Ensure equitable transit access

Focusing only on the most productive elements of the transit system would likely leave many low-income riders behind. Providing equitable, affordable, accessible service to most people — particularly those who are low income, car-less, or with limited mobility — has historically been integral to public transit’s mission. According to CMAP research, lower income people of color have longer-than-average commutes, and—despite typically living in areas with transit access—they often travel to jobs in places or at times with limited bus or rail service.^{{{Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, “Travel Patterns in Economically Disconnected Area Clusters,” January 2018, http://www.cmap.illinois.gov/updates/all/-/asset_publisher/UIMfSLnFfMB6/content/travel-patterns-in-economically-disconnected-area-clusters.}}} These challenges are shaped in part by a spatial-mismatch in development driven by long term disinvestment in parts of the region frequently home to low-income communities of color. As jobs have moved to less accessible areas, the commutes of these residents increasingly require transfers between multiple modes or service providers, costing more time and money. These residents may also be unable to afford up-front expenses for weekly or monthly passes that would save them money over the long run. Public transit agencies face difficult tradeoffs in ensuring efficient, reliable, affordable service while serving a diverse set of transit markets, particularly in an environment of declining revenue. The region must balance investments in growing areas where limited transit capacity isn’t meeting increased demand versus areas where population has been declining but residents will continue to rely heavily on public transit. Reallocating scarce resources will require thoughtful, transparent, ongoing study. It is critical that these decisions include substantial community involvement and prioritize increasing affordable mobility options for low-income residents, people with disabilities, and those without access to private vehicles.

All public transit agencies are required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act to consider the impact of service and fare changes on minority populations and avoid disparate impacts based on race, color, or national origin. The region’s transit agencies are committed to delivering equitable and accessible transportation services. This includes making transit stations and vehicles more physically accessible to people with disabilities, as well as improving communications systems to make service navigable for those with visual and hearing impairments. All buses in the region are ADA accessible, although the immediate surroundings of many bus stops in the region are not. Likewise, all trains are accessible, but many train stations are not. The CTA is committed to making all rail stations accessible over the next 20 years as part of its All Stations Accessibility Program, but needs additional funding to achieve this goal. While many local governments have individual efforts, our region needs a coordinated effort to improve accessibility near all transit services. Policies to support equitable access must be complemented by strategies to promote coordination across public agencies, reinvestment in existing communities, and production of affordable housing near transit.^{{{Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, “Transit Trends.”}}}