Episode 56
This 150-Year-Old “Railway” System Is Betting Big on Compressed Natural Gas
On this episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort sits down with Nancy Purser, Acting Director of the Hamilton Street Railway (HSR). After 15 years with the agency, Nancy now leads one of Ontario’s most historic and ambitious transit systems — one that’s preparing for transformative growth.
Nancy shares how HSR is executing HSR Next: Moving Hamilton Forward, a seven-year network redesign that will expand service by 50%, add new routes and on-demand zones, and better connect residents — especially those in equity-deserving and suburban communities — to jobs, education, and opportunity.
She also discusses HSR’s shift to a 100% CNG fleet by the end of 2026, emerging exploration into renewable natural gas, the city’s newest indoor fueling and storage facility, and what it means to become the greenest transit fleet in Ontario.
Plus, Nancy opens up about her path into transit, the power of customer-focused service, and how dragon boat racing keeps her energized outside of work.
In This Conversation, You’ll Learn:
Why Hamilton chose to preserve the historic HSR name — and why riders love it
How HSR Next will reshape the network, expand frequency, and support suburban growth
What it takes to deliver 50% more transit service over seven years
The environmental and operational impact of going fully CNG
How municipal investment and federal capital programs influence long-term planning
Ridership trends — and how immigration policy and education markets affect demand
The role of equity, access, and job connectivity in modern network redesigns
How community partnerships and strategic planning positioned HSR for its “golden era”
Episode Credits
Host & Producer: Paul Comfort
Executive Producer: Julie Gates
Producer: Chris O’Keeffe
Editor: Patrick Emile
Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin
Consultants: Dan Meisner & Jonas Woost, Bumper
Brand design: Tina Olagundoye
Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova
Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo — passionate about moving the world’s people.
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
How would you like to talk to two CEOs who held the same position back to back?
Speaker:I'm Paul Comfort, and this is Transit Unplugged America and the world's
Speaker:leading podcast where we talk to transit executives to find out what's happening
Speaker:in their operations and we go behind the scenes and show you everything.
Speaker:Today we talk with Nancy Purser in this part two of a two-part series from Canada.
Speaker:Last week we spoke with Maureen Cosyn Heath, who now
Speaker:is CEO of MiWay, Mississauga Ontario's transportation system.
Speaker:Prior to that, she was head of Hamilton Street Railway.
Speaker:Now it's Nancy Purser, who's the acting director.
Speaker:They were both in the same room.
Speaker:I interviewed them one right after the other.
Speaker:Nancy Purser is, has been a member of the staff there at Hamilton Street
Speaker:Railway since 2010, for about 15 years.
Speaker:She joined as the manager of transit support services and quickly became
Speaker:the driving force behind some of the city's most transformative initiatives.
Speaker:From rolling out the Presto Smart Card system to helping craft the 10 year local
Speaker:transit strategy, Nancy has consistently championed innovation and accessibility.
Speaker:And on today's podcast that we recorded live and in person,
Speaker:she tells us all about it.
Speaker:Let's jump into the conversation now with Nancy Purser.
Speaker:Excited to be in Canada today for part two of two powerful women who
Speaker:are leading transit in Ontario.
Speaker:Last week we interviewed Maureen Cosyn Heath, director of transit at MiWay,
Speaker:and if you listened, you recall at the end she said she recently left an
Speaker:agency to take her job there at MiWay.
Speaker:And the agency she left was Hamilton Street Railway.
Speaker:Well, today we have the acting transit director for that agency, Nancy Purser.
Speaker:Nancy, thanks for joining us.
Speaker:Thank you for having me.
Speaker:I'm excited to be here.
Speaker:So tell us a little bit about your agency, Hamilton Street Railway.
Speaker:Most unique to me is it's not a railway anymore.
Speaker:But you kept the name, right?
Speaker:That that is right.
Speaker:Hamilton Street Railway is actually 150 years old.
