Car-less In Baltimore

Over 205,000 Baltimore residents don't own cars -- 32 percent of the city's population -- leaving many 'lost' and vulnerable to any Katrina-like disaster.

1 minute read

February 19, 2006, 9:00 AM PST

By David Gest


"...there are more than 200,000 residents of Baltimore City who don't have access to a car. They are, as Balser describes it, 'lost.' Not only is it harder for them to get around the city, but it's also difficult for them to get to work. They must seek jobs along bus routes or pay for taxis to get to jobs, and they often have to pass up opportunities for higher-paying jobs that are located beyond city limits.

According to the November-December 2005 edition of The Abell Report, a monthly newsletter published by the Baltimore-based philanthropic Abell Foundation, Baltimore is home to 205,544 citizens who don't have access to an automobile. To put things into perspective, that's 32 percent of the city's populationâ€"a number six percentage points higher than the number of New Orleans residents who were without access to cars right before Hurricane Katrina. It has been widely acknowledged that a significant number of New Orleanians could not readily evacuate the city during the hurricane because they lacked auto access."

Wednesday, February 15, 2006 in Baltimore City Paper

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

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

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.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

5 hours ago - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

6 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

7 hours ago - Next City