“It [transit] enables me to be able to actually support myself financially, find a future outside of what I live in right now.” 

- Youth participant, West Kootenay

Mobility is essential for youth to access school, work, community, and support services. We are very excited to announce the release of our research brief Mobility at a Cost: Barriers to Transportation Access for Low-Income Rural and Urban Youth in BC and Pathways to Equity. Our research explores the layered impacts of inaccessible transit on low-income youth in BC's Lower Mainland and West Kootenay region and proposes recommendations to address mobility poverty for barriered youth in BC. 

You can read our summary of our key research findings and related recommendations here.

Engaging youth with lived experience of mobility poverty

In line with our participatory action research approach, Centre for Family Equity sought to bring in the voices of low-income and marginalized youth that are often absent from transportation research. Two youth peer researchers came on board to inform all aspects of the case study, including outreach, data collection, and analysis.

The case study explored how transportation access affects at-risk youth aged 13-18 who live below the poverty line, are in foster care, are homeless, or are at risk of homelessness, and are impacted by intersectional marginalization due to their identity as Indigenous, racialized, Black, and 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.

Informing our evidence-based policy solutions

This research expanded our understanding of the impact of transit access and mobility poverty on low-income and at-risk youth in BC. Transportation is a substantial expense for low-income households in BC, alongside housing and food. In cities across the province, low-income families are routinely forced to choose between transit fares and other pressing daily needs. The result is measurable exclusion: limited job prospects, missed medical appointments, and diminished access to services and lived-in community opportunities that allow people to thrive. 

Access to affordable and reliable transit is one of the most direct routes out of poverty. Our research and community engagement on equitable access to transit for low-income youth and families point the way to clear policy solutions. Read more on our advocacy for child, youth and family-friendly transit systems and our actionable solutions for how to get there.