In order to promote social mobility, we need to support physical mobility by investing in public transportation.

Physical mobility describes the movement of people between places, while social mobility describes the movement between different socio-economic statuses. In the United States, social mobility remains relatively low. People born in poverty remain stuck in poverty, while those born with wealth retain their level of wealth.

One of the ways public transit supports social mobility is its ability to move people of all socioeconomic statuses. Research has shown that a lack of transportation is a significant barrier to escaping poverty. Compared to driving, transit has a much lower barrier of entry, meaning anyone can get around regardless of background. A car may simply be unaffordable, or a person’s age, disability, or undocumented status may prevent them from driving. Being able to move physically allows people to access education, jobs, healthcare, and form social connections, all things critical for social mobility.

While public transit offers a more equitable form of transportation, it’s unrealistic to completely replace cars with transit. Driving does allow for greater freedom of mobility than transit. However, it is important to recognize that strengthening public transit benefits both drivers and transit users. By prioritizing public transit infrastructure, drivers benefit from reduced congestion when people who would otherwise be driving take transit instead. In addition, cities designed with public transit in mind are more compact, with higher-density developments putting residential, business, and education centers closer together. This reduces the physical isolation that often limits access to opportunity.