Lack of Access to Public Transportation Among Suburban Populations in Pennsylvania

Amy Choi, Arunima Das, Jaden Scutero, and Mark Ma

Public transportation should be a convenient and accessible resource for everyone, but it has become a significant issue for suburban populations in Pennsylvania. These areas face unique challenges that contribute to transportation inequities, making it difficult for residents to access vital services, jobs, and community resources. Many rural residents find themselves in a difficult situation, as low-income communities often have less access to public transit. This lack of transportation creates additional barriers to basic necessities and employment opportunities.
With our car-centered culture, public transportation issues often get overlooked, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, many transit services were reduced or suspended, disproportionately impacting suburban residents. The drop in public transit ridership during this time has not fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority has indicated that without state aid, they may need to cut services by 20%.
Through this mapping effort, we aim to shed light on the barriers to public transportation in suburban areas and advocate for a more equitable system that connects communities and empowers residents.