From 0 to 200: Jeremi Bumpus on Building 207 New Bus Stops with Tech and Tenacity

What happens when a millennial with a higher ed background takes the wheel of a legacy transit agency? You get 207 new bus stops, a real-time tracking app, and a fresh vision for Western Kentucky mobility.   In this episode of Transit Unplugged Podcast, Paul Comfort talks with Jeremi Bumpus, Executive Director of Paducah Transit Authority, about leading change in a small but mighty system. Jeremi shares how he transitioned from higher education into transit, what it means for Paducah to move from rural to small urban funding, and how he and his team replaced an outdated “wave your hand” bus system with a structured, tech-enabled network. Topics include:Modernizing a hail-based system with 207 fixed bus stopsLaunching a real-time rider app and 24/7 info kioskBalancing new technology with legacy organization cultureNavigating the shift from state funding to FTA direct funding If you’re into small agency innovation, smart leadership, or just want to know what goes into transforming transit at the ground level—this one’s a must-listen.   Credits:   Host & Producer: Paul Comfort  Podcast Manager & Newsletter Guy: Chris O'Keeffe  Executive Producer: Julie Gates Special thanks to:    Brand Design: Tina Olagundoye  Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova    Got a question or comment? Email us at info@transitunplugged.com   Subscribe to the Transit Unplugged Newsletter: transitunplugged.com/subscribe-to-the-transit-unplugged-newsletter    Follow us on social media:   / transit-unplugged   https://x.com/transitunplug https://www.threads.net/@transitunplu...<a...