Part One: Critical Thinking Paper
Public transport in America is one of the critical elements of urban infrastructure. However, it faces certain restraints that hamper it from satisfying the multifaceted needs of citizens. This paper discusses transport governance’s social and community factors, addressing the ramifications of scale, history, existing strategies, and a call to policies that deepen equity. Using this analysis, we aim to make recommendations to amend the current situation with the existing public transportation challenges with a future-oriented outlook line for an inclusive and integrated transit system.
Definition of Social Problem
An undeniable social problem that impacts the lives of millions, public transportation in the United States is precisely an issue for everyone relying on it for daily mobility. Public transportation in America relies significantly on the American Public Transportation Association (APTA, 2023), which reports that the total annual trips are over 10 billion annually. However, the situation is still not unbreachable, and the attitude of those who discriminate is still stumbling for marginalized groups due to lack of money capital, old age, or disabilities. These difficulties thus broaden the field of class struggle and limit access to social welfare and economic progress. Therefore, persons confronted with transportation deprivation can hardly proceed with essential functions such as healthcare, education, and employment, which solely depend on their ability to move around. Addressing these inequities is pivotal for building a more inclusive society where everybody can benefit from transportation possibilities.
Historical Influences
The two historical ideologies, U.S. exceptionalism and individualism, are among the most crucial factors America has adopted in public transport. U.S. exceptionalism – based on the notion of America’s unrivalled destinies and superiority – is continuously the cause of a failure to adopt the laws and policies that other advanced nations are the same. Such a mindset assumes that the U.S. way is the best one and stops the rise of public transport as a significant urban infrastructure component (Esposito, 2023). Contrary to this, it has centred on personal car ownership as the symbol of today’s freedom and advancement. Hence, public transportation policies frequently change and are reluctant to take risks that may require consideration of investment or innovation. Accentuating the ownership factor in personal cars reincarnates a car-centric lifestyle, ignoring alternative transport options and aggravating the problems of congestion, pollution, and social distinction. To handle the drawn-out processes of this challenge well and ultimately arrive at the desired eco-roadmap that is sustainable and inclusive, one needs to look deep into the historical ideologies and ask why they are there and why they still need to be fixed.
Furthermore, the doctrine of individualism, an integral part of the American way of life, emphasizes personal freedom and self-reliance. This emphasis on private vehicles and freedom has resulted in the spread of road-based urban planning and the shift in policies towards public transport, almost marginalizing its needs. In turn, public transport is deprived of its position as a service of public interest and community infrastructure, and instead, it is considered a bare social service. Such marginalization Results in the broader access gap and makes the societal gap even higher, e.g. older people, people with disabilities, and low-income people who depend on transportation for mobility (Esposito, 2023). The individualistic idea of what is right or wrong conveniently invalidates the legitimate needs of the collective, thereby undermining the drive to create a sustainable and inclusive transportation system that includes all. Being able to see public transportation as a crucial support of civic infrastructure and encouraging the community’s perspectives that offset the prevailing sense of convenience, allowing everyone to access and move around comfortably, will start the work of building an equitable society.
Current Social Policies:
Despite a multitude of problems, particular social policies tackle the transportation issues. An essential aspect to be highlighted is where the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Capital Investment Grant Program earmarks funds for developing and extending public transportation systems (FTA, 2023). Besides, copper coins and municipalities make the rules, like discounts on tickets for poor passengers or dollars spent on building BRT roads. These programs work on widening accessibility and reducing offensiveness, which helps eliminate socioeconomic disparities in transport access. However, though these policies represent the steps toward the right path, the more comprehensive, long-lasting attempts are the only way to overcome the established problems. Coordinated federal, state, and local cooperative agendas and extensive community engagement are crucially necessary to ensure a successful and equitable establishment of the public transportation system. The investment in public transit should be centred and taken into account when trying to achieve the goal of social justice. Policymakers need to focus on the systematic barriers and create inclusive transportation networks that serve all members of society.
Best Policy Recommendation:
Implementing the ultimate purpose of the social work profession to build social justice in the process of overcoming systemic barriers to equitable mobility necessitates a comprehensive policy approach. Consequently, the creation of the National Public Transportation Equity Fund (NPTEF)is dedicated to the action that federal resources should take toward advancing such efforts throughout the nation. Fulfilling the NPTEF Priority goals would involve providing transit projects such as increasing public transportation access for underserved communities, using sustainable modes of transport, and focusing on socioeconomic equity in mobility and public health elements (American et al. Association, 2023). The NPTEF will emphasize community participation and collaborative decision-making, as well as that marginalized groups address and even participate in determining transportation policies. Through the NPTEF, policymakers may thus contribute positively to the social outcome of more inclusive, equal, and accessible transportation, which means that they can more appropriately support the social justice cause and afford more people equal opportunities to enjoy their right to move.
Conclusion
In essence, public transportation in the United States is a complex social issue that has a certain clinging to historical beliefs and is often ignored by those who pay less attention to systemic discrimination. We can accomplish this task by carefully studying the problem and advising for a socially fair approach in the transportation policy, which would contribute to creating a more equitable, sustainable, and accessible transportation system that meets all the needs of society. It is of utmost urgency that we ensure access to transportation on an equitable basis as the primary human right, which will be an obligation of society and the community. Providing such facilities will enhance social justice and create a fairer society.
Part Two: Oral Argument
Good morning/afternoon, dear legislative committee members. I am [Your Name], and I have been here today to share an expert’s viewpoint regarding the life-saving social issue of public transport in America.
Summary of Findings
Public transportation in the United States is grappling with expensive and limited access, especially for low-income women and other minority and vulnerable communities. In 2023, public transit, reportedly taken by 10.4 billion passengers annually, is essential to cities’ commuter operations (APTA, 2023). However, although the disparities in access persist, social justice inequality remains high, and chances for social inclusion are narrowed.
Policy Advocacy
Given these facts, I recommend the establishment of a National Public Transport Equity Fund (NPTEF). The fund would distribute federal dollars throughout the country to implement discrete initiatives to the public transport sector of the country in a way that favours the transportation efficiency of disadvantaged communities, and it would also encourage cleaner ways of transportation. “Politics can prevent transport development not just through opposition but also due to bureaucracy” (Whiteaker, 2022, np). By commissioning equitable, efficient transport infrastructures, we can tackle mobility disadvantages and improve social justice in our communities.
Alignment with Social Justice
The NPTEF aligns with the pursuit of social justice by prioritizing equitable access to transportation as a fundamental human right. We can build a fairer and more inclusive society by strengthening the community’s voice in setting transport policies and putting our faith in sustainable transportation options.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, solving the public transit problem requires a wide and socially unbiased policy solution. Through the call for the creation of a National Public Transportation Equity Fund, we can jointly develop a transportation system that is both accessible and sustainable and will include every citizen in the coming years. I would like to thank you for your time and hope I was helpful. I will be happy to answer any questions.
References
American Public Transportation Association. (2023, September 28). Public transportation facts.. https://www.apta.com/news-publications/public-transportation-facts/
Esposito, V. (2023, November 14). “unique in the World”: Why does America have such terrible public transit?The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/nov/14/book-lost-subways-north-america-jake-berman
Whiteaker, J. (2022, September 28). What killed public transport in the U.S.? Investment Monitor. https://www.investmentmonitor.ai/features/what-killed-public-transport-in-the-us/
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