Concepedia

Discrimination in Mass Transit

Journal of the American Planning Association · 1982 · 40 citations · 13 references

TL;DR

Transit systems aim to alleviate mobility deprivation for the poor, yet they often implicitly discriminate against the very group that relies most on public transportation. The study investigates the nature and extent of financial inequities in transit that disadvantage low‑income and minority riders. Using nationwide aggregate data from 1978 and detailed city‑level analyses, the authors assess how transit finance inequities violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. The authors propose policy changes designed to reverse or mitigate these inequities.

Abstract

Abstract Helping to offset the mobility deprivations of the poor should be one of the main goals of transit. Yet, in a number of ways, transit systems have implicitly discrim- inated against this group, which most needs their services. This article examines the nature and extent of various types of inequities in transit finance that harm low- income and minority riders. Through analysis of nationwide, aggregate data for 1978 as well as in-depth studies of individual cities, an assessment is made of the degree to which transit finance inequities represent violations of Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Finally, recommendations are made for policy changes that would reverse or at least mitigate these inequities.