am straight from the office.

Paul Comfort:

That's great, man.

Paul Comfort:

Well, good to see you again.

Paul Comfort:

Uh, Jeremy and I were just together at the TripSpark Ignite

Paul Comfort:

Conference, , a week or two ago.

Paul Comfort:

And, um, we connected up and he's got such a great operation, a great story.

Paul Comfort:

I wanted to get him on the podcast.

Paul Comfort:

Um, so, uh, tell U.S. some about your service.

Paul Comfort:

Some Jeremy, where you guys are at, like geographically for people can position.

Paul Comfort:

Where Paducah is.

Paul Comfort:

Everybody's heard of Paducah, Kentucky, but I don't know if

Paul Comfort:

people know exactly where it's at.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Yeah.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So Paducah, Kentucky, we're located in Kentucky, but we're in

Jeremi Bumpus:

the far western part of Kentucky.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So we are right on the border of Illinois.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Um, it's about five minutes north of U.S. and about 30 minutes

Jeremi Bumpus:

West is the border of Missouri.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So we're tucked off in the far western part of Kentucky.

Paul Comfort:

And about how big is Paducah population wise?

Jeremi Bumpus:

I always like to say, if you look it up on Google, it'll

Jeremi Bumpus:

say Paducah's about 27,000 people.

Jeremi Bumpus:

However, that's just within the city limits.

Jeremi Bumpus:

The actual city of Paducah.

Jeremi Bumpus:

, we're in . McCracken County, Kentucky.

Jeremi Bumpus:

The only city in McCracken County, Kentucky is Paducah.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Okay.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And that consists of about 67,000 people.

Jeremi Bumpus:

But you have county versus city, but it's all Paducah.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So we're, we're a community of about 67,000 people.

Paul Comfort:

That's great, man.

Paul Comfort:

So tell me some about your service.

Paul Comfort:

, Jeremi Bumpus: Paducah Transit Authority, you know, we operate at, we do business

Paul Comfort:

as Paducah area, transit system.

Paul Comfort:

Um, 'cause we serve four counties in Western Kentucky.

Paul Comfort:

Um, we have two modes of transit, transportation, we do

Paul Comfort:

fixed route and paratransit.

Paul Comfort:

Of course, you know, those in the transit world, we call it demand and response.

Paul Comfort:

But for those outside the transit world, I always like to

Paul Comfort:

say scheduled transportation.

Paul Comfort:

That seems to.

Paul Comfort:

Be a little bit, seems to be a little bit better to understand.

Paul Comfort:

Uh, yeah.

Paul Comfort:

So those are our two modes.

Paul Comfort:

Uh, and again, we are the largest public transportation

Paul Comfort:

provider in western Kentucky.

Paul Comfort:

Very

Paul Comfort:

good.

Paul Comfort:

So again, we cover four counties along with two other smaller

Paul Comfort:

public transit agencies.

Paul Comfort:

Gotcha.

Paul Comfort:

And let's talk about your journey.

Paul Comfort:

Uh, how'd you find your way into public transportation and what has it been

Paul Comfort:

like leading Pats and now in your second year as executive director?

Jeremi Bumpus:

Wow.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Good question.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Um, I. What I found in transit is, is most people, um, who are in transit

Jeremi Bumpus:

never intended on being in transit.

Jeremi Bumpus:

It kind of just happened.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Yeah, that's true, isn't it?

Jeremi Bumpus:

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And for me, that's, that's what happened.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Um, I spent probably 10 years in higher education, , and my wife

Jeremi Bumpus:

and I, we, you know, we spent some time in North Carolina.

Jeremi Bumpus:

We lived in Tennessee.

Jeremi Bumpus:

, we relocated to Kentucky in Paducah is her hometown.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And, um, at the time I was working for a higher education

Jeremi Bumpus:

institution here in Paducah.

Jeremi Bumpus:

, and then Covid hit.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Oh yeah.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And I just, you know, I had a lot of times on my hands, like most people, um,

Jeremi Bumpus:

a lot of time to sit, think, and reflect.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And, um, I, I was just at a point in life where I wanted to do something different.

Jeremi Bumpus:

, and so I had known, uh, the previous director, I'd met

Jeremi Bumpus:

him while I was in college.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Uh, we reconnected when I moved, uh, to Paducah.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And, you know, we hadn't spoken for years.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Uh, but when I moved to Paducah, we reconnected and

Jeremi Bumpus:

sure enough he was retiring.

Jeremi Bumpus:

, and so essentially he had, was, was looking for someone

Jeremi Bumpus:

to, um, take over for him.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And so he asked me if I would be interested.

Jeremi Bumpus:

, and again, I tell people this, uh, I wasn't guaranteed anything.

Jeremi Bumpus:

He said, Hey, I'm gonna be retiring.

