Director of transit planning at Palm Tran, a Florida-based public transit bus system, Yash Nagal, has earned a spot on the 2024 Mass Transit magazine’s esteemed “40 Under 40” list, recognizing his innovative leadership in public transportation.
Overseeing service and strategic planning divisions, Nagal leads a team of seven in improving transit services for Palm Beach County, tackling challenges like low frequencies and land use misalignments.
Nagal's career began in India as a civil engineer trainee at Gammon India. After moving to the U.S., a bus ride in Orlando inspired his passion for public transit planning. This led him to pursue a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Florida (UF).
He joined the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority (LYNX) as a planning technician before moving to Palm Tran, where he quickly ascended through the ranks, holding roles such as transit planner, senior transit planner, and manager of transit planning.
“I am grateful to be amongst the company of dedicated individuals in public transportation,” Nagal said. “This opportunity will allow me to grow my network and serve passengers by giving them access to the same opportunities I had.”
Nagal attributes much of his success to the support he received at UF’s College of Design, Construction, and Planning. He emphasized the lasting impact of those relationships, stating, “The quality relationships you form in Gainesville stay with you long after college. Everyone there shares a common vision of creating better places without settling for the status quo.”
Nagal’s dedication to public transit extends beyond daily operations. “Public transportation advocacy continues to be my most significant cause, especially in areas where frequent transit is unavailable,” he noted, advocating for reliable, frequent systems to grow ridership.
In his role at Palm Tran, Nagal works closely with community partners to address transit gaps and provide improved services to passengers. His leadership and vision have cemented his place as one of the rising stars in the field.
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login