Did you know that many people from poverty-stricken communities lack access to consistent transportation which then affects access to education and employment?
Student travel is important for a variety of reasons. Transportation barriers disproportionately affect low-income students. Spending lots of time traveling to school could have adverse effects on students’ health, safety, and academic outcomes.
- According to research, universities in poverty-stricken communities or even community college students who receive or qualify for free tuition programs face enormous challenges in their lives that impact their academic careers. Access to transportation is one of the most significant challenges, particularly for community college students, who almost always commute to school because there is no on-campus housing.
- Students from low-income households, as well as students who identify as people of color, are more likely to face mobility issues. According to a 2021 study of students at 2- and 4-year public colleges, lack of transportation can be just as detrimental to college completion as high tuition.
- For commuters, transportation can account for nearly 20% of the cost of college. Students at community colleges will spend an average of $1,840 on transportation.
- When a lack of transportation leads to less dispersion, it creates economic and racial isolation, resulting in diverse cities with segregated schools.
