Canada is investing hundreds of billions of dollars in new transit and passenger rail projects—but until now, there’s been no unified national standards framework to guide how those systems are designed and built.

In this episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort sits down with Ana-Maria Tomlinson, Director of Strategic and Cross-Sector Programs at CSA Group (Canadian Standards Association), to explore how Canada is working to change that.

Ana-Maria shares how CSA Group—Canada’s national standards organization—is developing a four-part national code for transit and passenger rail systems, covering everything from urban transit and conventional rail to future high-speed rail projects. The goal: reduce risk, improve consistency, and bring greater predictability to some of the most complex infrastructure projects in the country.

The conversation explores:

• Why Canada lacks a unified transit and rail standards framework today
• How other regions (Europe, Australia, Japan, and the U.S.) approach rail standards
• The difference between voluntary standards and regulation—and how standards often become codified
• How CSA plans to integrate existing international standards while addressing major gaps
• What transit agencies, consultants, contractors, and governments can expect next
• How industry professionals can get involved in shaping the code
• A brief update on Canada’s emerging high-speed rail ambitions, including the Toronto–Québec City corridor

This is a rare look behind the scenes at how the “rules of the road” for transit systems are created—and why they matter long before the first train ever runs.

Host: Paul Comfort

Executive Producer: Julie Gates

Producer: Paul Comfort

Editor: Patrick Emile

Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin

Brand design: Tina Olagundoye

Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova

If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com.

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In this week’s episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort sits down with Jay Fox, Executive Director of the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) — one of the fastest-growing, highest-performing transit agencies in the United States and APTA’s 2025 Transit System of the Year.

Jay brings a remarkable background across FAA, FTA, Amtrak, and SEPTA — and now leads the agency serving one of the most dynamic, youthful, and transit-hungry regions in America.

Together, Paul and Jay dive into:

Preparing for the 2034 Winter Olympics

Jay shares why UTA told the IOC: “We’re ready now.”

UTA’s rail, BRT corridors, FrontRunner upgrades, and multimodal network already form a complete backbone for Olympic mobility — with more enhancements on the way.

FrontRunner 2X: The Generational Rail Project

UTA is pushing to move from 25% to 50% double-tracking, enabling:

-15-minute peak service

-A new infill station

-A new maintenance facility

-Pathways to Sunday service

…all while ridership continues to soar.

A Multimodal System Built for Growth

UTA operates:

-131 miles of rail (commuter, light rail, streetcar)

-Three BRT lines (including OGX, electric and wildly successful)

-Extensive bus, microtransit, vanpool, and paratransit services

-A booming Ski Bus network that keeps the canyons moving

Transit ROI: The Utah Model

Jay breaks down the hard numbers on economic impact:

-$9.6B in economic output generated

-$377M in tax revenue returned

-79,000 jobs supported

-Ever $1 invested netted a $5.11 returned to the regional economy

All from an operating budget of roughly $480M.

Why UTA’s Riders Are Getting Younger

Jay explains how university partnerships, free-fare programs, and campus connectivity are transforming ridership patterns — and why student riders today become lifelong riders tomorrow.

Global Collaboration

UTA is working with LA Metro, LA28, and Milan/Cortina teams to prepare for back-to-back Olympic cycles (2026, 2028, 2034), exchanging insights on operations, vehicle staging, and major-event transport logistics.

This is one of the most wide-ranging, energizing episodes we’ve recorded — and a perfect companion to our upcoming Transit Unplugged TV episode filmed on location in Utah.

Host: Paul Comfort

Executive Producer: Julie Gates

Producer: Paul Comfort

Editor: Patrick Emile

Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin

Brand design: Tina Olagundoye

Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova

If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com.

Follow us on social media:

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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

Paul Comfort sits down with Martin Ritter, CEO of Stadler U.S., one of the most innovative and fastest-growing train manufacturers in North America. From a modest foothold in the early 2000s to a nearly 600,000 sq. ft. factory in Utah, Stadler is reshaping how America thinks about rolling stock — and redefining what’s possible in U.S.-based manufacturing.

In this conversation, Martin pulls back the curtain on:

• How Stadler grew from an 18-person Swiss workshop to a 17,500-person global rail powerhouse
• Why agencies love their FLIRT multiple-unit trains — and how distributed propulsion changes the game
• Hydrogen, battery-electric, and ultra-efficient diesel-electric: the real story behind next-gen rail propulsion
• How Stadler achieved FRA compliance while keeping trains lighter, quieter, and more efficient
• The company’s youth apprenticeship program, modeled after Switzerland’s world-renowned system
• What it means for Stadler U.S. to become a standalone division
• The milestone ahead: delivering trains for the 2034 Salt Lake Olympic Games

This episode is a rare, behind-the-scenes look at one of the most talked-about rail manufacturers in the United States — and a preview of what Paul and the crew will capture during our upcoming visit to the Utah factory for Transit Unplugged TV.

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.