What does 2026 look like for small urban and rural transit agencies across America—and what happens when costs rise faster than funding can keep up?

In this episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort is joined by Julie Brown, General Manager of Rogue Valley Transportation District (RVTD) in southern Oregon, President of the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA), and Chair of the Oregon Transportation Commission.

Julie pulls back the curtain on the real, day-to-day pressures facing agencies like hers—from funding uncertainty at the state level to escalating labor and vehicle costs, rising insurance rates, and the growing cybersecurity risks that come with modern transit tech.

She also challenges the industry to move beyond ridership as the defining success metric, and instead tell a more human story about what transit actually makes possible: access to work, healthcare, independence, and quality of life—especially as the “silver tsunami” reshapes mobility needs nationwide.

Key topics include:

Why RVTD expanded from 10 routes to 16—and why they had to cut back to 6 routes
The real-world impact of layoffs and service reductions
The exploding cost of vehicle replacement (and what sustainability requirements mean on the ground)
Insurance increases hitting agencies and contractors alike
Cybersecurity threats tied to fare systems and onboard technology
What CTAA is tracking in Washington as reauthorization conversations continue
Why the future of transit must be measured in human outcomes, not just raw numbers

If you care about how transit actually survives—and evolves—outside of the biggest metro systems, this conversation is essential listening.

Host + Producer: Paul Comfort Executive Producer: Julie Gates Producer: Chris O'Keeffe 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 📩 Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter: https://transitunplugged.com/subscrib 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, its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent. This production belongs to Modaxo and may contain information subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights. This content is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Modaxo disclaims all warranties and liability arising from the use of this material.

Funding, Labor, and Survival: Julie Brown on Transit in 2026

Transit Unplugged

Funding, Labor, and Survival: Julie Brown on Transit in 2026