Since 1983, the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. have been celebrated on the third Monday of January. His commitment to ensuring fairness and dignity for everyone, whether in schools, jobs, or transportation, continues to play a vital role in inspiring policy standards that prioritize accessibility for all. This holiday, our department will reflect on Dr. King’s impact on promoting fairness in transportation and share our efforts to increase transit accessibility for all.
Historical Background and Impact:
In 1896, the Supreme Court case Plessy v. Ferguson made segregation in transportation legal under Louisiana’s “separate but equal” law, forcing African Americans into separate train cars that lacked the amenities of those used by White passengers. This ruling remained in place until 1956, when Browder v. Gayle declared segregated transportation unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment. In the years leading up to this decision, arrests, protests, and boycotts challenged unfair transit systems nationwide, including the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. helped organize as president of the Montgomery Improvement Association. The 13-month boycott relied on walking and carpools despite violence and opposition, and Alabama enforced its success in December 1956.
Although African Americans gained equal access to transportation after the Browder v. Gail ruling, accessibility issues persisted for people with disabilities, leading to advocacy efforts from the late 1960s through the 1980s. In 1983, the ADAPT (Americans with Disabilities for Attendant Programs Today) organization was formed to advocate for accessible public transportation for people with disabilities. After years of legal struggle, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 mandated equal access to transportation, including lifts, wheelchair seating, and accessible sidewalks. Through these movements, Dr. King’s legacy demonstrated how peaceful protest could challenge discrimination and advance civil rights in the public transportation sector.
What We’re Doing in Durham:
Fare Free Transit and Route Expansions:
Our department is dedicated to ensuring that GoDurham remains a safe, reliable, and accessible mode of transportation for all. Since 2020, our bus service has been fare-free, providing our riders with ease of not having to pay for transportation as the cost of living continues to rise. Our Mobility Services division has successfully expanded multiple routes and increased bus frequency in areas with our highest ridership. We’ve also invested in technology called Transit Signal Priority, which sends signals to the traffic lights to ensure our buses remain on schedule.
Durham Station Improvements:
One of our department’s most significant improvements to our bus service is the ongoing improvements to Durham Station. Durham’s transit hub is undergoing a significant upgrade to support our expanding transit network, including enhanced security features, weather-protected canopies, and outdoor restrooms to assist our riders during quick bus transfers.
GoDurham ACCESS:
Since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), significant improvements and requirements have been implemented in public transportation. All buses are now required to be equipped with lift ramps to assist passengers who are unable to step on or off the bus due to stairs or high steps. Additionally, public transit systems must provide ADA paratransit services for individuals with disabilities who are unable to use accessible fixed-route transportation.
The City of Durham’s paratransit service is known as GoDurham ACCESS. This service offers eligible riders curb-to-curb transportation, with door-to-door service available upon request, within the GoDurham service area. For detailed information regarding eligibility, service policies, scheduling, and fares, riders can download the GoDurham ACCESS Service Mobility Guide.
Transit Emphasis Corridor:
In addition to ensuring our riders have access to transportation regardless of their ability, we also strive to provide a safe and dignified environment in our transit facilities. Whether it’s improving lighting, implementing bus shelters, seating, and trash cans, or enhancing bus stop connectivity through sidewalks and crosswalks, our department is committed to maintaining high standards for our riders. The Transit Emphasis Corridor project, formerly known as the Better Bus Project, supports the City’s efforts to ensure our bus stops reflect the adequate needs of our riders. Key elements of this project include improvements to enhance safety, visibility, and security on the Holloway Street Corridor and Village Transit Center (the City’s highest ridership area).
Bus Rapid Transit:
One of the new projects our department is very excited about is the City’s upcoming Bus Rapid Transit. The City’s Central Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project is a high-quality, high-capacity transit system designed to provide fast, efficient, and comfortable bus service. Often compared to rail service on rubber tires, BRT features dedicated travel lanes, real-time arrival information, and enhanced stations. As the City continues to grow rapidly, BRT offers an effective way to reduce traffic congestion by expanding transportation options for residents and visitors. This year, the project initiated a feasibility study to gather public input, evaluate potential neighborhood impacts, identify appropriate locations, and coordinate planning efforts with partner agencies.
Next month, as we honor the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, we will also celebrate the continued efforts to ensure accessibility for all remains the standard. We are proud of our work in keeping our community moving and ensuring that all our riders can ride with dignity.