Wheel Talk

About Wheel Talk

Join Dan Lieberman and Randol White as they explore how transit agencies are working to solve public transportation challenges, improve the rider experience, and build a more connected future.. Each Wheel Talk episode features insightful conversations about navigating travel — whether on foot, by bicycle, SamTrans bus, Caltrain commuter rail, or car. Listen to in-depth interviews with transit experts, agency leaders, planners, and community advocates who share transparent insights into the challenges and opportunities shaping Bay Area mobility. Also, seasonally, check out Hop Off Here — Wheel Talk’s special series on food, festivals, and fun. From taco trucks to music festivals, we’ll help you discover the flavors, celebrations, and hidden delights waiting just beyond your stop. Think of it as your rider’s guide to making the journey as enjoyable as the destination. Whether you’re a daily transit rider, transportation planner, or interested in sustainable, inclusive transportation solutions, Wheel Talk delivers strategic perspectives on the public transit systems that keep the Bay Area connected and moving forward. Subscribe to Wheel Talk to stay informed about the latest developments in Bay Area public transit and regional transportation planning. And don't forget to rate us on your favorite streaming device!

Publisher

San Mateo County Transit District

Category

government · society & culture · technology

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

17 Sept 2019

Latest episode

27 Jun 2026

Latest episodes

5 of 14 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   27 Jun 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Hop Off Here: Biking and transit, SamTrans 50th celebrations, and Bay Area Pride season

   Host Randol explores biking and transit integration with Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition Executive Director Clarrissa Cabansagan, highlighting Bay Area Pride season and SamTrans' 50th.

2. 

   24 Apr 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Hop Off Here: Spring hiking by transit, SamTrans getaways, and Caltrain's Destination Downtown

   Host Evan Tschuy explores accessible spring hiking destinations reachable by Bay Area transit, offering a car-free adventure guide.

3. 

   20 Feb 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Untangling the 101/92 interchange and what it means for the Peninsula

   Send a text Wheel Talk Podcast Guests (in order of appearance): Jeneane Crawford, Caltrans Distric 4 PIO for San Mateo CountyUS 101 / SR 92 Interchange Short Term Area Improvements ProjectCaltrans QuickmapJessica Manzi, San Mateo County Transportation Authority (TA) Director of Project DeliveryUS 101 / SR 92 Interchange Direct Connector Project Max Mautner, Car-free San Mateo resident19th Avenue and Fashion Island Boulevard Multimodal Improvements Project Episode overview Th...

4. 

   29 Oct 2025TRANSCRIPT

   Hop Off Here: A Unique Coastal Park, Mexican Traditions, Veterans Day Parades, Holiday Shopping

   Send us a text Send us an email Hop Off Here: Your ticket to exploring the Bay Area. Exploring Outdoors Our first stop is on the Coastside to explore Quarry Park in El Granada near Half Moon Bay. This San Mateo County Parks gem offers trails and coastal views. Best of all, SamTrans Ride Plus can take you there with free transfers from routes 117 and 294. Ranger Tommy Hart shares his insights for exploring this activity-packed destination. Sports & Concerts November is packed with games an...

5. 

   29 Aug 2025TRANSCRIPT

   Reimagining a Bay Area highway for the future

   Send us a text Wheel Talk Podcast Guests (in order of appearance): Cassie Halls, SamTrans Major Corridors Manager Patrick Gilster, San Mateo County Transportation Authority (TA) Director of Planning and Fund Management Megan Wooley-Ousdahl, South San Francisco Deputy City Manager Jacob (Jake) Buffenbarger, Caltrans System Planning Branch Chief: Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo Counties Mitch Postel, San Mateo County Historical Association President The Gran...

6. 