Jeremi Bumpus:

We're looking for an assistant director and hopefully this person will take

Jeremi Bumpus:

over once I retire in two years.

Jeremi Bumpus:

, he said, you can apply and you know, we'll go from there.

Jeremi Bumpus:

, I applied, I interviewed with the board of directors.

Jeremi Bumpus:

. So I was hired as assistant director and that's how I began my, job.

Jeremi Bumpus:

In, my first job in transit was as assistant director.

Paul Comfort:

Okay.

Paul Comfort:

And what did you do in that role?

Paul Comfort:

What was your function?

Paul Comfort:

, Jeremi Bumpus: we're a small transit agency, so what I found was the executive

Paul Comfort:

director wore very, wore many hats.

Paul Comfort:

he didn't just push papers.

Paul Comfort:

Yeah.

Paul Comfort:

So I spent a year and a half as assistant director learning, , not only under

Paul Comfort:

the current executive director, but I spent time with the operations manager.

Paul Comfort:

I spent time with the accounting department, HR director, office

Paul Comfort:

manager, um, our mechanics.

Paul Comfort:

Pretty much learning all the ins and outs of transit and our services.

Paul Comfort:

so I did everything that you can think of, that goes on in a transit agency.

Paul Comfort:

Yeah.

Paul Comfort:

So I spent a year and a half that.

Paul Comfort:

So coming from outside of the traditional transit world,

Paul Comfort:

kinda what fresh perspectives do you think you brought into Pats and how

Paul Comfort:

has that impacted the way your team approaches service and innovation?

Jeremi Bumpus:

So I'm 37 years old.

Jeremi Bumpus:

I came in, I was 35.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Um, and it's funny, the younger kids think I'm old, but everyone here

Jeremi Bumpus:

thinks I'm super, I'm very young.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Yeah.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Um.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Our average age here at the agency is 54, so I came as the young guy.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Yep.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And a millennial.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So essentially when I walk into, when I walk into the building, my generation

Jeremi Bumpus:

we're really big on technology and using technology to make life easier.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Um, I do that in my personal life.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So that was one of the things that I noticed here, , at our agency.

Jeremi Bumpus:

. We needed updated technology and we needed to update some of our

Jeremi Bumpus:

practices and things that we did just to make things more efficient.

Jeremi Bumpus:

, what I found is that, , people and agencies and, and businesses,

Jeremi Bumpus:

sometimes they just, they're, they're.

Jeremi Bumpus:

It's used to the norm.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Things have been away for so many years, so many decades.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And hey, if it's not, if, if it's not broke, don't fix it.

Jeremi Bumpus:

, I don't necessarily look at things that way.

Jeremi Bumpus:

I'm always looking at, Hey, how can we improve this and how can we use the

Jeremi Bumpus:

technology that's available to U.S.

Jeremi Bumpus:

to improve our services and things of that nature.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So, um, that's the perspective that I brought in.

Jeremi Bumpus:

I think it was essentially my age, , and my experiences with technology and just

Jeremi Bumpus:

kind of the way that I live my life.

Jeremi Bumpus:

. That helped me come in and kind of just see things and say, Hey, maybe

Jeremi Bumpus:

we could do this differently, or we can add this, or, change this

Jeremi Bumpus:

to make things a little efficient.

Jeremi Bumpus:

. Paul Comfort: You know, I had the same experience when I started Jeremy.

Jeremi Bumpus:

I was a little bit younger than you.

Jeremi Bumpus:

I was 22 when I started, and I was in a county about the size

Jeremi Bumpus:

of yours, and I was the county's first transportation director.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And, uh, I was just over there today meeting with him 'cause we're

Jeremi Bumpus:

gonna be filming an episode of our TV show coming up soon there.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And, but I remember everybody that worked for me could have been

Jeremi Bumpus:

my parents or my grandparents.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And so it's a big deal when you come in like that, isn't it?

Jeremi Bumpus:

Yeah.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Yeah, yeah.

Jeremi Bumpus:

It is.

Jeremi Bumpus:

It is.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And, and it's funny, um, I, I, I thought there would be some

Jeremi Bumpus:

resistance to that when I came in.

Jeremi Bumpus:

because again, when you get sometimes, and I've, I've worked in other places

Jeremi Bumpus:

where you come in as the young guy and the people that you're working with are old

Jeremi Bumpus:

enough to be your parents or grandparents.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And, you know, I've had resistance in the past, but coming here,

Jeremi Bumpus:

I experienced none of that.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Everyone.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Oh, that's great, man.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Very welcoming with open arms.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Now some of the changes that were made, you know, everyone wasn't officially,

Jeremi Bumpus:

but you know, everyone working with was open in arms and I think some of them

Jeremi Bumpus:

really looked forward to some change and, hey, yeah, we're kind of looking

Jeremi Bumpus:

for a fresh start and, and new ideas.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And the new and the current executive director at the time have, was still

Jeremi Bumpus:

have a very, very good relationship with him, have a lot of respect for him.

