Transportation, job access, and income go hand-in-hand. In order for families to gain employment, arrive at work on time, and be available for extra shifts (which translates into greater income), they need reliable transportation that provides access to suitable jobs.
Unfortunately, many families in low-income neighborhoods are at a disadvantage because public transit allows them to reach only a fraction of the jobs for which they qualify. Here’s a look at how this plays out in some of the areas that Vehicles For Change serves*:
Baltimore Metro
In the Baltimore metro area, there are more than 80,000 low-income families without a car.
In Baltimore neighborhoods where VFC families typically live, public transit allows them to reach 54 percent of all jobs in the metro area within 90-minutes.
However, more than half of those reachable jobs are high skill jobs, for which low-income residents don’t qualify.
The low- and middle- skill jobs they can reach by public transit comprise just 25 percent of metro area jobs.
D.C. Metro Area
In the D.C. Metro Area, there are more than 133,500 low-income families without a car.
In Washington neighborhoods where VFC families typically live, public transit allows them to reach 46 percent of all jobs in the metro area with 90-minutes.
More than 65 percent of those reachable jobs are high-skill positions.
The low- and middle- skill jobs they can reach by public transit comprise just 16 percent of metro area jobs.
For most of us, cars remain both the fastest and most reliable way to get around. Unfortunately, families that are unable to access suitable jobs via public transportation are also unable to purchase a car on their own. Car-assistance programs such as Vehicles for Change are crucial to helping low-income families achieve financial independence.
*Source: The Brookings Institute “Missed Opportunity: Transit and Jobs in Metro.”
ACCESS TO HEALTHY LIVING & STRONGER FAMILIES
For many families, car ownership impacts more than their finances. With a car, parents are able to take their children to school, day care, and doctor’s appointments. Their children have the opportunity to participate in tutoring, athletics and after-school events – all activities that are difficult to reach without a car. A 2011 survey of VFC recipients, who had their car for at least 12 months, revealed:
100 percent are taking their children to after-school activities
87 percent are taking their children to athletic activities
81 percent are taking their children to art- and music-related opportunities
75 percent are taking their children to daycare
Car ownership also helps families take better care of their health. Without a car, many families are unable to access primary care physicians or urgent care centers, so they rely on emergency medical transportation and emergency rooms for simple illnesses. Routine procedures such as checkups and immunizations are more attainable when families own a vehicle. Read more on how cars can lead to happier, healthier families. Learn more about the impact of car ownership from VFC families.
The relationship between transportation and low-income families is of interest to policy makers, public transit leadership, and employment experts. Several organizations have conducted studies that examine the impact transportation has on low-income families:
THE LONG JOURNEY TO WORK: A FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION POLICY FOR WORKING FAMILIES
The Brookings Institute (July 2003)
Introduction: This brief provides practical policy options, including automobile access programs, improved fixed-route transit services and expanded paratransit and other door-to-door services.
MISSED OPPORTUNITY: TRANSIT AND JOBS IN METROPOLITAN AMERICA
The Brookings Institute (May 2011)
Introduction: This report provides background on factors that influence the reach and efficiency of transit in metropolitan areas. The report assesses the regional and local factors that relate to how well transit serves metropolitan populations and connects them to employment. The report concludes with implications for policymakers, employers, and workers.
GETTING AROUND WHEN YOU’RE JUST GETTING BY: THE TRAVEL BEHAVIOR AND TRANSPORTATION EXPENDITURES OF LOW-INCOME ADULTS
The Mineta Transportation Institute (January 2011)
Introduction: This study examines how rising transportation costs impact low-income families. The interviews examine four general areas of interest: travel behavior and transportation spending patterns; the costs and benefits of alternative modes of travel; cost management strategies; and opinions about the effect of changing transportation prices on travel behavior.
THE LONG JOURNEY TO WORK: A FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION POLICY FOR WORKING FAMILIES
Highlights from this study:
In almost every city, cars remain the fastest and most reliable way to get around.
A geographical mismatch exists between jobs and low-income workers: Most entry-level jobs exist in the suburbs. However, a lack of reliable transportation options means inner-city workers can’t access these jobs.
Reliable transportation leads to increased access to employment, higher earnings, and great employment stability among the poor.
Surveys of workers who obtained cars from subsidized car ownership programs report higher wages and better jobs, improved quality of daycare and more involvement with family and community.
MISSED OPPORTUNITY: TRANSIT AND JOBS IN METROPOLITAN AMERICA
Highlights from this study:
A transit system’s effectiveness depends not only on its reach but also on the regularity of service. Transit is not only less likely to reach suburban areas, but where it does it provides much less frequent service, especially in higher-income areas.
About 25 percent of jobs in low- and middle-skill industries are accessible within 90 minutes (using public transit) for the average metropolitan commuter, compared to 33 percent of jobs in high-skill industries.
In 100 of the country’s largest metro areas, 69 percent of low-skill industry jobs are in the suburbs. So while low- and middle-skill jobs make up the bulk of suburban employment, suburban residents can still reach greater portions of metropolitan high-skill jobs through public transit.
In the post-recession economy, ensuring access to employment should be an explicit focus for policymakers.
GETTING AROUND WHEN YOU’RE JUST GETTING BY: THE TRAVEL BEHAVIOR AND TRANSPORTATION EXPENDITURES OF LOW-INCOME ADULTS
Highlights from this study:
Most low-income families are concerned about the cost of transportation.
Low-income people benefit from policies that reduce their transportation burden and/or increase their mobility. Although members of low-income households can minimize their transportation expenses by forgoing travel, such short-term financial strategies entail longer-term costs to quality of life.
Low-income individuals actively and strategically manage their household resources in order to survive on very limited means and to respond to changes in income or transportation costs.