Speaker:We celebrated our 150th year in 2024.
Speaker:And we did start with rails in the ground, pulling horses, pulling wagons.
Speaker:And we are going back to rails in the ground.
Speaker:Okay.
Speaker:We did go out to look at rebranding at one point and there was a
Speaker:resounding, don't change the name.
Speaker:It resonates with the residents in Hamilton.
Speaker:So we continue to be Hamilton Street Railway.
Speaker:They call you though HSR, right?
Speaker:Yes, they do.
Speaker:Yeah.
Speaker:Yeah, yeah.
Speaker:And you've been there a while?
Speaker:I've been there for 15 years.
Speaker:Okay.
Speaker:And what, what'd you do?
Speaker:What's your background?
Speaker:So, prior to coming to transit was a long, circuitous route.
Speaker:I started in the private sector, manufacturing.
Speaker:Okay.
Speaker:Went through a couple of manufacturing organizations that,
Speaker:you know, you really learn how to be productive, right, to make money.
Speaker:Yeah.
Speaker:Bottom line.
Speaker:It's all about that.
Speaker:And then found the stress of trying to make money on something
Speaker:that's not that important.
Speaker:I needed a change and I found social housing and I saw how much a
Speaker:difference that can make to people's lives and how important that was.
Speaker:And, you know, small groups of individuals.
Speaker:And then I had an opportunity to look at transit.
Speaker:It serves so many more people, it improves the lives of so many more people.
Speaker:And I found my home.
Speaker:I started there as a manager of transit support services, was involved
Speaker:in so many areas, including fare policies, operational training,
Speaker:quality management, budgeting, and also amazed by how complicated
Speaker:it is to put a bus on the road.
Speaker:That's just to me was the catcher.
Speaker:Yeah.
Speaker:It's like, how do you, how do you do that?
Speaker:It looks so easy when it just drives down the street.
Speaker:Yeah.
Speaker:And it's not.
Speaker:And so subsequently after Maureen left, I was appointed acting director.
Speaker:So just where I am today.
Speaker:Congratulations.
Speaker:How, and you've been in this role, what, three or four months?
Speaker:Four months.
Speaker:Four months?
Speaker:Yes.
Speaker:What do you love most about transit.
Speaker:I mean, I love your story and I felt the same way.
Speaker:I would agree.
Speaker:It is truly customer oriented service that is provided.
Speaker:Where we wanna hear the voice of the customer.
Speaker:We wanna know what they want, and provide them the best, safest, most
Speaker:reliable service that we can, because we know how important it is to them.
Speaker:We know they need it to get to school, to get to where
Speaker:Right.
Speaker:To get to their appointment.
Speaker:So that is what excites me about it.
Speaker:And what keeps me there.
Speaker:Yeah.
Speaker:Mobility is life, right?
Speaker:Mm-hmm.
Speaker:It is.
Speaker:I mean, if you're stuck, if you're not moving, you're probably dead.
Speaker:Right.
Speaker:You know, whether it's a plant or a person, whatever.
Speaker:If you're moving, that's life.
Speaker:And so we provide access to all of life's opportunities.
Speaker:Mm-hmm.
Speaker:Yes.
Speaker:It's a great feeling, isn't it?
Speaker:Yes.
Speaker:I have a friend of mine who had a 14, well he's a little older now,
Speaker:but at the time, 14-year-old son who found transit and was just gone.
Speaker:He's like, I know how to get there.
Speaker:I wanna go there.
Speaker:I wanna do this.
Speaker:I don't need you to drive me.
Speaker:Yeah.
Speaker:And just the freedom that he found at 14, which all 14 year olds should try it.
Speaker:Yeah.
Speaker:It's, transit is the safest place and the safest mode of moving about a city.
Speaker:So how big is Hamilton?
Speaker:You know, gimme some of the stuff about where you operate.
Speaker:So you're a part of Ontario, right?