Jeremi Bumpus:

He knew that and he would say it publicly.

Jeremi Bumpus:

He would say, Hey.

Jeremi Bumpus:

He would introduce me, he'd say, Hey, this is Jeremy.

Jeremi Bumpus:

This is the assistant director.

Jeremi Bumpus:

He's the new young guy coming in with the new ideas, and I'm just gonna

Jeremi Bumpus:

turn it over to him and let him run.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Oh, that's nice.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Uh, and I really appreciate him.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Yeah, yeah.

Jeremi Bumpus:

No, he would joke and say, no, you can't do this until I retire.

Jeremi Bumpus:

But, uh, you know, he, he knew that I was gonna come in and change some

Jeremi Bumpus:

things and, um, he was all for it.

Jeremi Bumpus:

He was very supportive.

Paul Comfort:

What's the structure

Paul Comfort:

there?

Paul Comfort:

So you're a transit authority.

Paul Comfort:

Do you report to like a board of directors that are appointed or

Paul Comfort:

work for the county government.

Paul Comfort:

City government.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Yeah.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So the structure we're, we're a quasi-government agency.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Okay.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Um, so essentially, um, the Kentucky Revised statutes allow municipalities

Jeremi Bumpus:

to create a transit authority.

Jeremi Bumpus:

so we're not owned or operated by the city or county government.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Okay.

Jeremi Bumpus:

County government.

Jeremi Bumpus:

It's our board that governs and directs U.S. but that's the

Jeremi Bumpus:

only tie we have to the city.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So we're our own independent agency.

Jeremi Bumpus:

That has a governing body, that's chosen by the city.

Jeremi Bumpus:

so a lot of people here in this community, um, who are unfamiliar

Jeremi Bumpus:

with pets, they always say, Hey, well I'm gonna call the city.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And I'm like, well, uh, I communicate with luck.

Jeremi Bumpus:

With luck, right.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And I'm like, we're our own standalone agency.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Um, we, we work very closely with the city, but um, our board is where it stops.

Paul Comfort:

Yeah.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So, um, that's.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Kind of our structure.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And then of course we report to FTA and, um, our Kentucky Transportation

Jeremi Bumpus:

cabinet, which is our state transportation agency that, um, provides U.S.

Jeremi Bumpus:

funding.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Gotcha.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Yeah.

Paul Comfort:

where do, where do you get your funding from?

Paul Comfort:

Is it a combination?

Paul Comfort:

Who provides the most and all that stuff?

Jeremi Bumpus:

Well, uh, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, which is

Jeremi Bumpus:

the Office of Transportation and Delivery, um, they provide all of our

Jeremi Bumpus:

funding, but we are going through a transition period, which is interesting.

Jeremi Bumpus:

okay.

Jeremi Bumpus:

We are transitioning from rural to small urban, so we'll be receiving

Jeremi Bumpus:

funding directly from FTA and from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, which

Jeremi Bumpus:

makes for some interesting, Yeah, so essentially two pots of two pots of

Jeremi Bumpus:

money, which is always, which is great.

Jeremi Bumpus:

But, um, you know, we're not done with the process to become

Jeremi Bumpus:

a direct recipient from FTA yet.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Okay.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Um, hopefully we'll be done, done with that this summer, but, uh, it's

Jeremi Bumpus:

been a kind of a learning curve.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Uh,

Paul Comfort:

so explain that process a little bit.

Paul Comfort:

It's an interesting time, uh, to, to switch from, uh, a rural to a small urban.

Paul Comfort:

Is it because the last census you had more people?

Paul Comfort:

Then explain how all that works if you, if you don't mind.

Paul Comfort:

Yep.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So the 2020 census data came out and our urbanized area growth.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Okay.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Um, it, so we surpassed 50,000 people, which I believe put U.S.

Jeremi Bumpus:

into the small urban category.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Yeah.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Um.

Jeremi Bumpus:

A portion of that is in Illinois.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Okay.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Which is right across the river from U.S. So, um, you know, that triggered

Jeremi Bumpus:

a bunch of different things and it started receiving communication from FTA.

Jeremi Bumpus:

and we started this process a year, probably a year and a half ago.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Um, getting everything set up and I didn't realize it.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Yeah.

Jeremi Bumpus:

I didn't realize it, it, it's, it's a lot, it's a lot of work.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Yeah.

Paul Comfort:

and, but will you end up with more money at the end?

Jeremi Bumpus:

That's still kind of undetermined.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Okay.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Because apparently we after, and you know I'm gonna speak in our transit language.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Yeah.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Um, fiscal.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Which the feds, you know, is Sept October one to September 30th.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Right.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Um, that's when the FTA dollars became available to U.S. We still have yet

Jeremi Bumpus:

to access those because we haven't gone through the entire process yet.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Okay.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So essentially we have two years coming up on three years of money

Jeremi Bumpus:

that we can access from FTA.

