Long Commutes Pose Additional Risks for Students in New York City

A recent study shows significant variation in commute times for students depending on where they live in New York City. The concern with the findings is that longer commute times have greater impacts on students already facing other obstacles.

1 minute read

June 2, 2014, 2:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"The average high schooler’s commute in 2011-12 was 32 minutes, according to some new number-crunching from the Independent Budget Office. But more than one in five students faced commutes longer than 45 minutes each way," reports Sarah Darville.

"Unsurprisingly, the Census tracts with the highest share of 45-minute-plus treks for students are in parts of Queens, the Bronx, and central Brooklyn, where train lines end or where transportation options are scarce."

Darville also cites a study finding that long commute times have negative impacts on absence rates for at-risk students.

Monday, June 2, 2014 in Chalkbeat New York

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