Speaker:You in Ontario?
Speaker:Yes, we are part of, well we call ourselves the greater
Speaker:Hamilton, Toronto-Hamilton area.
Speaker:Okay.
Speaker:So we are at the west end of Lake Ontario.
Speaker:Okay.
Speaker:And in, as part of the golden Horseshoe, which includes Niagara
Speaker:all the way out to bury the escarpment, follow the escarpment.
Speaker:So we have, present about 570,000
Speaker:is our population.
Speaker:Okay.
Speaker:We have a very large rural area, so we only service our urban area,
Speaker:which is about 243 square kilometers.
Speaker:So, pretty big area to cover.
Speaker:We have right now 320 buses.
Speaker:Okay.
Speaker:86% of them are fueled with compressed natural gas.
Speaker:The remainder are diesel, but we'll be through all of them and by the end of
Speaker:2026, so we'll be a hundred percent CNG.
Speaker:Oh, the end of next year?
Speaker:Yes.
Speaker:Wow.
Speaker:100% CNG?
Speaker:Yes.
Speaker:That's awesome.
Speaker:Congratulations.
Speaker:Yes.
Speaker:It'll, it's we will be the greenest fleet in Ontario for sure, by that time.
Speaker:It's very low.
Speaker:Like, it's very, very low.
Speaker:It's particulates or whatever, right?
Speaker:Yes.
Speaker:Yeah.
Speaker:Yeah.
Speaker:And even the production, like from cradle to grave
Speaker:Oh yeah.
Speaker:Green process.
Speaker:Yes.
Speaker:It's still green.
Speaker:That's interesting.
Speaker:Yes.
Speaker:Yeah.
Speaker:So yeah, we have almost a thousand employees that work for, in transit.
Speaker:That's big time.
Speaker:Yeah.
Speaker:About 700 of them are operators.
Speaker:150 are in our maintenance area.
Speaker:And the remainder are our admin, our supervision.
Speaker:Okay.
Speaker:Talk about CNG a little bit more.
Speaker:So is there, is there a lot in the ground here?
Speaker:Is that why you all chose for that?
Speaker:I mean, it's local.
Speaker:You can just pull it up?
Speaker:I don't know that it's here.
Speaker:Okay.
Speaker:But, you have access to it?
Speaker:We have access to it.
Speaker:Hamilton is mostly heated with natural gas.
Speaker:Yeah.
Speaker:Yeah.
Speaker:So, we partnered with Enbridge, who is a natural gas provider.
Speaker:Okay.
Speaker:To help build our stations that actually fuel it.
Speaker:Currently we have an outdoor, it's an outdoor fueling station just
Speaker:because it's compressed natural gas.
Speaker:Right.
Speaker:We are building a second facility right now down in the lower city.
Speaker:We have a mountain in Hamilton.
Speaker:We refer to it affectionately as the mountain.
Speaker:I've been there.
Speaker:I've seen that.
Speaker:Yes.
Speaker:Okay.
Speaker:Yeah.
Speaker:So we have our current facility and the only one we operate is on the
Speaker:mountain with an outdoor fueling station.
Speaker:We are currently building one in the lower city with an indoor fueling station.
Speaker:Wow.
Speaker:The very first one in Ontario, I believe.
Speaker:The second one in Canada.
Speaker:Okay.
Speaker:Yeah.
Speaker:So, our employees that, you know, clean and fuel the buses will be
Speaker:excited that they get to do it inside.
Speaker:Yeah.
Speaker:What about RNG?
Speaker:Are you, are you experimenting with that?
Speaker:RNG is, we've, we did, experiment once already.
Speaker:We had enough brought in to fuel one bus.
Speaker:So that's exciting.
Speaker:We just need to continue to investigate some more.
Speaker:It is more costly.
Speaker:Renew, it's renewed
Speaker:Renewable natural gas.
Speaker:Yeah.
