Wheel Talk: Navigating the Future of Bay Area Transit
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!
Wheel Talk: Navigating the Future of Bay Area Transit
Hop Off Here: Biking and transit, SamTrans 50th celebrations, and Bay Area Pride season
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
We want to hear from you! Send us a note.
☀️ Hop Off Here — Summer 2026 Edition
Summer is here, and there's no better time to explore the Bay Area by transit. In this episode of Hop Off Here, we discover how buses, trains, bikes and ferries can help you experience some of the region's best destinations and biggest celebrations—without the hassle of driving.
🚲 Bike + Transit Adventures
Randol speaks with Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition Executive Director Clarrissa Cabansagan to talk about why bikes and transit are the perfect combination. Learn how transit can expand your riding adventures, discover favorite Peninsula routes, and hear about the Silicon Valley Bike Summit.
Learn more about the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition:
https://bikesiliconvalley.org/
🌈 Pride by Transit
Next, Randol welcomes Jamie Vizmanos, Digital Communications Specialist for SamTrans, and Jason Dayvault, Business Operations Project Manager for Caltrain, to discuss Pride celebrations happening across the Bay Area—and how transit makes it easy to experience them.
This year's conversation includes:
- The first-ever regional transit collaboration at the San Francisco Pride Parade
- Caltrain's Pride celebration at San Francisco Station
- SamTrans' Pride-themed bus
- Easy transit connections to Pride events throughout the region
Pride celebrations featured in this episode:
- San Francisco Pride — June 27–28
- Oakland Pride — Sunday, Aug. 16
- Silicon Valley Pride (San Jose) — Aug. 29–30
- Russian River Pride (Guerneville) — Saturday, Sept. 19
🚌 SamTrans Turns 50
Finally, Randol talks with Tasha Bartholomew, Director of Communications for the San Mateo County Transit District about the agency's 50th anniversary celebration.
Learn about:
- Free rides on all SamTrans services on Wednesday, July 1, including fixed-route buses, Ride Plus, Redi-Wheels and RediCoast
- The SamTrans 50th Anniversary Community Celebration on Saturday, Sept. 26, at the new SamTrans headquarters adjacent to the Millbrae Transit Center—easy to reach by SamTrans, Caltrain and BART.
Learn more about SamTrans' 50th Anniversary:
https://www.samtrans.com/50
💬 We'd love to hear from you!
Have a favorite transit-friendly destination, hidden gem, bike ride, festival or question about exploring the Bay Area without a car?
Send us your ideas using the contact information in our show notes—you might hear your suggestion featured on a future episode of Hop Off Here.
Thanks for riding with us!