When making travel decisions, low-income families evaluate the costs of travel (time and out-of-pocket expenses) against the benefits of each mode of transportation.
One tactic to increase the affordability of transportation is to offset the cost of automobile ownership. Organizations that offer low-income auto ownership programs can help offset the initial cost of owning a car.
The 2014 Economic Mobility Forum aims to bridge the gap between research and practice on transportation and the impact that transportation has on families. Presented by Vehicles for Change, the Forum will focus on how transportation impacts:
Quality of life: Access to jobs, schools, health care, day care and healthy food
Healthy living
Family Structure and children
Business’ ability to attract and retain employees at all skill levels
PANEL FOCUS:
Community Representatives
Economic Impact on the Region & Employers
Family Structure and children
Transportation’s Impact on Healthy Living & Families
Rodney Foxworth is a cross-sector leader and entrepreneur with experience in philanthropy, social enterprise business development and economic inclusion. He is deputy director of the Warnock Foundation and advisor to BMe, an organization that funds, promotes and networks enterprising black men in a growing number of U.S. cities. Rodney is also co-founder of SocEnt Baltimore, a growing network of emerging social entrepreneurs in Baltimore City.
Janel Black is a Baltimore City resident who has lived without a car for three years. She is a mother who has difficulties getting back and forth to work for her 3AM to 11AM shift without a vehicle. Jenel will be receiving a car from VFC at the forum.
Gloria Estrada is a mother of six children from Montgomery County. She received a car from VFC in January 2014. Gloria manages her own photography business, making reliable transportation important for her family and her company. You can find out more about Gloria Estrada photography here. Since receiving a vehicles, Gloria has served as VFC’s special events photographer, including the Economic Mobility Forum. We appreciate her help and talent.
ECONOMIC IMPACT ON THE REGION AND EMPLOYERS
Donald C. Fry is president and CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC), the region’s most prominent organization of business and civic leaders. He has been the chief executive of the GBC since Nov. 1, 2002. Since that time, he has crafted a vision for the GBC that is taking shape in the form of bold initiatives designed to strengthen the area’s business climate. Prior to being named GBC president and CEO, Fry served as the GBC’s executive vice president and general counsel.
Tom Hirsch is the President of Hirsch Electric. Mr. Hirsch provides extensive business and financial expertise to the company. He served as a Chief Financial Officer in the construction material distribution business before acquiring Hirsch Electric with his brother, Joe. He is a CPA and has obtained his MBA from Loyola College of Baltimore’s XMBA Program with an undergraduate degree from Mount Saint Mary College.
Michael B. Kelly handles legal matters for the Baltimore Metropolitan Council and coordinates cooperative efforts among the Baltimore region’s jurisdictions. Currently, Mike serves as the Director of the Opportunity Collaborative – the consortium developing Baltimore’s Regional Plan for Sustainable Development through a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development.
Wendy Ness has worked for Genesis HealthCare since January of 2010. She started out at Brightwood Center before serving as the Administrator at Homewood Center in Baltimore and Gettyburg Center in Pennsylvania. Wendy has been working in healthcare for over 15 years in Acute Rehabilitation, Assisted/ Senior Living and Long-Term Care setting in Maryland and Pennsylvania. She has a Bachelor Science degree with an emphasis on Therapeutic Recreation and an MBA with an emphasis on HealthCare Administration from York College of Pennsylvania.
TRANSPORTATION’S IMPACT ON HEALTHY LIVING & FAMILY STRUCTURE
Diane L. Bell McKoy is the President and CEO of Associated Black Charities (ABC), Maryland’s leading African-American philanthropic organization, where she leads a team of “change agents” focused on closing the health and wealth gaps in the State of Maryland through strategic partnerships and investments for the development of healthier and wealthier communities. Their signature economic strategy is entitled More in the Middle focusing on a wealthier region by strengthening the assets of people of color specifically African Americans, low income, the working poor and the fragile middle class.
Ashyrra C. Dotson has been a positive advocate for Minority Health and Health disparities for the past 8 years. Ms. Dotson has made great strides during her 8 year tenure with Associated Black Charities as the Program Coordinator for Dorchester County and has established lasting partnerships within the community at large as well as developing strong inroads with the Faith based organizations of Dorchester County.
Maritha Gay is Executive Director of External Affairs and Community Benefit for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, Inc. As a member of Kaiser Permanente’s executive team, Ms. Gay leads the community benefit initiatives and investments that support the organization’s mission to provide high quality, affordable health care and to improve the health of its communities.
Dr. Michelle A. Gourdine is a physician and CEO of Michelle Gourdine and Associates LLC, an award-winning W/MBE-certified consulting firm dedicated to empowering people to make healthier choices for themselves and their families. She is also a nationally-sought-after speaker and author of the book, Reclaiming Our Health: A Guide to African American Wellness (Yale University Press). She is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Departments of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and a Senior Associate in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Access To Healthy Living & Stronger Families
ACCESS TO HEALTHY LIVING & STRONGER FAMILIES
For many families, car ownership impacts more than their finances. With a car, parents are able to take their children to school, daycare and doctor’s appointments. Their children have the opportunity to participate in tutoring, athletics and after-school events – all activities that are difficult to reach without a car. A 2011 survey of VFC recipients, who had their car for at least 12 months, revealed:
100 percent are taking their children to after-school activities
87 percent are taking their children to athletic activities
81 percent are taking their children to art- and music-related opportunities
75 percent are taking their children to daycare
Car ownership also helps families take better care of their health. Without a car, many families are unable to access primary care physicians or urgent care centers, so they rely on emergency medical transportation and emergency rooms for simple illnesses. Routine procedures such as check-ups and immunizations are more attainable when families own a vehicle.
