Episode 29

On the Bus with Coree Cuff Lonergan: Building Broward’s $4B Transit Future

What does it take to launch a $4.3 billion, multi-modal transit expansion? For Coree Cuff Lonergan, CEO of Broward County Transit, it takes vision, momentum—and a bit of patience.

This week on Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort hops aboard with Coree for a rolling bus interview through Broward County, Florida. They talk big-picture leadership, boots-on-the-ground transit planning, and why Broward’s “PREMO” program is setting a new standard for regional mobility.

From LEED Gold-Certified transit centers to special-event service for international cricket matches, to AI-powered community engagement—this episode shows what happens when local government, smart investment, and public trust align for real impact.

Plus: Coree reveals her most unexpected leadership tool… a cookbook.

This episode covers:

Broward’s $4.3 billion PREMO capital expansion program

Adding three new modes of transit: commuter rail, BRT, and light rail

The importance of workforce investment and operational facilities

How AI and VR might transform the rider experience

Why cooking helps her lead better



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


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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
Paul Comfort:

This week on Transit Unplugged.

Paul Comfort:

I'm with Coree Cuff Lonergan, the CEO of the Broward County Transit System

Paul Comfort:

down there near Fort Lauderdale, Florida, just north of Miami.

Paul Comfort:

I'm Paul Comfort, and on this episode we recorded the, uh, podcast live in person

Paul Comfort:

and on the bus, because of course we did.

Paul Comfort:

We recorded the whole interview, multiple pieces of it while we were riding

Paul Comfort:

the bus, going all over the county.

Paul Comfort:

Uh, working on filming an episode of our Transit Unplugged TV show,

Paul Comfort:

the companion piece, which will run in August, Broward County.

Paul Comfort:

The reason I wanted to go there is not just because Coree Cuff Lanigan's a good

Paul Comfort:

friend of mine and a great, tremendous leader, but they are involved in what I

Paul Comfort:

think is the largest capital program I.

Paul Comfort:

Anywhere on the east coast of the United States, one of the largest in the

Paul Comfort:

nation, they have a $4.3 billion transit expansion program called Primo, and

Paul Comfort:

it is premium transit coming your way.

Paul Comfort:

Three brand new modes.

Paul Comfort:

That's right.

Paul Comfort:

I don't know anybody adding three modes or adding commuter rail.

Paul Comfort:

Then bus, rapid transit, and then light rail.

Paul Comfort:

Amazing.

Paul Comfort:

It's part of a 15 year program.

Paul Comfort:

It's already underway.

Paul Comfort:

We go out and actually go to some of the sites where they'll be building.

Paul Comfort:

Coree also shared, uh, while we were talking on the bus, how they're using AI

Paul Comfort:

to improve public engagement, and we talk about the rider experience and she comes

Paul Comfort:

at the end of this podcast with a pretty amazing idea of how we could improve,

Paul Comfort:

uh, the customer experience on the bus and make it feel totally different.

Paul Comfort:

I think you're gonna want to hear that big vision, real

Paul Comfort:

projects and the energy to match.

Paul Comfort:

Coree Cuff Lonergan, man, she's all right in my book.

Paul Comfort:

She's rocking down there in Broward County.

Paul Comfort:

I can't wait for you to hear this interview on the bus

Paul Comfort:

with Coree Cuff Lonergan.

Paul Comfort:

Let's join.

Paul Comfort:

Excited to be in Broward County today with Coree Cuff Lonergan, the CEO My good.

Paul Comfort:

Friend, uh, Coree, thanks for we're on your bus.

Paul Comfort:

This is awesome.

Paul Comfort:

Coree Cuff Lonergan: Yeah.

Paul Comfort:

We're so glad to have you here, uh, Paul, you and your team, and, um,

Paul Comfort:

we're gonna, um, show you a good time.

Paul Comfort:

Today's great s great because Broward County is all about visitors and tourism,

Paul Comfort:

and we love having visitors here.