Jeremi Bumpus:

But we're still being fully funded by the state of Kentucky.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Once we're able to access that money, the state of Kentucky is going to

Jeremi Bumpus:

reduce the amount of funding, but that hasn't been determined yet.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Okay, I gotcha.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So we're still kind of in limbo.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Yeah.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Um, until hopefully,

Paul Comfort:

you know, this summer when we, we get an answer.

Paul Comfort:

And what part of what FTA region are you a part of?

Paul Comfort:

Four.

Paul Comfort:

Four, okay.

Paul Comfort:

Yeah.

Paul Comfort:

Region four.

Paul Comfort:

Um, and, and I, I understand that's very interesting.

Paul Comfort:

Thank you for sharing that.

Paul Comfort:

I think, uh, I don't think we've ever had a conversation about that before

Paul Comfort:

on the show, so that's, it's good.

Paul Comfort:

A little bit of education for people, how that works.

Paul Comfort:

Your, yeah.

Paul Comfort:

When your census, uh, of your urban, what do they call that?

Paul Comfort:

Your consolidated metropolitan area?

Paul Comfort:

Statistical or something?

Paul Comfort:

Statistical area, when it grows above a certain amount, 50,000 and then

Paul Comfort:

200,000 I think is the next one.

Paul Comfort:

Right.

Paul Comfort:

You, uh, end up in a different category and the funding, you get the

Paul Comfort:

formula funding, which comes through the federal government changes.

Paul Comfort:

Mm-hmm.

Paul Comfort:

It's a, it's actually a good primer for people as we think about reauthorization.

Paul Comfort:

So the federal government has their, uh, every five or six years they

Paul Comfort:

put out a reauthorization act.

Paul Comfort:

Uh, the last one was, you know, colloquially called the

Paul Comfort:

Bipartisan Infrastructure Act.

Paul Comfort:

And inside of that was our reauthorization and funding went up dramatically for most

Paul Comfort:

of the categories, 40% in some categories.

Paul Comfort:

We were just in Washington recently talking with the House Transportation

Paul Comfort:

Infrastructure Committee and they were talking about that.

Paul Comfort:

Now they've started the reauthorization process again for the next version,

Paul Comfort:

which will kick in at the end of 2026.

Paul Comfort:

So the House Transportation Infrastructure Committee, their

Paul Comfort:

highways and transportation subcommittee is working on that.

Paul Comfort:

So it's all part of, um, the formula funds that come out of Washington.

Paul Comfort:

And it's very important, isn't it, for systems like yours, right.

Paul Comfort:

For smaller systems, they rely on a lot of those funds.

Paul Comfort:

I.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Yeah, absolutely.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Absolutely.

Jeremi Bumpus:

I mean, without those funds, obviously we wouldn't be able to operate.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And then of course, you know, just with limited resources, we don't, we

Jeremi Bumpus:

don't receive, uh, any other funding.

Jeremi Bumpus:

We receive a little bit of funding from our, uh, city of Paducah.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Okay.

Jeremi Bumpus:

and as, and we're, we're super grateful for that, those funds.

Jeremi Bumpus:

But you know, it's just enough.

Jeremi Bumpus:

It's not even enough.

Jeremi Bumpus:

It's not enough to cover the fuel.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Right.

Jeremi Bumpus:

I gotcha.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Right.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And outside of that, we don't, we don't have enough to, you

Jeremi Bumpus:

know, run our operations or sustain what we have going on.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So, we're heavily reliant on that funding.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And I'm, I'm hoping you know, the way things look, we'll, we'll be okay.

Jeremi Bumpus:

But I'm, I'm hoping that this process is, is done sooner rather than later.

Paul Comfort:

How many employees

Jeremi Bumpus:

do you have there?

Paul Comfort:

I.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So we're about 45 employees.

Paul Comfort:

Okay, very

Jeremi Bumpus:

good.

Jeremi Bumpus:

45 employees.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So yeah, we're in, and it's funny as a, when I travel, you

Jeremi Bumpus:

know, to some that's large and to some, you know, it's minuscule.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So, I still feel, extremely small and I still feel understaffed.

Jeremi Bumpus:

so I, I'm sure you know, a lot of other transit agents feel the exact same way.

Paul Comfort:

Yeah.

Paul Comfort:

What's your total annual

Jeremi Bumpus:

budget?

Jeremi Bumpus:

So

Paul Comfort:

about

Jeremi Bumpus:

$4 million.

Paul Comfort:

Okay.

Paul Comfort:

Very good.

Paul Comfort:

Yep.

Paul Comfort:

That's great.

Paul Comfort:

About 4 million.

