Taking The RIDE: How Michele Stiehler is Elevating Paratransit at MBTA

Michele Stiehler knows paratransit inside and out. After 35 years at New Jersey Transit, she brought her deep operational experience to Boston’s MBTA, where she now oversees one of the largest and most complex paratransit systems in the country.   In this episode, Paul Comfort talks with Michele about her leadership philosophy, the importance of frontline experience (hint: everyone on her team is expected to ride The RIDE), and how MBTA is investing in staff and technology to build a smarter, more responsive system. From wage increases and morale-building to a future-facing mobility center, Michele is focused on modernizing paratransit—without losing its human heart.   This episode covers: Leadership lessons from decades in the field Post-pandemic service recovery and staffing challenges Technology upgrades and on-demand flexibility What the future of accessible transportation might look like   Tune in for a grounded, thoughtful conversation about moving people—and an entire industry—forward.