Paul Comfort:

We're so glad you're here with U.S.

Paul Comfort:

Well, thanks.

Paul Comfort:

We were able to ride, uh, one of your express buses this morning

Paul Comfort:

right up from downtown Miami.

Paul Comfort:

$2 and 65 cents.

Paul Comfort:

One way to come right in here to a great parking ride.

Paul Comfort:

I mean, it's a great connection you have.

Paul Comfort:

Just to start off, you know, it's

Paul Comfort:

Coree Cuff Lonergan: a good connection.

Paul Comfort:

And in fact, so many of our commuters use that daily, right?

Paul Comfort:

So, if you can imagine traffic and similar to other parts of the country,

Paul Comfort:

we are particularly, uh, traffic, uh, challenge and heavily congested.

Paul Comfort:

And so much of our community and, and the major arterials and I 95, which,

Paul Comfort:

you know, goes all the way up the coast, uh, to Maine, uh, is one of those

Paul Comfort:

arterials that's heavily congested.

Paul Comfort:

So we provide a, , nonstop service from our Miramar Park

Paul Comfort:

and Ride lot to downtown Miami.

Paul Comfort:

So people who live.

Paul Comfort:

In Broward County can, um, work in Miami-Dade.

Paul Comfort:

They can take our system down to, uh, Miami-Dade.

Paul Comfort:

They can relax, they can sit back, enjoy the ride.

Paul Comfort:

They don't have the stressor of traffic or any of those challenges.

Paul Comfort:

Oh yeah, I saw the traffic coming out this morning.

Paul Comfort:

It's awful, isn't it?

Paul Comfort:

We were coming out,

Paul Comfort:

that was great.

Paul Comfort:

We were in the express lane.

Paul Comfort:

Yep.

Paul Comfort:

But the people coming in, I mean, it's a nightmare today.

Paul Comfort:

I imagine it is

Paul Comfort:

Coree Cuff Lonergan: bumper to bumper, but you guys get in the

Paul Comfort:

express lane and can go right by.

Paul Comfort:

Yep.

Paul Comfort:

It the cruise on

Paul Comfort:

Coree Cuff Lonergan: by.

Paul Comfort:

That's great man.

Paul Comfort:

And so we were just tell U.S. where we were just at.

Paul Comfort:

You just showed me a pool facility,

Paul Comfort:

Coree Cuff Lonergan: so, so sure.

Paul Comfort:

So we were just at our Lauder Hill.

Paul Comfort:

Transit center.

Paul Comfort:

And I gotta tell you, that is our crown jewel of our, of our system.

Paul Comfort:

We are so proud of that location.

Paul Comfort:

We have about 8,000 people that come through through there on a daily basis.

Paul Comfort:

And we have five, um, uh, five routes that come into there.

Paul Comfort:

And so basically, um, there are major routes.

Paul Comfort:

So from that central location, you can go all the way down to Miami

Paul Comfort:

or you can go up into Palm Beach.

Paul Comfort:

Um, but what's the best part about it?

Paul Comfort:

It's a relatively new, um, facility.

Paul Comfort:

In, in that facility has, is the first of its kind in the country to

Paul Comfort:

be named lead, uh, gold certified.

Paul Comfort:

Wow.

Paul Comfort:

And so we're so proud of that.

Paul Comfort:

Um, and so we actually export energy from that facility.

Paul Comfort:

I saw all the, uh, solar panels.

Paul Comfort:

The solar panels, right.

Paul Comfort:

So we are net positive.

Paul Comfort:

That's great.

Paul Comfort:

We get what we need there and then also contribute back to the grid.

Paul Comfort:

So that's a huge accomplishment and it's so architecturally interesting too.

Paul Comfort:

Yes.

Paul Comfort:

It's got like, it's, it.

Paul Comfort:

As a building, it looks like it's almost moving with all the tiles.

Paul Comfort:

Yeah.

Paul Comfort:

We're gonna show it

Paul Comfort:

on the, on our companion TV show.

