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PUBLIC TRANSPO -
If leaders in Washington cut transit funding, working families like mine will pay the price. - Vanessa Alvarez
Everyone deserves access to reliable, safe, and affordable transportation — especially working families who need to make the most of their earnings. Working families rely on public transit, whether they live and work in big cities, small towns, or rural communities.
I work at a convenience store in Florida and take the bus to and from work every day. I have to be at work at 7:00am most days, so I get up at 5:30 a.m. to take the 6:30 a.m. bus. The ride is only 10-12 minutes if the bus comes on time.
When the bus doesn’t come, which happens often, I have to wait 45 minutes to an hour for the next bus, and then I’m late to work. I have to call to let them know and then provide proof that the bus was late. The bosses don’t understand and don’t like it.
Increasing access to affordable transportation options is key to improving affordability for working families in communities across the United States. Eighty-nine percent of Americans report concerns about the cost of living. You hear about it wherever you go.
What many people don’t know is housing and transportation are typically the two highest household expenses for most families in the United States.
In 2023, U.S. households spent an average of $13,174 on transportation, making it the second-largest annual household expenditure after housing. The significant proportion of household income spent on transportation and housing highlights the financial challenges working families face.
High transportation costs, particularly for those who rely on personal vehicles, combined with housing costs, can limit disposable income and impact overall quality of life.
Enhancing public transit accessibility and affordability would alleviate some financial pressure by reducing the necessity for car ownership and associated expenses. Public transit unlocks freedom of movement in urban, suburban, and rural communities throughout the country.
When working families can count on the bus or train to get where they need to go, they can easily access jobs, education, medical care, culture, goods and services, and the daily life of their communities. They benefit from greater economic mobility and lower household costs. Transportation systems that maximize people’s access to good transit are necessarily inclusive, without barriers linked to race, income, age, or ability.
For many working families, a lack of transportation can be a significant barrier to job opportunities. Public transit serves as a lifeline to affordable, reliable access to workplaces. By ensuring a robust public transportation system, we can create pathways for workers to secure, stable jobs.
Public transit is much more than just a means of getting from point A to point B. It’s a crucial tool for leveling the playing field for working families, ensuring that they have the mobility, financial security, and opportunities necessary to thrive.
Which is why it is so troubling that some in Washington are looking to cut funding for public transit or even pull back funds that have already been approved.
In an era where the gap between the wealthy and the working people continues to grow, strengthening public transit systems is a practical, impactful way to reduce inequality, promote sustainable economic growth, and protect workers’ rights.
In short, public transit moves working families. And we need to support it.
(Vanessa Alvarez is a resident of Kissimmee, Florida and a convenience store worker. This op-ed was distributed by OtherWords.org.)
