Local and Urban Politics
E13 - What is “public” about public transportation? (Part 1)
Date: Jun 13 | Time: 01:45pm to 03:15pm | Location:
Chair/Président/Présidente : Patricia Wood (York University)
Discussant/Commentateur/Commentatrice : Theresa Enright (University of Toronto)
Public, Private, or Common Transportation?: Theresa Enright (University of Toronto)
Abstract: Transit networks are objects of intense political contestation and are key terrains of struggle in cities around the world. Essential to contemporary urbanization, transit networks are a strategic link in the interrelated crises of urban poverty, social reproduction, security, racism, democracy and climate. In this paper, I consider transit as a critical infrastructure of oppression and resistance and as a key platform for political and social change. Drawing on transit-oriented mobilizations in several cities, I trace how practices of commoning transit are striving to organize mobility in resistance to state apparatuses of violence, domination, exclusion, and exploitation. Building on this, I question the political and practical utility of private, public, and common forms of organizing and governing mobility.
Free Public Transit for Youth Experiencing Homelessness: Breaking Barriers to Access and Impacts on Social Exclusion: Noah A. Kelly (McGill University)
Abstract: For people experiencing homelessness, transportation poverty significantly contributes to experiences of social exclusion (Murphy, 2019), criminalization (Douglas, 2011), and barriers to accessing support services needed to break cycles of homelessness (Scott et al., 2020). Among youth, early intervention is essential in preventing recurring and chronic homelessness (Chamberlain & Mackenzie, 1998; Chamberlain & Johnson, 2008). Ensuring access to essential services by breaking mobility barriers is thus a key aspect of preventing chronic homelessness among youth. This paper explores the impact of a three-month free public transit intervention on housing security, access to support services, education, safety, criminalization, and physical health among 36 youth experiencing homelessness in Toronto. Additionally, the impact of increased mobility on mental health and feelings of social inclusion were observed. Methods: We utilize a mixed-methods approach, using pre and post-intervention focus groups, a longitudinal survey, and comparing pre-intervention travel diaries to geospatial data gathered from participant transit cards. Findings: Pre-intervention, transportation poverty was experienced by all participants. The severity of transportation poverty was dictated by structural factors, including participant transience and financial security, transportation supports offered at each shelter, ease of fare evasion, and experiences of physical and psychic safety on transit. During and after the intervention, improvements in social inclusion, employment, financial security, mental health, physical health, and access to health services were observed. Secure access to mobility elicited feelings of self-determination and social citizenship among participants, shifting feelings of belonging, long-term planning, and inspired ontologies of hope.
Free Public Transit for Youth Experiencing Homelessness: Breaking Barriers to Access and Impacts on Social Exclusion: Noah A. Kelly (McGill University)
Abstract: For people experiencing homelessness, transportation poverty significantly contributes to experiences of social exclusion (Murphy, 2019), criminalization (Douglas, 2011), and barriers to accessing support services needed to break cycles of homelessness (Scott et al., 2020). Among youth, early intervention is essential in preventing recurring and chronic homelessness (Chamberlain & Mackenzie, 1998; Chamberlain & Johnson, 2008). Ensuring access to essential services by breaking mobility barriers is thus a key aspect of preventing chronic homelessness among youth. This paper explores the impact of a three-month free public transit intervention on housing security, access to support services, education, safety, criminalization, and physical health among 36 youth experiencing homelessness in Toronto. Additionally, the impact of increased mobility on mental health and feelings of social inclusion were observed. Methods: We utilize a mixed-methods approach, using pre and post-intervention focus groups, a longitudinal survey, and comparing pre-intervention travel diaries to geospatial data gathered from participant transit cards. Findings: Pre-intervention, transportation poverty was experienced by all participants. The severity of transportation poverty was dictated by structural factors, including participant transience and financial security, transportation supports offered at each shelter, ease of fare evasion, and experiences of physical and psychic safety on transit. During and after the intervention, improvements in social inclusion, employment, financial security, mental health, physical health, and access to health services were observed. Secure access to mobility elicited feelings of self-determination and social citizenship among participants, shifting feelings of belonging, long-term planning, and inspired ontologies of hope.
Views and Values of Elected Officials on Transportation Equity: Orly Linovski (University of Manitoba)
Abstract: Arguably, the distribution of transportation benefits is mediated through elected officials, who are instrumental in framing the goals and priorities of these investments (Hay & Trinder, 1991; Taylor, Kim, & Gahbauer, 2009). Despite this, scholars note that as a field rooted in a technical-rational model, research on transportation often treats politicians and policymakers as “exogenous to the decision-making process”, rather than seeking to understand the complexity of political contexts, power, and legitimacy (Marsden & Reardon, 2017, p. 245). With little research that specifically assesses whether and how politicians value equity in transportation policies, it is difficult to see how transportation processes can become more just. This research addresses these gaps by examining how local elected officials view and understand transportation equity, and the implications of this for equitable outcomes and practices.
This research used a mixed-method approach, drawing on a national survey (n = 165) and in-depth interviews (n = 38) with councillors and mayors to better understand (1) their values related to transportation equity and (2) how they view equity-seeking groups and communities. Our findings show that elected officials have divergent values related to transportation equity, with little concurrence in how equity-deserving communities are identified and what types of barriers they face. Critically, we find little support among elected officials for policies that prioritize structurally disadvantaged communities, rather than provide benefits to the greatest number of people. These findings point to the need for foundational discussions about normative values for both elected officials and transportation professionals.