Paul Comfort:

People get to see it.

Paul Comfort:

Um, the other thing that we like, I like seeing was you have brake

Paul Comfort:

facilities there for your drivers.

Paul Comfort:

Yep.

Paul Comfort:

So if they're on a break, tell me about that.

Paul Comfort:

Sure.

Paul Comfort:

So,

Paul Comfort:

Coree Cuff Lonergan: you know, with any, um, transit center, you wanna make sure

Paul Comfort:

that you take care of your workforce.

Paul Comfort:

And that was an important consideration for U.S. when that was under design, is

Paul Comfort:

that we had those, uh, accommodations for our operators who, you know,

Paul Comfort:

are transferring or taking a break.

Paul Comfort:

During, uh, their shift and they can actually even start their

Paul Comfort:

shift there if, if necessary.

Paul Comfort:

Yeah.

Paul Comfort:

But, um, you know, there's, there's lockers, there's uh, a

Paul Comfort:

kitchenette, there's a refrigerator, there's vending machines.

Paul Comfort:

Um, there's all kinds of stuff in there, uh, for people to relax and Yeah.

Paul Comfort:

And take a, take a break from the day.

Paul Comfort:

That's great.

Paul Comfort:

Alright, we're getting ready to hop off the bus.

Paul Comfort:

You're gonna show me a cricket stadium, huh?

Paul Comfort:

I'm gonna show you a cricket

Paul Comfort:

Coree Cuff Lonergan: stadium.

Paul Comfort:

That's amazing, man.

Paul Comfort:

Coree Cuff Lonergan: We actually have one of those in Briar County.

Paul Comfort:

That's great.

Paul Comfort:

Yeah.

Paul Comfort:

And if you wanna see it, you'll have to watch our companion show.

Paul Comfort:

Transit Unplug TV from Broward.

Paul Comfort:

We'll be right back after this.

Paul Comfort:

All right, we're back on the bus with Coree Lonergan, CEO

Paul Comfort:

of Broward County Transit.

Paul Comfort:

Coree, that was an amazing, uh, cricket facility run by the county government.

Paul Comfort:

Coree Cuff Lonergan: Yeah, it is.

Paul Comfort:

And we're so, uh, pleased to be able to host World Cup events and be considered

Paul Comfort:

in the co in one of the premier cricket stadiums in the entire country.

Paul Comfort:

And you guys serve that with transit, right?

Paul Comfort:

And we served

Paul Comfort:

Coree Cuff Lonergan: that with Transit and we, uh, when there are, when we had the

Paul Comfort:

World Cup event, we actually had special service for that, um, just to accommodate

Paul Comfort:

all the people that were coming in.

Paul Comfort:

Yeah.

Paul Comfort:

Uh, to take.

Paul Comfort:

See, uh, the event.

Paul Comfort:

That's amazing.

Paul Comfort:

So let's, um, take a step back and, um, tell me about your transit system.

Paul Comfort:

What do you got going here in Broward County?

Paul Comfort:

So our, it's located where we're at.

Paul Comfort:

We're just north of Miami, right?

Paul Comfort:

We

Paul Comfort:

Coree Cuff Lonergan: are north of Miami and we are the second largest

Paul Comfort:

transit system in the state of Florida.

Paul Comfort:

Oh wow.

Paul Comfort:

Behind Miami?

Paul Comfort:

Um, behind Miami, yeah.

Paul Comfort:

Okay.

Paul Comfort:

Yeah.

Paul Comfort:

, And we're in the , process of expanding, but right now what we

Paul Comfort:

have is a fixed route service as well as our Paratransits top service.

Paul Comfort:

And

Paul Comfort:

We have an annual operating capital budget of roughly about $500 million.

Paul Comfort:

Okay.

Paul Comfort:

. We do have a, , workforce of, about 1300 people.

Paul Comfort:

And, , the majority of that obviously is our operations team, where we have our

Paul Comfort:

bus operators and mechanics, , and they are the heart and soul of our system.