Speaker:So, you know, we're getting the fuel from dumps, right?
Speaker:Where they
Speaker:Oh yeah.
Speaker:The methane gases and all of that.
Speaker:Oh, they burn it off or whatever.
Speaker:It comes out the
Speaker:Yeah.
Speaker:The landfills.
Speaker:Right.
Speaker:And you try and reuse that as gas.
Speaker:Okay.
Speaker:So it's trying to get enough to fuel all of our buses, because it's,
Speaker:that's pretty cool.
Speaker:Yeah, I know.
Speaker:So they capture it as it's coming off, but the
Speaker:mm-hmm.
Speaker:methane or whatever the gas is.
Speaker:Yeah.
Speaker:Yeah.
Speaker:That's a great idea.
Speaker:I know.
Speaker:And so it's, it works out to net zero, right?
Speaker:It's carbon negative, as opposed to electric or any of the
Speaker:others that are carbon neutral.
Speaker:Interesting.
Speaker:Yes.
Speaker:I used to be a county administrator and we ran a landfill and I remember we had
Speaker:flares that would burn it off coming off a landfill, but I've heard about capture
Speaker:mm-hmm.
Speaker:Where they capture it and try to do something with it.
Speaker:That's great.
Speaker:Yes.
Speaker:Wow.
Speaker:So you think you're gonna look into it more?
Speaker:Yes, we are.
Speaker:Hopefully, we'll, I mean with the new facility and going a hundred
Speaker:percent CNG, it's a great opportunity, because the volume will allow
Speaker:us to get it at a better price.
Speaker:Thanks for listening to the Transit Unplugged Podcast.
Speaker:We are so glad you're here.
Speaker:If you're enjoying this show, we know you'll love our other transit industry
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Speaker:Paul Comfort explores the food culture and transit systems around the globe.
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Speaker:You can find out more at transitunplugged.com Now back to
Speaker:Paul Comfort for this edition of the award-winning Transit Unplugged podcast.
Speaker:Let's talk about ridership.
Speaker:I think Maureen and I talked about it last week on the previous podcast and how, you
Speaker:know, ridership patterns have changed.
Speaker:Ridership has generally gone down.
Speaker:Some cities are back up to what they were at in 2019, but some aren't.
Speaker:And you know, a lot of people are saying, is that really the main
Speaker:metric we should be looking at?
Speaker:But one thing that a lot of transit systems are looking at, it sounds like
Speaker:you all are too, is a network redesign.
Speaker:So ridership patterns have changed and a lot of transit agencies
Speaker:are still running the same bus routes they ran five years ago.
Speaker:Are you changing that?
Speaker:Yes, we are.
Speaker:We just, recently got approval from our council to implement what is called
HSR Next:Moving Hamilton Forward.
HSR Next:It's been years of work to reshape our network.
HSR Next:We worked with McMaster University on some technical support.
HSR Next:We had 27,000 customer touch points to help ensure that we
HSR Next:designed it to their requirements.
HSR Next:Okay.
HSR Next:And we will be implementing it over the next seven years.
HSR Next:This,
HSR Next:Oh, it's a slow burn or whatever.
HSR Next:Yeah, it's an additional 50% in service.
HSR Next:You're adding more service?
HSR Next:Yes.
HSR Next:50%?
HSR Next:50% more service.
HSR Next:Holy moley!
HSR Next:Yes.
HSR Next:So,
HSR Next:Wow.
HSR Next:Transit in Hamilton is gonna grow substantially.
HSR Next:It's another 450 FTE
HSR Next:Wow.
HSR Next:That we're gonna be adding.
HSR Next:We gotta dig into this now.
HSR Next:Yes.
HSR Next:Yes, so it is, it's a substantial change.
HSR Next:We currently, we have 34 routes and one on demand route.
HSR Next:We'll have 41 routes and six on demand routes We're looking at, again Hamilton
HSR Next:is an amalgamation of many communities.
