We Need Public Transit Everywhere–Not Just In Big Cities

By  LeeAnn Hall\OtherWords.org Photos: Wikimedia Commons All Americans should be able to get to their jobs, schools, and places of worship easily. It should be affordable and convenient for all of us to visit friends and family. & But many people in this country simply don’t enjoy that mobility. Maybe they don’t have a car. Maybe they can’t drive. Maybe the bus only comes once an hour. Or maybe there’s no bus service at all. Better public transit is key — and not just in cities. Transit might look different in smaller towns and rural areas than in big cities, but it’s no less of a lifeline. Over a million Americans in small and rural communities don’t have access to a car or the ability to operate one. A third of households only have one car. These people are left struggling to access jobs, services, and community life. This results in barriers to recreation, employment, medical care, and basic services for those most isolated from society — like senior citizens, children, young adults, and veterans. But for far too long, policymakers in Washington have prioritized highways and cars over public transit. This has devastating impacts on transit, especially in the...