More Than a Trend: Transit Agencies Address Equity in Own Organizations, Communities
Agencies Celebrate Transit Equity Day
Here are the ways transit agencies are celebrating Transit Equity Day on Feb. 4.
February 8, 2023
The sixth-annual Transit Equity Day celebrates the birthday of Rosa Parks.
Photo: METRO/Canva
3 min to read
Transit agencies across the U.S. have announced how they are celebrating and giving back to their respective communities on Transit Equity Day.
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), in partnership with Metrolink, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT), and the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) announced they will all offer free rides on buses, trains, and other public transportation services on Transit Equity Day, Saturday, Feb. 4.
Metro and Metrolink will also promote special discount fare programs.
The sixth-annual Transit Equity Day celebrates the birthday of Rosa Parks, a civil rights icon who, by refusing to give up her seat on a public transit bus in 1955, helped launch the civil rights movement in the U.S.
"Metro is proud to join with its sister transportation agencies to honor the legacy of Rosa Parks by ensuring that our public transportation services are free for everyone on Transit Equity Day," said Ara J. Najarian, Metro board chair. "By facilitating access to jobs, school, shopping, and other important destinations, we can greatly impact people’s lives and help them achieve their dreams. In the spirit of Rosa Parks’ legacy, Metro is now working to make transit more affordable and accessible every day for our most disadvantaged daily transit riders."
Metro will provide free rides on its bus, rail, bikeshare, and Metro Micro rideshare services on Saturday. All Metro rail station turnstiles will be unlocked, allowing unrestricted access to the rail system. On Metro Buses, bus riders will not need to TAP their fare cards at fare validators or fare boxes.
Metro Bike Share and Metro Micro will be offering free rides that day, as well. Users can redeem their Metro Bike Share 30-minute free ride by selecting ‘1-Ride’ at any Metro Bike Share kiosk, online, or in the Metro Bike Share app, and using code 020423. The code may be used multiple times throughout the day.
Metrolink will also honor the legacy of Rosa Parks by providing free fares on Saturday.
Metro will also enable rider enrollment in the agency’s reduced and low-income fare initiatives, including GoPass and Low-Income Fare is Easy (LIFE) regional transit assistance programs.
Meanwhile, the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) announced all CATS bus routes, paratransit, the LYNX Blue Line, and the City LYNX Gold Line will be fare-free in honor of Transit Equity Day.
The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) will waive transit fares for Transit Equity Day. Riders can ride at no charge on all RTA buses, streetcars, and ferries.
This fare suspension is the result of the RTA Board of Commissioners adopting the agency Fare Policy on September 27, 2022.
The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) announced the winners of its third annual Rosa Parks Tribute Scholarship essay contest ahead of Transit Equity Day.
The winners are Ryan Withers (Franklin High School), Einthiri Mudili (University School of Milwaukee), and Alyssa Ruiz (Carmen School of Science and Technology).
The three students chosen will each receive a $1,000 scholarship toward their higher education, according to the agency.
More Management
FIFA World Cup Matches Are Driving Record Transit Ridership Nationwide
See how World Cup matches are generating record transit demand across North America, with ridership surpassing Super Bowls, concerts, and Olympic-era events.
Read More →
The Hidden Cost of Fuel Data Inaccuracy in Public Transit Fleets
In today's transit environment, accurate fuel and mileage data are critical to reducing costs, minimizing downtime, and improving fleet performance.
Read More →
Virginia's $28.5B Transportation Plan Targets Transit and Rail
Approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board, the program supports ongoing infrastructure projects while providing new investments in transit, state of good repair and transportation alternatives.
Read More →
Latinos In Transit Seeks Host Organization for 2027 Leadership Summit
The selected host organization will showcase its transit system, projects, and community while welcoming hundreds of industry leaders and emerging professionals during Hispanic Heritage Month.
Read More →
Bipartisan BUSES Act Seeks Changes to New York City's Bus Idling Enforcement Program
Backed by motorcoach operators, the legislation seeks to balance emissions goals with passenger safety by allowing limited idling for inspections, accessibility needs and extreme weather conditions.
Read More →
DOT: Brightline Corridor Incidents Fall 30% Following Federal Safety Upgrades
Safety improvements funded through a $25 million federal investment are credited with reducing trespassing and train-vehicle collisions along the Brightline Florida corridor.
Read More →
D Line Expansion Fuels Growth Across LA Metro's Rail System
Weekend rail ridership was especially strong, soaring 18% as riders embraced expanded access to jobs, entertainment, dining, and cultural destinations, said the agency. Total system ridership for May, including bus and rail, was 26,966,657.
Read More →
Q4 Travel Data Reveals Drop in Vehicle Traffic to Manhattan Congestion Zone
NYMTC’s quarterly Travel Patterns Report provides a snapshot of travel activity throughout New York City, Long Island, the Lower Hudson Valley, and northern New Jersey using data collected from the agencies operating the region’s bridges, tunnels, and public transit systems.
Read More →
Southern California's Metrolink Debuts Contactless Fare Payment Pilot
Customers traveling between Redlands and Los Angeles can now tap their preferred payment method, including a credit or debit card, mobile wallet, or wearable device, at station validators before boarding and again while exiting.
Read More →
California's BART Approves FY27 Budget While Maintaining Service Levels
The budget covers July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, a period when pandemic emergency funds run out, the District faces a structural deficit of $375 million, and a regional transit funding measure may appear on the November ballot.
Read More →