Inside Steer: Conversations with Experts – Ep. 2 | Masoor Hasan

In Episode 2 of Inside Steer: Conversations with Experts, Executive President Herbert Higginbotham speaks with Masoor Hasan, Senior Vice President, Rail Advisory, North America, about how passenger rail and transit systems are evolving in response to shifting demand, funding uncertainty, and new delivery models.

Drawing on more than two decades of experience in rail and transit advisory, Masoor shares how ridership is recovering across North America — but not in the same ways as before — and what this means for service planning, investment decisions, and long-term strategy. The conversation explores the growing importance of data-driven decision-making, the role of private sector involvement, and how agencies can plan for an increasingly complex and dynamic operating environment.

From post-pandemic ridership patterns to the future of regional and intercity rail, this episode offers a grounded, forward-looking perspective on where the rail and transit industry is heading next.

Listen to our latest episode

Hear expert perspectives on:

• How rail and transit ridership has recovered — and fundamentally changed — since the pandemic

• The funding and governance challenges facing passenger rail across North America

• The increasing role of public–private partnerships (P3s) in rail development and operations

• Why data-driven planning is essential for forecasting demand in a post-pandemic world

• What the next 5–10 years could look like for rail and transit systems

Guest(s)

Masoor Hasan, Senior Vice President, Rail Advisory, North America, Steer

Host(s)

Herbert Higginbotham, Executive President, North America, Steer