Julie Gates:

Hi, I am Julie Gates, executive producer at Transit Unplugged.

Julie Gates:

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listening to Transit Unplugged.

Paul Comfort:

So you've also been working on improving your fixed route system.

Paul Comfort:

Right?

Paul Comfort:

Can you walk U.S. through what that, uh, what that's happening there and

Paul Comfort:

what that'll mean for riders in Paducah?

Jeremi Bumpus:

Yeah.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Yeah.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So when I came to Pat's, as we refer to it, I did not realize that our fixed

Jeremi Bumpus:

route system did not have bus stops.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And up until last week at Ignite, I met another transit agency in South

Jeremi Bumpus:

Dakota that has a similar fixed route.

Jeremi Bumpus:

they operate on a hail system just like we do.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And so for anyone that doesn't know, a hail system is anywhere along the route.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Someone can stand and hail down the bus or flag wave their hand, right?

Jeremi Bumpus:

Nope.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And just wave their hand.

Jeremi Bumpus:

as long as it's in a safe area.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Right, right.

Jeremi Bumpus:

When I came on, I said, wow, this is crazy.

Jeremi Bumpus:

I said, this is crazy.

Jeremi Bumpus:

and I learned, um, over time, uh, for U.S. it, it caused a lot of issues.

Jeremi Bumpus:

you know, it's, it's inefficient, it's dangerous.

Jeremi Bumpus:

People who come into the community who weren't familiar with the system

Jeremi Bumpus:

didn't know where to go because if you're coming from other cities,

Jeremi Bumpus:

whether you know, small, large, or medium sized, they have bus stops.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And so when you wanna access a fix route, you typically

Jeremi Bumpus:

find where the bus stops are.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Through some app or a map or something and you catch the bus

Jeremi Bumpus:

to get you where you need to go.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Well, that wasn't the case here in Paducah.

Jeremi Bumpus:

so I decided, uh, once, you know, the previous director, uh, retired

Jeremi Bumpus:

and I explained his plan to him.

Jeremi Bumpus:

He's like, Hey, you got it.

Jeremi Bumpus:

I want you to be successful.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Do it.

Jeremi Bumpus:

I said, Hey, we're gonna do it.

Jeremi Bumpus:

We're gonna hit the ground running.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So as a part of U.S. changing or transitioning to a 53 0 7.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Which is, you know, the, the small urban, as you you're probably familiar,

Jeremi Bumpus:

an MPO was formed a metropolitan planning organization in our area.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And through that MPO, they received the MPO received, some additional funding

Jeremi Bumpus:

and it was decided amongst that exec board that that funding can be used

Jeremi Bumpus:

for U.S. to conduct a transit study.

Jeremi Bumpus:

To study our fixed routes and essentially to make them more efficient.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And this was kind of the, this is the first thing that needed to happen before.

Jeremi Bumpus:

We put in the bus stops.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So I worked with the, well I'm on the exec board, but essentially

Jeremi Bumpus:

I asked for that funding.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Yeah.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Um, they allowed me to use it.

Jeremi Bumpus:

We worked with a local consulting firm.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Actually it's a national consulting firm that has an office here in Paducah.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Okay.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Um, we started that transit study in December, I'm sorry,

Jeremi Bumpus:

in September of last year.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Um, we've pretty much finished it up and we determined where those stops should be.

Jeremi Bumpus:

. We're almost done.

Jeremi Bumpus:

, I'm working with our local government here to get those, , bus

Jeremi Bumpus:

stops made and, , implemented.

Jeremi Bumpus:

But on the flip side, I also, and this again, this is where the technology

Jeremi Bumpus:

piece comes in, I said, well, hey, we need some sort of technology or app

Jeremi Bumpus:

that allows people to see the buses in real time and track the buses.

Jeremi Bumpus:

We know this technology exists.

Jeremi Bumpus:

It's all over the country.

Jeremi Bumpus:

We don't have it here, and I'm gonna make that happen.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So.

Jeremi Bumpus:

That's where TripSpark came in and worked with the TripSpark, purchased the

Jeremi Bumpus:

street software, and the My Ride app.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And we're working through that now, and we're about 90% complete on that.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So we're looking to launch the app, and the bus stop signs and all of that.

Jeremi Bumpus:

I'm looking to launch that all by July one, so Oh, that's awesome, man.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Yeah.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Yeah.

Jeremi Bumpus:

It's, it's gonna be a complete game changer for our community, so.

Paul Comfort:

Do you know?

Paul Comfort:

So you don't know how many bus stops you're gonna get yet 'cause

Paul Comfort:

your study's not done right?

Jeremi Bumpus:

Oh, well, the study's done.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Yeah.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Okay.

Jeremi Bumpus:

207, 207 bus stops.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Really?

Jeremi Bumpus:

Yes.

Jeremi Bumpus:

From nothing to 200.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Yes.