Paul Comfort:

They keep our buses running, our customers happy.

Paul Comfort:

We also have a very strong customer service, frontline

Paul Comfort:

workforce that engages with our customers on a daily basis as well.

Paul Comfort:

So, Fort Lauderdale is your big city, right?

Paul Comfort:

Coree Cuff Lonergan: Fort Lauderdale is.

Paul Comfort:

One of the 31 cities here in Bro County.

Paul Comfort:

Oh,

Paul Comfort:

wow.

Paul Comfort:

Okay.

Paul Comfort:

Coree Cuff Lonergan: And populations wise, it is one of the largest

Paul Comfort:

total population of the county you're serving.

Paul Comfort:

Our

Paul Comfort:

Coree Cuff Lonergan: county is about 1.9 to 2 million, and it fluctuates

Paul Comfort:

some days, any given given day.

Paul Comfort:

Right.

Paul Comfort:

Million next day got hundred point spring breakers.

Paul Comfort:

Yeah.

Paul Comfort:

Wow.

Paul Comfort:

By the way, is that, that's a big deal steal here, right?

Paul Comfort:

Spring break?

Paul Comfort:

Yeah.

Paul Comfort:

We

Paul Comfort:

Coree Cuff Lonergan: just hosted the spring break in Fort Lauderdale.

Paul Comfort:

Okay.

Paul Comfort:

A couple weeks ago.

Paul Comfort:

And, and we were supporting , , the city with some, , of their, , evacuation.

Paul Comfort:

And activities in the, in the city.

Paul Comfort:

And, you know, whenever they need our help, we're there to help them.

Paul Comfort:

So I know you came here from ADA with one goal in mind.

Paul Comfort:

What's that goal?

Paul Comfort:

What do you, what's your big thing you're doing here?

Paul Comfort:

Coree Cuff Lonergan: So the, the one thing that really made this job the

Paul Comfort:

right fit for me was the opportunity to build out, uh, our primo program.

Paul Comfort:

And when I started, , it was in the planning stages and it was

Paul Comfort:

wrapping up, uh, and being finalized.

Paul Comfort:

We had identified 10 corridors that we wanted to put.

Paul Comfort:

Different types of service on including light rail, commuter rail, bus, rapid

Paul Comfort:

transit, and high frequency bus service.

Paul Comfort:

And so now I'm so excited because, , it is a $4.3 billion program.

Paul Comfort:

Um, we were able to, um, pull those early planning efforts , together

Paul Comfort:

very shortly after my arrival, , take it to our commission.

Paul Comfort:

And the commission unanimously voted to approve it, , which was one of

Paul Comfort:

my major first accomplishments.

Paul Comfort:

I was so excited.

Paul Comfort:

To be able to, uh, bring that to, yeah.

Paul Comfort:

$4

Paul Comfort:

billion project.

Paul Comfort:

Come on, Dan.

Paul Comfort:

Yeah.

Paul Comfort:

Coree Cuff Lonergan: Yeah.

Paul Comfort:

So, uh, since then of those 10 projects, we have actually actively

Paul Comfort:

working, uh, uh, three of them.

Paul Comfort:

Okay.

Paul Comfort:

Um, and what are they, which ones?

Paul Comfort:

And the, the one, the commuter rail.

Paul Comfort:

Okay.

Paul Comfort:

Um, where's that gonna go?

Paul Comfort:

That Broward Commuter Rail South is going from, eventually it goes from Miami-Dade

Paul Comfort:

all the way up to Fort Lauderdale.

Paul Comfort:

Okay.

Paul Comfort:

, And Miami-Dade is taking care of the.

Paul Comfort:

Five stations within their county limits.

Paul Comfort:

Okay.

Paul Comfort:

And then we are adding on an additional three stations within our county.

Paul Comfort:

, One will be located at, in the city of Hollywood, which you will see tomorrow.

