Transportation Equity Lessons from the Pandemic

Almost a year into the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Urban Institute assesses what we've learned about transportation equity—and what these lessons mean for the future.

1 minute read

January 12, 2021, 8:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


In a recent webinar hosted by the Urban Institute, a panel of city and community leaders discussed transportation equity and the barriers and opportunities highlighted by the pandemic. While transit agencies across the country have made steep service cuts, it has become painfully obvious that the people most hurt by reduced service are the essential workers—many low-income and BIPOC—who rely on public transit for their livelihood. Transit cuts also hurt the elderly and people with disabilities, who face increased barriers in finding safe, accessible, and affordable transportation. The panelists agreed that disinvestment in public transit is shortsighted and dangerous, as rolling back the budget cuts will be difficult to do later. After the pandemic, communities will need long-term plans for improved commutes and safe, accessible transit.

Christina Plerhoples Stacy and Christopher Davis highlight the four main lessons that emerged from the discussion. The webinar presented the Institute's new transportation equity data tool and hosted a panel discussion about potential solutions to transportation inequities. The big takeaways:

  • Prioritizing roads and highways over public transit perpetuates the negative impacts of structurally racist policies.
  • Reducing funding for equitable transportation directly affects essential workers, who depend on public transit more than other groups.
  • Funding structures affect how equitable transit systems are.
  • Early community engagement matters for planning and implementing policies that provide services to underserved communities.

Monday, January 4, 2021 in Urban Institute

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of Shirley Chisholm Village four-story housing development with person biking in front.

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning

SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

June 8, 2025 - Fast Company

Yellow single-seat Japanese electric vehicle drivign down road.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs

The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

June 6, 2025 - PC Magazine

Rendering of autonomous cargo train moving across bridge across river in wooded area between Texas and Mexico.

Trump Approves Futuristic Automated Texas-Mexico Cargo Corridor

The project could remove tens of thousands of commercial trucks from roadways.

7 hours ago - FreightWaves

Rendering of white three-story single-stair building in Austin, Texas with staircase in the middle.

Austin's First Single Stair Apartment Building is Officially Underway

Eliminating the requirement for two staircases in multi-story residential buildings lets developers use smaller lots and more flexible designs to create denser housing.

June 17 - Building Design & Construction

MARTA bus with Atlanta skyline in background

Atlanta Bus System Redesign Will Nearly Triple Access

MARTA's Next Gen Bus Network will retool over 100 bus routes, expand frequent service.

June 17 - Mass Transit