HSR Next:Okay.
HSR Next:And historically, the outlying communities did not receive good
HSR Next:transit, and so that's where most of the investment is going.
HSR Next:Ah, out to the suburbs.
HSR Next:Out to the suburbs,
HSR Next:Okay.
HSR Next:Which is where people have moved to, that's where our growth
HSR Next:has, we've seen the growth.
HSR Next:Yeah, of course.
HSR Next:Yeah.
HSR Next:We've added business parks though, out in those areas.
HSR Next:Okay.
HSR Next:And so once this grows, we will have a network that will give anyone
HSR Next:access to jobs within 45 minutes.
HSR Next:Very nice.
HSR Next:So's very,
HSR Next:Is that like a goal you were trying to do to re
HSR Next:Yes, and it's, you know, equity deserving areas, right?
HSR Next:The focus is there to make sure that they have transit that will allow
HSR Next:them to be competitive, to be in the market for all kinds of jobs.
HSR Next:So you're gonna roll it out over seven years?
HSR Next:Yes.
HSR Next:Like you've got, we're gonna go to this neighborhood next year,
HSR Next:in the neighborhood the next year.
HSR Next:It's a combination
HSR Next:Okay.
HSR Next:Of we'll do one or two neighborhoods, and also changing
HSR Next:the main routing at the same time.
HSR Next:I was gonna ask you about that.
HSR Next:Yes.
HSR Next:Okay.
HSR Next:Yes.
HSR Next:So that some of it will orient.
HSR Next:We had a typical hub and spoke, so everything went to our downtown core
HSR Next:and then came back up and went out.
HSR Next:So now we're gonna have a hub to hub system, so people will
HSR Next:be able to get to places faster.
HSR Next:Ah, I love that.
HSR Next:Suburb to suburb.
HSR Next:Yeah.
HSR Next:So you don't have to go downtown and come back out in the V.
HSR Next:Right.
HSR Next:Dude, that's awesome.
HSR Next:I love that.
HSR Next:Yeah.
HSR Next:Yeah.
HSR Next:So
HSR Next:I hope you can make that stick.
HSR Next:Sometimes when they come back later, they're like, eh, but that's important.
HSR Next:Yeah.
HSR Next:So our focus is on the network as designed, and we're
HSR Next:going to try not to deviate.
HSR Next:Yeah.
HSR Next:More power to you.
HSR Next:Yeah.
HSR Next:If you're gonna,
HSR Next:so the amount of subsidy from the city is gonna have to go up
HSR Next:a little bit each year, right?
HSR Next:Yes.
HSR Next:It is not just,
HSR Next:What's your budget now, do you know?
HSR Next:Not just a little bit.
HSR Next:It's about 127 million.
HSR Next:Okay.
HSR Next:Gross.
HSR Next:Yeah.
HSR Next:Yeah.
HSR Next:Interesting.
HSR Next:So that's really interesting.
HSR Next:So you have a big planning department that's been working on this with outside
HSR Next:consultants and all that kind of stuff.
HSR Next:So we don't have a big planning department.
HSR Next:Okay.
HSR Next:But we have a very good planning department.
HSR Next:That's good.
HSR Next:We did get consultants to help support how to implement in which
HSR Next:order do we, you know, change the network and add the service.
HSR Next:Yeah.
HSR Next:So we had them kind of lead whole team where we got many other
HSR Next:people, sections of the city to also participate public health planning our
HSR Next:transportation area so that everyone can see what's happening, and also
HSR Next:help direct when changes would happen.
HSR Next:So is the plan done now?
HSR Next:The plan is done.
HSR Next:Okay.
HSR Next:Approved?
HSR Next:It's approved.
HSR Next:Boom.
HSR Next:All we gotta to do now is make it happen.
HSR Next:Wow.
HSR Next:Yeah.
HSR Next:That's cool.
HSR Next:Yes, its very, very exciting.