Jeremi Bumpus:

From nothing to 200.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So designated stops.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Um, again, it's gonna be a complete game changer for our city.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Um, in terms of, you know, economic development, you know, uh, the,

Jeremi Bumpus:

the morale, the passengers, uh.

Jeremi Bumpus:

You know, just the reputation that Pat's has, you know, uh, and it also cut down on

Jeremi Bumpus:

calls that we receive here in the office.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So our staff, that's just one less thing that they have to do.

Jeremi Bumpus:

yeah, again, you kind of put some of the power back into

Jeremi Bumpus:

the hands of the passengers.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Hey, they can plan out their trips.

Jeremi Bumpus:

They can set reminders on their phone to say, Hey, I catch this bus at this

Jeremi Bumpus:

location every day to get to work.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Now I don't necessarily need to call.

Jeremi Bumpus:

I can just plan it and receive a text notification.

Jeremi Bumpus:

When that bus is on its way, and I can ha I can set that to remind me every day when

Jeremi Bumpus:

I need to catch this bus at this location.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Yeah.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So again, it's, it's a game changer for U.S. and I'm, I'm excited.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Yeah, that's

Paul Comfort:

wonderful because people then know where to be at what time the

Paul Comfort:

bus will definitely be there, right?

Paul Comfort:

Yeah.

Paul Comfort:

Right.

Paul Comfort:

That's great, man.

Paul Comfort:

switching, uh, switching topics slightly here.

Paul Comfort:

Uh, Paducah has a unique cultural identity.

Paul Comfort:

When people think about Paducah, Kentucky, I mean, it's in my mind.

Paul Comfort:

What, what, what are you known for?

Jeremi Bumpus:

Two things.

Jeremi Bumpus:

of course you've heard of Dipping Dots,

Paul Comfort:

correct?

Paul Comfort:

Yes.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Yes.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Did you know that they're headquartered here in Paducah?

Paul Comfort:

Dipping Dots Ice cream is headquartered in Paducah.

Paul Comfort:

No, I did not know that.

Paul Comfort:

Wow.

Paul Comfort:

Yes.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Yep.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So that's one, which is a co fact.

Jeremi Bumpus:

actually, I told someone there at Ignite, there was a dipping Dots

Jeremi Bumpus:

stand there and I said, Hey, you know, that's headquarters where I live.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Idea.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And also the National Quilt Museum is located in Paducah.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And so every year the American Quilter Society holds an annual quilt week,

Jeremi Bumpus:

and you have thousands of people that travel from all over the country that

Jeremi Bumpus:

are really into quilting and the history of it and all these different things.

Jeremi Bumpus:

they travel here to Paducah and it's, it's great for our economy.

Jeremi Bumpus:

influx of money and tourism, um, goes up and it's something that

Jeremi Bumpus:

we all look forward to this year.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And, uh, we play a really vital role in that.

Jeremi Bumpus:

our role has kind of transitioned and changed over the years, again,

Jeremi Bumpus:

that's, that's one of the things we're known for is quilt week.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So, dipping ducks.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Yeah.

Paul Comfort:

Quilt.

Paul Comfort:

So what do you, yeah, that's great.

Paul Comfort:

What does your service actually, do?

Paul Comfort:

You say you play an important role.

Paul Comfort:

Tell U.S. about it.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Yeah.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Yeah.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So at one point we provided all transportation for quilt week.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Okay.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So we would run our fixed routes and we would run additional vehicles to transport

Jeremi Bumpus:

all of the quilters is what we call them.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Yeah.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Um, all over the city and over time.

Jeremi Bumpus:

There were some, and this was, this was before my time, but there

Jeremi Bumpus:

were some, uh, things that came up.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And essentially we had to reduce our service.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So now what we're doing is we have a couple of trolleys that we run.

Jeremi Bumpus:

We start that halfway through the week and we run it through the weekend and

Jeremi Bumpus:

it's a complimentary trial, so no.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So there's no cost associated with it.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Uh, we work with our local visitors bureau and the convention center

Jeremi Bumpus:

and the Quilt Museum, and our, we call them our Paducah ambassadors.

Jeremi Bumpus:

We hold, they hold this meeting, we all work together and we

Jeremi Bumpus:

coordinate this transportation.

Jeremi Bumpus:

and again, it's, it's great for the community, it's great for U.S.

Jeremi Bumpus:

and people just love to see that trolley.

Jeremi Bumpus:

and those trolleys running around our city, knowing that, hey, when

Jeremi Bumpus:

you see those trolleys at this time of year, you know, it's quilt week.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So yeah.

Paul Comfort:

That's awesome, man.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Yeah, it's

Paul Comfort:

great.

Paul Comfort:

So you, one of the cool things about, uh, that I have found about being in a

Paul Comfort:

smaller agency is you get to wear a lot of hats most people in these jobs don't

Paul Comfort:

complain about it because it's fun.

