Planning for Savannah’s Expanded Transit Future with Faye DiMassimo

29-05-2024 • 29 mins

This week Paul chats with Faye DiMassimo, CEO and Executive Director of Chatham Area Transit Authority (CAT) in Savannah, and soon to be Chief of Planning and Economic Development for the City of Savannah. Paul and Faye discuss the recent APTA Public Transit CEO Conference, Faye's career path (including recent promotion), and the innovations at CAT, including hybrid ferries, an electric microtransit pilot, and their long-term fiscal plan.

They get into how CAT is preparing for the fiscal cliff as COVID federal relief runs out and challenges getting grants based on local matches. Faye reflects on how transit CEOs support each other in good times, and bad. Paul and Faye close with a special coda about new role in the City of Savannah, continuing her mission to improve public mobility for everyone in Savannah. The episode highlights the importance of community, equity, and sustainability in public transit.

Next week we have repeat guest Dave Reage giving Paul a tour of Halifax by land and sea!

Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com

Host: Paul Comfort
Producer: Paul Comfort
Editor and Writer: Tris Hussey
Executive Producer: Julie Gates

Special thanks to:

Brand design: Tina Olagundoye
Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova
Marketing content, Transit Unplugged Newsletter, & transit puns: Tris Hussey

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

00:05 Welcome to Transit Unplugged

01:10 Interview with Faye DiMassimo

01:56 Hosting the APTA CEO Summit in Savannah

02:34 Challenges and Opportunities for Transit CEOs

06:46 The Evolution of Faye's Career in Transit

09:35 Inside Savannah's Transit System: CAT

13:38 Savannah's Charm and History

15:55 Innovations in Transit: Electric Microtransit and More

17:41 Master Planning for the Future of Transit in Savannah

19:48 Preparing for the Fiscal Cliff and Closing Thoughts

24:56 Update to this interview

28:04 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged

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