EQUITY ON THE TRACK

Equity on the Track: How Rail Transit Creates Fairer Cities

Public transit isn’t just about getting from one place to another—it’s about access, opportunity, and mobility for all. Unfortunately, America's reliance on car ownership and underdeveloped public transit systems has created deep economic and social disparities. Lower-income communities, particularly those in urban areas, often face transit deserts, where affordable and reliable transportation options are scarce. Expanding rail transit (RT) can bridge these gaps, ensuring that everyone, regardless of income or location, has access to jobs, education, and essential services.

How Car Dependency Perpetuates Inequality

  • Financial Burden: Owning a car is expensive. Between car payments, insurance, gas, and maintenance, the costs add up quickly, placing a heavy burden on low-income households. Many are forced into car ownership due to a lack of public transit alternatives.

  • Transit Deserts: In many cities, public transportation does not adequately serve lower-income areas, leaving residents with few options for commuting to work, school, or healthcare facilities.

  • Cycle of Poverty: When transportation is unreliable or too expensive, it limits access to job opportunities, reinforcing economic disparities and making upward mobility even harder.

Why Rail Transit Promotes Equity

  • Higher Carrying Capacity: RT can transport thousands of people per hour, ensuring that commuters from all backgrounds can access reliable transportation.

  • More Affordable than Cars: A monthly transit pass is significantly cheaper than car ownership, helping low-income workers save money and reinvest in their future.

  • Supports Job Growth & Accessibility: Rail systems connect people to economic hubs, business districts, and suburban job centers, opening opportunities for those who otherwise couldn’t reach them.

  • Climate & Health Benefits: With 76% fewer emissions per passenger mile than single-occupancy vehicles, rail transit helps reduce air pollution, disproportionately affecting lower-income communities.

"Title VII, a clause in the Civil Rights Act of 1964, aimed to directly combat economic discrimination through providing ‘injunctive relief against discrimination in public accommodations.’"

The Call for More Equitable Transit

By making rail transit a national priority, we can create fairer, more inclusive cities where mobility is a right, not a privilege.