How does transportation affect social mobility?

Access to transportation reduces barriers to employment, to educational opportunities, to health care, and to child care.



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Improves Community Mobility Inter-city transit systems help riders move throughout the area, regardless of the borough or neighborhood they live in. Many people do not have the capability to drive, so public transportation is sometimes the only option to help them get to their destination.

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It is a lifeline for millions of Americans connecting them to people, places and possibilities. It also builds thriving communities, creates jobs, eases traffic congestion and promotes a cleaner environment.

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Without accessible transportation options, families can struggle to accomplish daily activities and be forced to trade expensive commutes for other needs and goods. Limited transportation access can also restrict opportunities for work and education.

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Mobility is the ability to freely move or be moved. The important difference here is the word ability. Transportation (“across-carry” in Latin) describes the act of moving something or someone, whereas mobility (“capable of movement”) describes the ability of a person to move or be moved.

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Transportation also leads to noise pollution, water pollution, and affects ecosystems through multiple direct and indirect interactions. With the continuous growth in transportation, increasingly shifting to high-speed transportation modes, these externalities are expected to grow.

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9 Benefits of Public Transportation
  • It benefits communities financially: ...
  • Public transportation reduces air pollution: ...
  • Increased fuel efficiency: ...
  • Reduced traffic congestion: ...
  • Saves money: ...
  • Increases mobility: ...
  • Frees up time: ...
  • Public transportation is safer:


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Inadequate public transportation can also increase social isolation, particularly for older populations and people with disabilities or others who do not drive. This can increase the risk for early mortality, depression, and dementia.

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Railroad expansion led to labor reform while facilitating migration around the country. Bicycles empowered women's rights advocates and encouraged female independence. Buses became sites of civil rights activism. Transportation is inextricably linked to the spread of social change throughout the nation and beyond.

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