Transit Equity Day is celebrated on February 4, the birthday of civil rights activist Rosa Parks. Ms. Parks' protest went beyond her right to a bus seat. It raised awareness that transit service is as essential as electricity or running water; enabling people to travel to work, school, doctor's appointments and recreation.
Celebrate Transit Equity Day by watching this short video, featuring DASH bus operator Camille Mendez. DASH bus in Alexandria, Virginia, has made great strides toward more equitable service as a result of free fares and increased frequency of service. Ridership levels have soared to historic levels, and DASH bus operators have reported an increase in overall job satisfaction. The free fares were made possible in part by state grant funding.
DASH is a state leader in the transition to battery electric buses. Transportation is the number one source of climate pollution, and communities of color are most impacted by the air pollution emitted from gas vehicles. Clean, reliable transit helps lower the impact on families that live near heavily traveled roadways.
Transit equity is a civil right. Let's encourage the prioritization of funding for policy that embodies the spirit of Rosa Parks' advocacy.