Paul Comfort:

Um, the second one will be located right at the airport, so it'll be

Paul Comfort:

very convenient for people that wanna, you know, use commute around.

Paul Comfort:

Uh, and then we're also going to have a station at, uh, Broward Health,

Paul Comfort:

which is South Wood Lauderdale.

Paul Comfort:

Okay.

Paul Comfort:

And, uh, quickly, what are the other two projects you got the.

Paul Comfort:

Coree Cuff Lonergan: Rail Airport, Seaport Convention Center, which

Paul Comfort:

is a light rail project that's, uh, going to connect the three.

Paul Comfort:

We're gonna go see that, right?

Paul Comfort:

Three major economic engines for Broward County and we also

Paul Comfort:

have our Oakland Park BRT.

Paul Comfort:

Alright,

Paul Comfort:

Coree Cuff Lonergan: bus Rapid Transit Lot.

Paul Comfort:

Great.

Paul Comfort:

We'll talk more about that in just a minute.

Paul Comfort:

We're right.

Paul Comfort:

Ready.

Paul Comfort:

Hop off the bus and take another site here.

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

Julie Gates:

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Thanks for being on this journey with U.S.

Paul Comfort:

So what do you like to do, like to recharge Coree?

Paul Comfort:

When I, you know, I know being a CEO is like a full-time job,

Paul Comfort:

night, day, weekends, but you gotta have some time, right?

Paul Comfort:

What do you do to.

Paul Comfort:

Have fun, relax, recharge.

Paul Comfort:

Coree Cuff Lonergan: Yeah.

Paul Comfort:

So you, you're right.

Paul Comfort:

You know this, these jobs are intense and, and they are somewhat 24 7, right?

Paul Comfort:

But it is very important to balance the work with life.

Paul Comfort:

And, uh, one of the things that I love to do is cook.

Paul Comfort:

And, you know, prior to Covid, I didn't cook very well or very often, but then

Paul Comfort:

when we were all on lockdown, I started to pay attention to, um, cooking.

Paul Comfort:

And I, I couldn't order anything.

Paul Comfort:

I couldn't eat out.

Paul Comfort:

And so I started cooking myself.

Paul Comfort:

I said, I can do that myself.

Paul Comfort:

And so.

Paul Comfort:

I started watching a lot of cooking shows and I bought gazillion cookbooks.

Paul Comfort:

Oh wow.

Paul Comfort:

And I really started to up my game in the cooking department.

Paul Comfort:

What I didn't know, which is funny, is how bad I was doing with my family.

Paul Comfort:

I had no idea.

Paul Comfort:

So before, prior to that, when I would cook, it would always

Paul Comfort:

be some kind of excuse why we weren't gonna eat or whatever.

Paul Comfort:

But then after I got my skills up, then everybody was running to

Paul Comfort:

the table and curious about what I was cooking, and that gave me.

Paul Comfort:

Me a, you know, an interest in seeing what else I could do with that.

Paul Comfort:

But it was so relaxing for me during that time and, uh, and it grounded me.

Paul Comfort:

And so now even I'm very into it and, uh, that's how I, you know,

Paul Comfort:

kind of relax and calm down.

Paul Comfort:

, I do recipe development, so I'm experimenting in the kitchen.

Paul Comfort:

I'm an engineer, so I have this natural interest in chemistry and how things

Paul Comfort:

work and why they work together.

Paul Comfort:

Oh, yeah, yeah.

Paul Comfort:

Um, but applying that in the food environment is.

Paul Comfort:

Just, you know, unique and different, but still a lot of fun.

Paul Comfort:

And so I'm in the process of doing my recipe development.

Paul Comfort:

Eventually, at some point in time, I would hope to be able to write a

Paul Comfort:

cookbook, a compilation of my recipes, some of my family recipes as well.

Paul Comfort:

Oh yeah, Coree's cookbook.

Paul Comfort:

Coree's cookbook.