HSR Next:I don't know anyone who's increasing bus service by 50%.
HSR Next:No.
HSR Next:That is something,
HSR Next:We just finished a 10 year local transit strategy, so we've
HSR Next:already had eight years of growth.
HSR Next:We're kind of wrapping up the 10 year
HSR Next:Okay.
HSR Next:and rolling into this new one.
HSR Next:So the City of Hamilton hasn't been investing in transit since 2015.
HSR Next:So, including through the pandemic, they continue to invest.
HSR Next:So We are set in a really good place.
HSR Next:Our council understands how important transit is to building the community.
HSR Next:Yes.
HSR Next:To building the city of Hamilton.
HSR Next:And they can see that this network will actually transform it.
HSR Next:I'm sure Maureen was super involved in that.
HSR Next:She was.
HSR Next:Yeah.
HSR Next:Oh, yes, she was.
HSR Next:How long was that process,
HSR Next:like putting this plan together?
HSR Next:So we started to do the network design in 2018.
HSR Next:Oh,
HSR Next:and then the delays, right.
HSR Next:The pandemic and all that.
HSR Next:And then, the net we had it finalized.
HSR Next:Maureen came on board and you know, we worked really hard to create growth plan.
HSR Next:So we had the 10 year strategy, we had this network redesign.
HSR Next:Yeah.
HSR Next:You know, we need to, we can't keep going on two separate angles.
HSR Next:Right.
HSR Next:So, you know, put them together
HSR Next:Yeah.
HSR Next:as a growth plan.
HSR Next:And then HSR next.
HSR Next:How are you doing ridership wise, as compared to, I hate to say it, but
HSR Next:two, let's just say the year 2019.
HSR Next:Yeah.
HSR Next:So we had recovered pretty well by 2024.
HSR Next:Okay.
HSR Next:We are seeing some slight reductions right now.
HSR Next:The government of Canada made some changes to immigration, and our colleges
HSR Next:relied heavily on international students.
HSR Next:And we rely heavily on our colleges to fill our buses.
HSR Next:Mm.
HSR Next:So we've been, and I think it's, throughout Ontario, I've seen
HSR Next:it that there's been reductions in riderships this year.
HSR Next:And, from our perspective, Hamilton's perspective, it is truly because
HSR Next:of the changes in immigration.
HSR Next:Stuff that you can't control.
HSR Next:We can't control that.
HSR Next:Yeah.
HSR Next:So we are still focused on growing and going after other markets.
HSR Next:So our, we're looking at commuters.
HSR Next:We're trying to get to the youth because they are the riders of the future.
HSR Next:Sp we haven't lost substantial ground.
HSR Next:But it's a real, it's starting to become a struggle.
HSR Next:Yeah.
HSR Next:Yeah.
HSR Next:I'll be going up to the CUTA conference in Montreal, and I just saw that the
HSR Next:government of, the federal government has been giving, they have a new program
HSR Next:where they've, last couple years they've been giving, I think it's $3 billion,
HSR Next:something like that, nationwide.
HSR Next:Do you all get some of that money and is that helping you?
HSR Next:A new program has been announced, which is the Canada Public Transit Fund.
HSR Next:Yes.
HSR Next:And there's baseline funding.
HSR Next:So every transit agency has been pretty much guaranteed money for
HSR Next:the next 10 years, to support
HSR Next:Is that operating dollars?
HSR Next:It's capital dollars.
HSR Next:Our federal government only supports from a capital,
HSR Next:That's what I thought,
HSR Next:perspective.
HSR Next:But during the pandemic, they helped a little bit in operating, right?
HSR Next:They, if you matched it with provincial new dollars?
HSR Next:um.
HSR Next:No,
HSR Next:Not really?
HSR Next:No.
HSR Next:It was the province who
HSR Next:probably stepped up
HSR Next:that really stepped up.
HSR Next:Okay.