   5 Aug 2025

   The Big Sync: Making Bay Area transit transfers seamless

   Wheel Talk Guests (in order of appearance): Andy Metz, AC Transit Regional Plans Principal Planner Millie Tolleson, SamTrans Director of Planning Ted Burgwyn, Caltrain Director of Rail Network and Operations Planning Adina Levin, Seamless Bay Area Executive Director The Big Sync: How SamTrans Is Teaming Up to Improve Transit Transfers on the Peninsula SamTrans is partnering with other Bay Area transit agencies to better align bus and rail schedules at major hub...

7. 

   18 Feb 2025

   Learn why hydrogen power is the next big tool for public transit

   The first hydrogen fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs) to serve public transit customers along the peninsula are now in service, with many more on the way in the weeks, months and years to come. The San Mateo County Transit District, or SamTrans, recently placed an order for 108 additional hydrogen busses, marking the largest order of its kind in North America to date. The move toward hydrogen at Sam trans is symbolic of a major shift in the public transportation industry. But why hy...

8. 

   19 Mar 2020

   Episode 7: Transit-Oriented Development

   SamTrans' Director of Real Estate and Property Development, Brian Fitzpatrick, offers insight into the District's land use over the years along with Caltrain's new transit-oriented development policy (or as we loving call it, "Tod") and what it means for the agency's future.

9. 

   19 Feb 2020

   Episode 6: The Life Cycle of a SamTrans Bus

   SamTrans Director of Bus Maintenance Dave Harbour explains what it takes to be a SamTrans bus. We talk about buying new buses and retiring the old, Wi-Fi implementation, the future of SamTrans' electrified fleet and what it takes to keep over 300 buses in working order.

10. 

    15 Jan 2020

    Episode 5: Caltrain Maintenance 101 (Part 2)

    We continue our conversation about Caltrain's maintenance operations and future improvements coming with electrification from a high level perspective with Chief Operating Officer, Michelle Bouchard.

11. 

    18 Dec 2019

    Episode 4: Caltrain Maintenance 101 (Part 1)

    Get the scoop on Caltrain’s day-to-day maintenance operations. With electrified service on the horizon and the ever-present challenges of an aging fleet, this month's episode offers insight into the behind-the-scenes work that keeps our trains moving, the state of the railroad and the exciting future ahead with new electric trains.

12. 

    13 Nov 2019

    Episode 3: Route FCX and the Future of Express Bus

    SamTrans Director of Planning, Christy Wegener, talks about the agency's recently launched Express Bus Route FCX operating between Foster City and San Francisco. We dive into the US-101 Express Bus Feasibility Study, what we're learning about the new route and travel patterns, as well as the future of express bus service in San Mateo County.

13. 

    16 Oct 2019

    Episode 2: How Measure W Drives Better Transportation

    SamTrans Board Director Peter Ratto talks about the impact of Measure W, a voter-approved San Mateo County 1/2 cent transportation sales tax that passed in November, 2018 and went into effect July 1, 2019.

14. 

    17 Sept 2019

    Episode 1: Improving Safety on Caltrain Tracks

    We kick off this series with a focus on rail safety and infrastructure. Rob Scarpino, Caltrain's Deputy Director of Rail Infrastructure, talks about the agency's efforts to improve its crossings to keep people safe. Nancy Sheehan of California's Operation Lifesaver closes the hour with a conversation around rail safety awareness. Join us for some Wheel Talk!

Inside a recent episode

Hop Off Here: Biking and transit, SamTrans 50th celebrations, and Bay Area Pride season

Published 27 Jun 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] And what I found in especially this role and as a former transit advocate with Transform is that overlap of people who don't have a car are often relying on alternative modes. Transit and biking, transit, scootering. And people who are able to connect to transit via a bike or a scooter can reach even more destinations because transit often has that last mile gap. So when I think about people who drive, they're going from point A to point B. Often people who take transit can get to point B using that bike or that scooter or even walking at the end of a trip. So for the most part, people who take transit are at some point pedestrians. […]

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

11 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 26 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

20

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

81

Contact Wheel Talk

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.