Equity in Transportation

By Allison Donald

As Memphis embarks on the change in leadership with MATA we must continue to push for inclusion, accessibility, and a transportation system that works for everyone. 

On Feb 4, 2024 Transit Equity Day and Rosa Parks’ birthday the work goes on. Regardless of where folks live, access to public transit impacts all Americans. Improving public transit will benefit the environment, our physical health, the economy, socially, culturally, and increase independence.

Over thirteen percent of the Memphis population of 618,626 have disabilities. According to the AAPD, of the nearly two million people with disabilities who never leave their homes, 560,000 never leave their homes because of transportation difficulties. 

Equity in transportation seeks fairness in mobility and accessibility to meet the needs of all community members. A central goal of transportation equity is to facilitate social and economic

opportunities by providing equitable levels of access to affordable and reliable transportation

options based on the needs of the populations being served, particularly populations that are

traditionally underserved. 

This population group includes low income individuals, minority individuals, elderly persons, children, and persons with disabilities. Paratransit service is crucial for those individuals who rely on it to get around. Failure of paratransit to show up or to provide effective service not only causes frustration but can also cause missed health appointments and employment problems for those who need to get to work.

“People always say that I didn’t give up my seat because I was tired, but that isn’t true. I was not tired physically, or no more tired than I usually was at the end of a working day. I was not old, although some people have an image of me as being old then. I was forty-two. No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in” 

• Rosa Parks.

If you have questions about transit equity or how you can become involved in the advocacy

efforts, please contact Disability Connection Midsouth at 901-726-6406 or visit

http://www.disabilitymidsouth.org for the latest updates.