Paul Comfort:

And, um, and, and so when I, I, I really enjoy the fact this weekend

Paul Comfort:

I made some, I'm hosting a brunch and I made these sweet rolls and you

Paul Comfort:

know, people say, oh, I can't see.

Paul Comfort:

Stand the cook.

Paul Comfort:

But I gotta tell you, there's something for me at least with, , getting

Paul Comfort:

your hands dirty, getting getting into that dough, needing that dough.

Paul Comfort:

Oh yeah.

Paul Comfort:

That's like

Paul Comfort:

therapeutic almost.

Paul Comfort:

It's very therapeutic.

Paul Comfort:

I

Paul Comfort:

Coree Cuff Lonergan: had no idea that that's how it worked, but

Paul Comfort:

it's very therapeutic for me.

Paul Comfort:

Uh, and then at the end I get to create something.

Paul Comfort:

I get something I can create and share that people enjoy.

Paul Comfort:

That's wonderful.

Paul Comfort:

So that's what makes me

Paul Comfort:

happy.

Paul Comfort:

Do you have any like favorites that you make?

Paul Comfort:

Coree Cuff Lonergan: I do.

Paul Comfort:

So I, uh, I love to bake.

Paul Comfort:

Okay.

Paul Comfort:

And before I could never bake, , and.

Paul Comfort:

And so, , one of my favorite things to , make is pumpkin bread.

Paul Comfort:

I love making pumpkin.

Paul Comfort:

That's, it's delicious.

Paul Comfort:

Uh, and I make that, especially at, uh, during the holidays, obviously.

Paul Comfort:

, And there's , a skillet, a chicken skillet dish just with, uh, chicken

Paul Comfort:

thighs and um, and potatoes and, you know, you cook them in the oven.

Paul Comfort:

It's real quick, easy dish, but it's delicious.

Paul Comfort:

It's, it tastes That's awesome.

Paul Comfort:

Kind of on the gourmet side, and I'm still experimenting.

Paul Comfort:

I'm, I'm.

Paul Comfort:

Doing French.

Paul Comfort:

I do, uh, you know, just, uh, American cuisine.

Paul Comfort:

I do soul food, I do southern cooking, , island cooking, all of it.

Paul Comfort:

I'm just doing that very experimental, uh, time in my life and, and loving it.

Paul Comfort:

That's

Paul Comfort:

awesome.

Paul Comfort:

Coree, as we look forward to the future, what do you see for our industry?

Paul Comfort:

Coree Cuff Lonergan: You know, um, Paul, I see, uh, our industry

Paul Comfort:

has a very bright future.

Paul Comfort:

Uh, I think that we are in a good space where we can look at ways to create

Paul Comfort:

efficiencies within our organizations, while at the same time looking for

Paul Comfort:

opportunities to grow and expand.

Paul Comfort:

Um, I do think.

Paul Comfort:

That from an innovation perspective, leaning into technology obviously is

Paul Comfort:

one of the things that we have to do.

Paul Comfort:

Uh, leveraging AI to its fullest capability is something that

Paul Comfort:

we also need to, to embrace.

Paul Comfort:

Yeah, that's big and it's big, right.

Paul Comfort:

You know, I was at, uh, TRB back in the fall and uh, they were

Paul Comfort:

actually did a, uh, a segment on using AI for stakeholder engagement.

Paul Comfort:

And it was a fascinating seminar on that.

Paul Comfort:

So we're looking at how we can.

Paul Comfort:

Bridge, you know, AI and chat GPT to help U.S. with our public engagement.

Paul Comfort:

It's still in the early stages of things, but it's something that we're definitely

Paul Comfort:

looking at because particularly since we are doing a full born expansion

Paul Comfort:

here, you know, with this, um, with our Premo program, we need to figure

Paul Comfort:

out ways to engage with the public beyond what we traditionally do.

Paul Comfort:

Obviously we still have to do that, you know, in person,

Paul Comfort:

face-to-face conversations.

Paul Comfort:

Those are very critical when you're doing major.

