What is Transportation Justice?

Transportation justice is a movement and framework that advocates for fair and equitable access to transportation for all people, particularly marginalized and underserved communities. It recognizes that transportation is a critical component of daily life, connecting individuals to essential services, employment, education, and social opportunities. However, many communities face significant barriers to accessing safe, reliable, and affordable transportation.

Key Principles of Transportation Justice

Equity in Access
Transportation justice seeks to ensure fairness by providing everyone, regardless of race, income, disability, or location, with access to transportation options that meet their needs. It prioritizes inclusivity by focusing on the needs of historically underserved and marginalized communities, such as low-income neighborhoods, people of color, the elderly, and those with disabilities.

Environmental Justice
Transportation justice promotes sustainability by advocating for environmentally responsible transportation options that reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. It also emphasizes health and safety, supporting transportation systems that minimize harmful impacts on well-being, particularly in communities disproportionately affected by environmental hazards.

Affordability
Transportation justice ensures economic accessibility by making public transportation and other mobility options affordable for all, thereby reducing the financial burden on low-income families and individuals. It also calls for equitable investment in communities, advocating for enhanced transportation infrastructure in underserved areas to improve access and opportunities.

Community Empowerment
Transportation justice emphasizes the importance of participation by ensuring community involvement in transportation planning and decision-making processes. It demands accountability, holding governments, agencies, and private entities responsible for creating and maintaining transportation systems that serve the public equitably.

Mobility as a Human Right
Transportation justice asserts that the ability to move freely and safely is a fundamental human right. It seeks to dismantle barriers by challenging and removing systemic obstacles that prevent certain groups from accessing transportation.

This approach to transportation is not just about infrastructure; it’s about creating a society where every person, regardless of their background, can enjoy equal access to the opportunities that transportation provides.

Why Transportation Justice Matters

Transportation is not just about getting from one place to another—it’s about access to opportunity. Without reliable transportation, individuals may struggle to reach jobs, education, healthcare, and other critical services. Transportation justice addresses the disparities that leave many people behind, advocating for systems that serve everyone equally and contribute to the overall well-being of society.

By supporting transportation justice, we work towards a future where every person, regardless of their background, can enjoy the benefits of a fair, efficient, and sustainable transportation system.