You Can Go Home Again: Newly named Detroit DOT Director Dan Dirks on Turning Around Transit in the Motor City

Dan Dirks, who was appointed Director of the Detroit DOT on January 16 by Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, joins the CT Podcast to discuss the commitment of Detroit DOT employees to reviving public transit across the city. From covering the current state of the system to the initial beginnings of what many hope is a remarkable comeback story, Dirks provides an inside look at the challenges ahead, the focus on customers and transit's role in facilitating Detroit's economic recovery. Born and raised in Detroit, Dirks certainly seems like the right person for this job.

Listen Here (25:06) 

Brrrr... Expert cold weather transit tips

With much of the U.S. experiencing extreme cold weather, the first CT Podcast edition of 2014 takes a look cold weather transit. Jim Heilig, Director of Administration and Planning with the Duluth Transit Authority in Duluth, Minnesota and Rochelle Cotey, Executive Director of Alger County Public Transportation in Michigan's Upper Peninsula discuss how their operations deal with extreme winter weather, from low temps to piles of snow. From planning and communications to emergency management and special equipment, these two seasoned transit professionals — each located along the shores of Lake Superior — offer their best advice on handling winter conditions while ably serving their communities.

Duluth's temperature at 8am today: -16 F
Munising's temperature at 8am today: 6

Listen Here: (26:24)