HSR Next:But this is new capital dollars, which will be helpful for you, right?
HSR Next:Yes, yes.
HSR Next:So it's permanent funding and it's gonna help us fund our replacement buses.
HSR Next:'cause we know we have that expenditure every year.
HSR Next:Yeah.
HSR Next:We have to, you know,
HSR Next:Like how many buses are you getting a year normally?
HSR Next:So it depends.
HSR Next:This year, we're gonna be placing an order for 18 articulated new articulated buses.
HSR Next:Oh, new artics.
HSR Next:Okay.
HSR Next:That's good.
HSR Next:And those are replacement.
HSR Next:And then we have another order for new fleet to service HSR Next.
HSR Next:Okay.
HSR Next:So that's another 18 or so articulated buses, and then some small buses
HSR Next:to help with the on demand.
HSR Next:Gotcha.
HSR Next:We've got you and I and Maureen and Michael Coote from Nova are gonna
HSR Next:be on a panel later today here at this Vontas Canada Users Forum.
HSR Next:And I'm sure the bus manufacturers love you if you, if you're expanding the fleet.
HSR Next:Huh.
HSR Next:That's amazing.
HSR Next:Yeah.
HSR Next:Yeah, it is, it is wonderful.
HSR Next:We're hoping that we get the order in, but the buses don't start to arrive until
HSR Next:after we've opened our second garage.
HSR Next:Oh yeah.
HSR Next:When will you be trying to do that, do you know?
HSR Next:Um, so we are at about 90% completion.
HSR Next:Okay.
HSR Next:Now, if the second facility, it's designed so that we can
HSR Next:maintain 300 buses, it's a very,
HSR Next:'cause it's for the expansion?
HSR Next:Yes.
HSR Next:Okay.
HSR Next:It's a very, very large Facility.
HSR Next:We currently will be able to store 200 buses, but we'll be able to expand to 300.
HSR Next:And they'll all be stored indoors?
HSR Next:They will all be stored indoors.
HSR Next:That's great.
HSR Next:Yes.
HSR Next:Especially the weather up here gets cold winters.
HSR Next:Yeah.
HSR Next:Yes, it does.
HSR Next:So once that new garage is open, it does allow us to move ahead with all of
HSR Next:our additional buses and with HSR next.
HSR Next:That's great.
HSR Next:So, all right.
HSR Next:Let's dive into you, personal life.
HSR Next:What do you wanna tell me about your personal life?
HSR Next:Personal life.
HSR Next:What do I have?
HSR Next:I have
HSR Next:Do you have a personal life now?
HSR Next:I do.
HSR Next:Yeah.
HSR Next:You've got this new gig as head of it.
HSR Next:I know it kind of consumes you, doesn't it?
HSR Next:I have a daughter who we are currently planning her wedding.
HSR Next:Oh, congratulations.
HSR Next:So, yes, she will be getting married next August.
HSR Next:And so that's very exciting.
HSR Next:And you know, 'cause she's outta the house.
HSR Next:It's me.
HSR Next:I have all these other interests that I get to do.
HSR Next:So I've started dragon Boat Racing.
HSR Next:What is it?
HSR Next:Dragon Boat Racing.
HSR Next:What is that?
HSR Next:I've never heard of that.
HSR Next:It's, it is addictive.
HSR Next:Really?
HSR Next:Yeah.
HSR Next:So you're in a big, long boat.
HSR Next:There's 20 paddlers in the boat.
HSR Next:And you have a steers person and you have a drummer and
HSR Next:Oh, wow.
HSR Next:Yeah, and they're 250 meter races.
HSR Next:500 meters.
HSR Next:Is like crew, what we call in America, where you people are.
HSR Next:The Naval Academy has, I always see them out in Chesapeake Bay.
HSR Next:So it's not, it's similar.
HSR Next:Okay.
HSR Next:But not exactly the same.
HSR Next:Right.
