Transit Equity Day

Samantha Dynowski

"I believe we are here on the planet Earth to live, grow up and do what we can to make this world a better place for all people to enjoy freedom." — Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus in 1955, a catalyst for the civil rights movement. By doing so, she was also affirming that everyone has the right to equal public transportation. On February 4, the anniversary of Rosa Parks’ birthday, Transit Equity Day will take place around the United States to continue her legacy of transit equity and justice.

In Connecticut, pollution from transportation accounts for 38% of all greenhouse gas emissions. An important part of the solution is getting residents out of their cars and into a modern, accessible, convenient, zero-emission mass transit system. And for those that don’t own cars in the first place, better transit options are absolutely essential.

Transit Equity Day events and actions on February 4 will highlight that everyone has a right to a public mass transit system. This includes:

Safe, reliable, environmentally-sustainable, and affordable transit that is accessible to all, regardless of income, national origin, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, or ability.
A cost-effective public transit system that reliably connects people in all communities to the places we need to travel in as efficient, and timely a manner as possible.
Living wages, benefits, safe working conditions, and union rights for transit workers (including those who manufacture transit equipment) and access to family-sustaining transit jobs and training opportunities for people from underserved communities.
A just transition for workers and communities who are dependent on our current automobile and highway-centered transportation system, to ensure that no one is left behind as we transition to a more public, accessible, and cleaner transit-based system.
Rapid transition of our transit systems and school buses to electrified, non-polluting transit powered by electricity from renewables.
Safe, healthy, and livable neighborhoods that are connected by public transportation and by safe bicycle pathways and sidewalks and reduce single occupancy vehicle miles traveled.

Honor Rosa Parks and support a strong public transit system on Transit Equity Day by participating in the actions taking place in Connecticut on February 4. See Transit Equity Day events here.

Samantha Dynowski is State Director, Sierra Club Connecticut.