Paul Comfort:

I mean, I've got a chapter in my upcoming book called, do Not

Paul Comfort:

Despise The Day of Small Beginnings.

Paul Comfort:

A great quote, you know, from the good book.

Paul Comfort:

And, uh, I started out my career in a small transit system

Paul Comfort:

and got to wear all the hats.

Paul Comfort:

But you there, you do a lot, right?

Paul Comfort:

You're the head of media and marketing for your own agency.

Paul Comfort:

And, uh, as such, how do you, uh, spread the word about what's working for

Paul Comfort:

you guys and how's it working so far?

Jeremi Bumpus:

Yeah, so a couple things.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Um, when I started, there was no marketing, and we didn't have any media.

Jeremi Bumpus:

The extent of our marketing and media was our local newspaper.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Okay.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Um, which again, it, it kinda speaks to the generational differences.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Between myself and the, the former director.

Jeremi Bumpus:

I've come in, I've started the social media pages, which, you know,

Jeremi Bumpus:

they're not as active as they were.

Jeremi Bumpus:

when I was assistant director, I was a little more active with those.

Jeremi Bumpus:

But as director, I've kind of tapered back a little bit, but,

Jeremi Bumpus:

um, our social media pages, and then, uh, using the local media.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So again, still using newspaper.

Jeremi Bumpus:

'cause I understand we have a large population of our, uh, community

Jeremi Bumpus:

that still reads a newspaper, um, using the local news station.

Jeremi Bumpus:

then one of the key things that I've done is I've worked with

Jeremi Bumpus:

TripSpark and Message Point Media.

Jeremi Bumpus:

I've added a kiosk outside of our building, which again,

Jeremi Bumpus:

for some agencies around the country, that's a complete norm.

Jeremi Bumpus:

It's total game changer for U.S. because then we essentially have a 24 hour

Jeremi Bumpus:

kiosk that is outside of our building that we can use for advertising,

Jeremi Bumpus:

we can use for announcements, so we can use for things of that nature.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Also, with U.S. using the app My Ride, we'll be able to put

Jeremi Bumpus:

things out to all passengers using that via the, OR using the app.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Um.

Jeremi Bumpus:

That allows U.S. to market and reach a broader audience

Jeremi Bumpus:

quicker, and it's cheaper.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So, um, that's one of the things that I do.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And I have a couple of people on my team, you know, that assist with that, but Yeah.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Um, again, director, we wear many hats.

Jeremi Bumpus:

That's right, man.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So when it comes to marketing, it's like, hey, I'm the, I'm the go-to.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And, you know, I'm not above it.

Jeremi Bumpus:

You know, things have to happen.

Jeremi Bumpus:

We all, we all are busy, but you know, it's what I signed up for.

Jeremi Bumpus:

It's a job.

Jeremi Bumpus:

That's wonderful.

Paul Comfort:

Well, when you're not leading Pats, I know you're into

Paul Comfort:

fitness, I met you and your wife there in, in, uh, at the conference and at

Paul Comfort:

the ball game, and you like to travel and spend times with loved ones.

Paul Comfort:

How do those passions recharge you as a leader and do they

Paul Comfort:

influence your approach to work?

Jeremi Bumpus:

They do.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Um, the way that they recharge me as a leader is I'm really

Jeremi Bumpus:

big into compartmentalization.

Jeremi Bumpus:

I, I absolutely believe in work-life balance, and that

Jeremi Bumpus:

doesn't look the same for everyone.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So I always tell people, Hey, when I'm not working, I'm not working right.

Jeremi Bumpus:

When I'm off, I'm off.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Um, now that doesn't mean I won't answer my phone.

Jeremi Bumpus:

That doesn't mean I won't respond, but I love to enjoy time away from work.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And so what that allows me to do is it allows me to decompress.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And it allows me to think, get new fresh ideas, think how I'm gonna do

Jeremi Bumpus:

this, what do I need to do tomorrow?

Jeremi Bumpus:

It kind of just resets me.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So if I go home and I'm able to work out, or I can just spend some

Jeremi Bumpus:

time with my kids and I can just not necessarily think of work when I

Jeremi Bumpus:

get back into the office, I'm fresh.

Paul Comfort:

Yeah.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And for me to, for me, that helps eliminate, or it, it helps keep, um.

Jeremi Bumpus:

It helps keep me from feeling burnt out because when you're running 24 7 and it's

Jeremi Bumpus:

just work, work, work, work, work, it's e it's really, really easy to get burnt out.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Especially in transit in a small transit agency where you are wearing many hats.

Jeremi Bumpus:

'cause there are gonna be days where you're frustrated.

Jeremi Bumpus:

things are not gonna go your way.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And you know, you know this where in transit it's never if something is going

Jeremi Bumpus:

to happen, it's just when That's right.