Paul Comfort:

Infrastructure investment projects, but now let's leverage all those other tools

Paul Comfort:

that we have out there for people who may not be able to show up for a meeting,

Paul Comfort:

but still wanna be part of the process.

Paul Comfort:

That's

Paul Comfort:

very good.

Paul Comfort:

Coree Cuff Lonergan: Um, the last thing I wanted to also mention, and, and I think

Paul Comfort:

this is, you know, where innovation also, uh, is important and, and where we can

Paul Comfort:

create significant efficiencies is looking at how we warehouse our goods and, uh,

Paul Comfort:

and keep our materials and our supplies.

Paul Comfort:

There is so much technology out there to do it better than what we do.

Paul Comfort:

Um, and I, and I'm looking at that for our Covin bus facility to see how we can

Paul Comfort:

implement a different warehousing system that allows U.S. to be more efficient

Paul Comfort:

while at the same time, , being able to create, , a very clean and easy to

Paul Comfort:

find material management environment.

Paul Comfort:

So that's really like in the shop?

Paul Comfort:

Like in the shop, yes.

Paul Comfort:

Okay.

Paul Comfort:

Yeah, absolutely.

Paul Comfort:

Yeah.

Paul Comfort:

And the other thing that I see is, , something that I see in

Paul Comfort:

the future and I, I know that.

Paul Comfort:

This is way out there.

Paul Comfort:

But I see that as a true opportunity for U.S. is to

Paul Comfort:

reimagine the experience on the bus.

Paul Comfort:

Okay.

Paul Comfort:

Like we're on right now,

Paul Comfort:

Coree Cuff Lonergan: like we're on right now.

Paul Comfort:

Right?

Paul Comfort:

Yeah.

Paul Comfort:

So let's just say that you get on the bus and we were able to create a

Paul Comfort:

spotlight experience on the bus that either everybody's experiencing at the

Paul Comfort:

same time as a common experience, or you put your virtual reality glasses

Paul Comfort:

on and you're in your own world.

Paul Comfort:

Wow.

Paul Comfort:

Coree Cuff Lonergan: So that's something I look forward to seeing if we can.

Paul Comfort:

Invest in something like that and, and bring that to reality here.

Paul Comfort:

I love that.

Paul Comfort:

Outside the box thinking.

Paul Comfort:

Yeah.

Paul Comfort:

Kind of reshaping what the experience is, right?

Paul Comfort:

Coree Cuff Lonergan: Yeah.

Paul Comfort:

And then, you know, and then in re-imagining how we set up

Paul Comfort:

the interior of a U.S. Okay.

Paul Comfort:

You know, how do we move the masses while at the same time creating an environment

Paul Comfort:

that is soothing, inviting, interesting.

Paul Comfort:

Productive and safe.

Paul Comfort:

I love that, Coree.

Paul Comfort:

I hope you're able to do that.

Paul Comfort:

That's amazing.

Paul Comfort:

Coree Cuff Lonergan: Thank you.

Paul Comfort:

Yeah.

Paul Comfort:

Well, this has been great.

Paul Comfort:

I love that we did this whole interview on a. Bus.

Paul Comfort:

Coree Cuff Lonergan: Oh, we did?

Paul Comfort:

Yeah.

Paul Comfort:

I don't think we've ever done that before then.

Paul Comfort:

A whole podcast on a bus.

Paul Comfort:

Yeah.

Paul Comfort:

You're a bus agency.

Paul Comfort:

Why not, right?

Paul Comfort:

Why not?

Paul Comfort:

Right?

Paul Comfort:

For now.

Paul Comfort:

For now, but soon.

Paul Comfort:

Rarely to come.

Paul Comfort:

Right rail to come.

Paul Comfort:

Yeah.

Paul Comfort:

What's the timeline you think, for everything?

Paul Comfort:

I don't think we talked about that yet.

Paul Comfort:

When is it phased?

Paul Comfort:

Like it's gonna roll in like a waterfall.