HSR Next:You paddle one side, like they're, you're, you have a paddle partner and you
HSR Next:Okay.
HSR Next:Yeah.
HSR Next:It's a lot of fun.
HSR Next:You're out there doing that?
HSR Next:Oh yeah.
HSR Next:Wow.
HSR Next:It's a lot of fun.
HSR Next:When do you do it?
HSR Next:Like in the mornings or
HSR Next:-? No, in the evening.
HSR Next:Okay.
HSR Next:After.
HSR Next:Right now, we get out there and we get to watch the sunset on the bay.
HSR Next:Beautiful.
HSR Next:It's beautiful.
HSR Next:Yeah.
HSR Next:And then we paddle in the dark.
HSR Next:That's great exercise too, isn't it?
HSR Next:Yeah, it is.
HSR Next:Wow.
HSR Next:It's amazing.
HSR Next:What a neat hobby.
HSR Next:Yeah, yeah, yeah.
HSR Next:Having a lot of fun with that.
HSR Next:I betcha.
HSR Next:Mm-hmm.
HSR Next:And so somebody's booming on the drums back there, like to keep everybody in at
HSR Next:the front.
HSR Next:Yeah, they're at the front of boat.
HSR Next:Okay.
HSR Next:Yeah.
HSR Next:To keep their, everyone at the same pace.
HSR Next:What kind of music do you listen to?
HSR Next:What do you like?
HSR Next:Oh, again, I listen to everything.
HSR Next:Yeah.
HSR Next:I do listen to everything.
HSR Next:My daughter is a musician, so
HSR Next:Okay.
HSR Next:she's always playing music and it's like, oh, I like that.
HSR Next:Oh, I like
HSR Next:Keeps you young.. Yeah.
HSR Next:And, but I do like jazz.
HSR Next:Do you?
HSR Next:I do like jazz.
HSR Next:Yes.
HSR Next:Yeah, I do too.
HSR Next:Yeah.
HSR Next:Yeah.
HSR Next:That's great.
HSR Next:It's, so I have a lot of that on my playlist.
HSR Next:Read any good books lately?
HSR Next:So I am a Stephen King fan.
HSR Next:Okay.
HSR Next:Mm-hmm.
HSR Next:So I've read all of his books.
HSR Next:I'm currently working on his new one.. And, enjoying every page.
HSR Next:Well, this has been great getting to know you, Nancy.
HSR Next:Yeah.
HSR Next:It's been wonderful.
HSR Next:I wish you the best.
HSR Next:It's an amazing system.
HSR Next:150 years old.
HSR Next:Mm-hmm.
HSR Next:Going all CNG.
HSR Next:Building a new bus barn, expanding your service by 50%.
HSR Next:I mean, you're in the golden era, man.
HSR Next:This is awesome.
HSR Next:This is life.
HSR Next:This is great, right?
HSR Next:Congratulations.
HSR Next:Thanks for being on the show today.
HSR Next:Thank you.
HSR Next:Thank you for listening to this episode of Transit Unplugged, the world's
HSR Next:number one transit executive podcast.
HSR Next:I'm Julie Gates, executive producer of the podcast.
HSR Next:Many thanks to the team that makes this show happen.
HSR Next:Host and producer Paul Comfort, producer Chris O'Keeffe, editor
HSR Next:Patrick Emile, associate producer Cyndi Raskin, and consultants Dan Meisner
HSR Next:and Jonas Woos at Bumper Transit.
HSR Next:Transit Unplugged is being brought to you by Modaxo.
HSR Next:Passionate about moving the world's people.
HSR Next:If you would enjoy behind the scenes insights and updates from the show sign
HSR Next:up for our weekly newsletter, which has links to can't-miss conversations
HSR Next:with the biggest names in mobility.
HSR Next:Head to transitunplugged.com and scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up.
HSR Next:Thanks for listening, and we'll catch you on the next episode of Transit Unplugged.