Jeremi Bumpus:

You know, that's a.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Yeah, go ahead.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Something's gonna happen.

Jeremi Bumpus:

No, something's gonna happen.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And that's right.

Jeremi Bumpus:

You know, to, I, I never wanna allow myself to be jaded.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So some, it's good to just step away, compartmentalize, and

Jeremi Bumpus:

hey, if I'm in the gym and I'm working out, that's all I'm doing.

Jeremi Bumpus:

If I'm playing with my kids, I'm playing with my kids.

Jeremi Bumpus:

If my wife and I are on a date somewhere, we're on a date,

Jeremi Bumpus:

I'm not thinking about work.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Now.

Jeremi Bumpus:

If they call me, if something work comes up, you know, I gotta take care of it.

Jeremi Bumpus:

But I just compartmentalize.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And I just, I, I, I, I like, I like my life.

Jeremi Bumpus:

I like to live my life that way, so

Paul Comfort:

very, very good.

Paul Comfort:

And looking ahead, last question.

Paul Comfort:

What's your vision for Pat?

Paul Comfort:

Where, where do you think it'll be in two or three years

Paul Comfort:

from now into your leadership?

Paul Comfort:

I. Uh, two to

Jeremi Bumpus:

three years from now.

Jeremi Bumpus:

it's a good question.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Where do I see pets?

Jeremi Bumpus:

I see pets, um, just continuing to improve our services, looking at technology,

Jeremi Bumpus:

how we can use it to improve our services, to make them more efficient.

Jeremi Bumpus:

I will say this, one of the things that recently I've come

Jeremi Bumpus:

across is some AI software.

Jeremi Bumpus:

That will allow U.S. to monitor maintenance issues on our

Jeremi Bumpus:

vehicles in real time and not necessarily wait for a breakdown.

Jeremi Bumpus:

So as technology improves, it evolves.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Those are the things that I'm always looking into, talking with

Jeremi Bumpus:

my team about getting new ideas, um, and not just myself always.

Jeremi Bumpus:

I have an open door policy and I communicate with my

Jeremi Bumpus:

team and our employees daily.

Jeremi Bumpus:

And when people have ideas or thoughts on something, I never

Jeremi Bumpus:

shoot them down immediately.

Jeremi Bumpus:

I always hear them out and, and people do it often.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Hey Jeremy, what do you think about this?

Jeremi Bumpus:

And I'm like, okay, yeah, that's a good idea.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Or Hey, yeah, we can do that, but we need to find the money for it or the funding.

Jeremi Bumpus:

I see Pats just continuing to move forward, improve our services, and,

Jeremi Bumpus:

and trying to catch up to some of the other transit agencies in the country

Jeremi Bumpus:

that, that have a little more resources.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Um, you know, I don't want people to look at Pats and say, okay, well

Jeremi Bumpus:

Pats is functioning like it's 2005.

Jeremi Bumpus:

No.

Jeremi Bumpus:

I want people to look at Pats and say, Hey, pats is functioning

Jeremi Bumpus:

like the times we're in.

Jeremi Bumpus:

They have the technology, they have the resources that they need to provide

Jeremi Bumpus:

the best service that they can provide.

Paul Comfort:

That's awesome, man.

Paul Comfort:

Great vision.

Paul Comfort:

I love it.

Paul Comfort:

And this has been a great conversation, very informative for

Paul Comfort:

people to see a mid-size, smaller, mid-size agency and how you operate.

Paul Comfort:

Uh, when you get to your new fixed routes and you implement the

Paul Comfort:

software seriously, send me another note and gimme an update on it.

Paul Comfort:

We'll, we'll let folks know how it's going.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Oh yeah, for sure.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Absolutely.

Jeremi Bumpus:

Absolutely.

Paul Comfort:

Thank you Jeremy Bump U.S. for being our guest today.

Paul Comfort:

Best wishes as you continue to lead Paducah Transit authorities

Paul Comfort:

or executive director.

Paul Comfort:

It was great meeting you and we, I hope to see you again sometime

Paul Comfort:

at another TripSpark conference.

Julie Gates:

Thank you for listening to this week's episode

Julie Gates:

of the Transit Unplugged Podcast.

Julie Gates:

We're so glad you're here.

Julie Gates:

My name is Julie Gates.

Julie Gates:

I'm the executive producer of the show, and our goal is to create

Julie Gates:

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Julie Gates:

by providing you with behind the scenes access with industry executive

Julie Gates:

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Julie Gates:

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Head to the show notes to find the link.

Julie Gates:

Thanks for listening to Transit Unplugged with Paul Comfort, our favorite transit

Julie Gates:

evangelist, and we'll catch you next week.

Julie Gates:

Thanks for tuning in.

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Transit Unplugged
Leading podcast on public transit hosted by Paul Comfort, SVP Modaxo.

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