Paul Comfort:

Coree Cuff Lonergan: It's a, it is definitely phased.

Paul Comfort:

It's phased for myriad of reasons, obviously.

Paul Comfort:

Yeah.

Paul Comfort:

You can't do everything at

Paul Comfort:

Coree Cuff Lonergan: one time.

Paul Comfort:

You can't do everything at one time.

Paul Comfort:

We'd overtax the organization and we wouldn't be able to deliver.

Paul Comfort:

Also, you know, we have to meet the market where it is.

Paul Comfort:

You know, we need contractors if then.

Paul Comfort:

To support U.S. and so we can't kind of pile on Yeah.

Paul Comfort:

Uh, everything, but it is phased intentionally.

Paul Comfort:

So as the projects roll over, we are learning from one, right.

Paul Comfort:

Implementing those lessons learned to the next one and keeping it

Paul Comfort:

moving to the, to the next one.

Paul Comfort:

Okay.

Paul Comfort:

And so, um, the entire program is gonna be delivered over about 15 years.

Paul Comfort:

And what do you think is first coming online?

Paul Comfort:

Coree Cuff Lonergan: So the first one that's gonna come online

Paul Comfort:

is our commuter rail project.

Paul Comfort:

Oh, wow.

Paul Comfort:

That's the first one.

Paul Comfort:

Okay.

Paul Comfort:

And then our bus, rapid transit.

Paul Comfort:

On Oakland Park Boulevard where we were at.

Paul Comfort:

Yeah, we were just there.

Paul Comfort:

Yeah, we were just there.

Paul Comfort:

And then our, our light rail project, which will connect our airport

Paul Comfort:

seaport convention center, which is where we're going right now.

Paul Comfort:

Alright.

Paul Comfort:

That's great.

Paul Comfort:

Well, this is awesome.

Paul Comfort:

I know I've mentioned this, I think I've said it on the show, but I wanna

Paul Comfort:

say it again as we close up, I don't know of any other agency doing this in

Paul Comfort:

America, adding three brand new modes of service, all of one program of projects.

Paul Comfort:

Amazing.

Paul Comfort:

Coree.

Paul Comfort:

Coree Cuff Lonergan: Yeah.

Paul Comfort:

You know, and, and thank you for saying that.

Paul Comfort:

And we're so lucky that the voters in 2018 Yeah.

Paul Comfort:

Voted through their, through.

Paul Comfort:

A majority of voters said, yes, we want to improve mobility here in Broward County,

Paul Comfort:

and we support Transit as that solution.

Paul Comfort:

And we have a nine member commission that is also supporting

Paul Comfort:

that at the policy level.

Paul Comfort:

Yeah.

Paul Comfort:

So we're really lucky to have the situation we have here.

Paul Comfort:

That's

Paul Comfort:

wonderful.

Paul Comfort:

Well, south Florida is blossoming.

Paul Comfort:

You have so much stuff going on here.

Paul Comfort:

You're so well coordinated with your neighbor.

Paul Comfort:

In jurisdictions and their transit services and uh, I love that

Paul Comfort:

you're integrated in with county government because you know, that's

Paul Comfort:

where I got my start and I love working in county government.

Paul Comfort:

I just wish you the best.

Paul Comfort:

You're the right person at the right time to be doing this.

Paul Comfort:

Coree Cuff Lonergan: Well, that means the world.

Paul Comfort:

Hearing that from you, Paul, thank you.

Paul Comfort:

Best of luck.

Paul Comfort:

We look forward to checking back in with you as you progress over the next decade.

Paul Comfort:

Coree Cuff Lonergan: Thank you.

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:

programs that promote the great things going on in the transit industry

Julie Gates:

by providing you with behind the scenes access with industry executive

Julie Gates:

leadership so we can work together to find innovative industry solutions.

Julie Gates:

We would love to have you be a part of the Transit Unplugged community by

Julie Gates:

having you sign up for our newsletter.

Julie Gates:

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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About the Podcast

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

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