Transportation Equity Connects Us All

By Suzi Gao, a summer intern

Colorado advocates consider the transportation needs of their state.

The latest federal proposals on how to spend our dollars have undesirably diminished the single thing that connects us all to opportunity – affordable, dependable transportation.

Last week, 70 grassroots and state leaders joined staff from national advocacy organizations, including Leadership Conference coalition partners, to participate in a personal and informative discussion about the important role that transportation plays in connecting low-income people, seniors, and people with disabilities to vital resources such as jobs, schools, housing, and health care.

The participants agreed: We need to start revamping our transportation system into an equitable system so that people can access whatever it is they need.

Both the Senate and the House of Representatives have begun discussing reauthorization of a major transportation investment bill. Advocates at the discussion representing Alabama, Colorado, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and Rhode Island jumped at the opportunity to urge their state legislators to support improving access to affordable transportation.

It might seem an unlikely issue for civil rights activists to be concerned about, but the reality is that if you can’t get around your community – you’re ability to really improve your life is diminished.

Think about a single mom without a car who is working a few jobs – none of which are located near her home. She has to think about how to drop off her kids at school every day and then provide a nutritious dinner at night. What would she do if there wasn’t an affordable and dependable transit system that would allow her to access work, school, stores, and other resources throughout the day? Those who cannot afford a car – like this single mom – have to depend on public transportation to be able to live, work, and provide for their children.

These are the challenges that many people face that can be alleviated if our federal transportation dollars were spent in a way that recognizes that not everyone uses transportation the same way.

I say drive on, beep and honk for progress until there is transportation equity for the diverse individuals in need of an easier, more reliable, and affordable tool to access life’s imperative needs.