One word to describe yourself: Authentic
Alma Mater: Florida Atlantic University; University of Central Florida
Fast fact about yourself: My dad made a career out of selling cars – I make a career out of helping people leave them at home. He closed deals with test drives; I win hearts with bus routes and bike lanes. I guess you can say I’m the family’s official plot twist.
What’s your best experience on transit and what made it memorable? A couple of years ago, I made the rookie mistake of taking an Uber to Dodger Stadium for a Lady Gaga concert. After the show, the cell network was completely overwhelmed—no Ubers, no signal, just chaos, so I suggested we walk down to the nearest bus line and like a beacon of hope, our orange L.A. Metro chariot appeared—already packed with fellow “Little Monsters,” all headed in the same direction. It was sweaty, crowded and absolutely perfect. Public transit saved the night, and honestly, it was way more fun than any rideshare could have been.
Nicholas A. Sofoul, director of strategic planning, North County Transit District (NCTD), has led several of the agency’s most transformative projects in its nearly 50-year history. His career spans both coasts—from Broward County Transit (BCT) in Florida to his current role in San Diego County.
At BCT, Sofoul was involved in planning and community outreach for the successful Penny for Transportation ballot measure, which secured 30 years of dedicated transit funding. As planning administrator, he helped launch the county’s premium mobility plan (PREMO) and contributed to transit-oriented development strategies through updates to the comprehensive plan and land development code. He also served on the Complete Streets team, helping to integrate biking and pedestrian infrastructure into the county’s broader mobility vision.
At NCTD, Sofoul oversaw the launch of the agency’s first microtransit service, NCTD+. He also played a key role in implementing the regional PRONTO fare system, enabling fare capping and open-loop payments to streamline the rider experience. Sofoul introduced creative fare products to NCTD, such as COASTER Packs and the Fair Tripper, a combined event admission and transit pass that boosted event-based ridership by 200 percent over three years.
Sofoul also served as lead project manager in NCTD’s efforts to insource its bus operations and maintenance functions, which provides fixed-route bus, paratransit and microtransit service across a 1,020-square-mile service area. This effort—completed in under one year—included coordination between internal and external stakeholders to bring approximately 450 employees on board, effectively doubling the agency’s size.
Sofoul maintains a strong presence both locally and nationally, promoting the value of public transit through education and community engagement. He regularly speaks at city councils, schools, transit group meetings and community events like farmers markets to build awareness and support for transit initiatives. He also is a regular speaker at industry conferences and webinars, sharing insights on planning, microtransit and modern fare payment systems.
He is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), serving on several key committees, including fare collection, paratransit/access, rail, planning and development and the LGBTQ+ Resource Group. A Leadership APTA graduate, he continues to mentor and support incoming cohorts. He also serves on the California Transit Association’s IDEA Task Force, advancing inclusion, equity and access across the transit industry. Sofoul supports organizations such as Conference of Minority Transportation Professionals and Latinos In Transit and maintains his AICP certification through the American Planning Association.
Outside of transit, Sofoul is equally committed to community service and equity. As an alumnus of Delta Lambda Phi—a fraternity dedicated to supporting men of all sexual orientations and gender expressions—he has led philanthropic efforts supporting LGBTQ+ Resource Centers and The Trevor Project.
He holds a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from Florida Atlantic University.
Is there a specific experience that led you to where you are today?
There wasn’t a single defining moment, but rather a series of influences that shaped my path. I grew up in a family deeply affected by the ups and downs of economic cycles, which taught me early on the importance of resilience and adaptability. My father always encouraged me to pursue work that aligned with my interests and to prioritize people over profit.
That advice stayed with me. Over time, I found my way into urban planning—a field that not only feeds my curiosity, but also gives me the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on communities.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
What I enjoy most about my job is knowing that reliable, accessible and high-quality transit can unlock real opportunities for entire communities—whether that’s getting to work, accessing healthcare or simply enjoying a weekend soccer match (Go SDFC!). It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of a system that improves quality of life for thousands of people every day. Being a small piece of that bigger picture is what keeps me motivated.
What’s the most challenging part of your job?
One of the biggest challenges in my work is that, in many sunbelt regions, public transit faces funding constraints, competing priorities and outdated perceptions, but that also means there’s so much room for growth and impact. I see every project and conversation as a chance to shift the narrative, to show how transit can transform lives, connect communities and create more equitable cities. It’s not always easy, but the momentum is building, and that’s incredibly energizing.
What is the accomplishment you’re most proud of and why?
I’ve had the privilege of working on some truly transformative projects, helping to secure dedicated transit funding and launch the PREMO at BCT and leading the full insourcing of bus, paratransit and maintenance operations at NCTD;but the accomplishment I’m most proud of is launching microtransit at NCTD. Expectations were high, and there were plenty of hurdles to overcome, but we not only delivered—we did it in a way that was both innovative and inclusive. Hearing members of the public personally thank our board for the service we provided was incredibly rewarding and a powerful reminder of why this work matters.
What is an accomplishment you would like to work towards in your career?
Looking ahead, I want to continue shifting public perception of transit and encouraging the industry to design systems through the lens of our most vulnerable and historically underserved populations. I'm especially passionate about creating inclusive transit for people of all ages, sizes and abilities.
One milestone in this journey was leading a Leadership APTA Capstone Project titled “Embracing All Sizes: Creating Equity Through Inclusive Design.” It sparked meaningful conversations about body-inclusive transit—an often overlooked but essential aspect of accessibility and dignity. I’m excited to keep pushing this work forward.
What is your best advice/tip/best practice you can share from your area of expertise?
I have two pieces of advice. First, ride your system often and talk to your passengers. Hearing their stories firsthand always reconnects me to the mission and reminds me who we’re working for. It’s about putting real faces to the work we do.
Second, build a strong network of trusted colleagues, people who will give you honest, constructive feedback when you're navigating tough decisions. That kind of support is invaluable in this field.
About the Author
Brandon Lewis
Associate Editor
Brandon Lewis is a recent graduate of Kent State University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Lewis is a former freelance editorial assistant at Vehicle Service Pros in Endeavor Business Media’s Vehicle Repair Group. Lewis brings his knowledge of web managing, copyediting and SEO practices to Mass Transit Magazine as an associate editor. He is also a co-host of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast.