Since 1776 July fourth has been recognized as a celebration of America’s independence from Great Britain. Across the nation, communities gather with food, parades, and fireworks to mark the occasion. Before you begin your method of celebration, join our department in using this holiday to showcase the freedom of transit by analyzing the nation’s progress to increase transit accessibility for all.
Transportation is crucial in creating independence and mobility to access daily needs, but it has not always been accessible for all.
In 1896 the Plessy v. Ferguson Supreme Court Case made segregation in transit legal due to Louisiana’s “separate but equal” law. In this case, it was illegal for African Americans to sit in train cars with White passengers. Separate train cars made it possible for African Americans to travel to their destination; however, the train cars for African Americans did not have the same amenities as the White train cars, including bathrooms and luggage racks.
This law was not overturned until 1956 in the Browder v. Gale Supreme Court Case, which ruled that segregated transportation violated the 14th Amendment. In the years leading up to that change, there were countless arrests, protests, and boycotts of unfair and segregated transit services nationwide. Notable moments include the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a 13-month-long protest of segregated buses. During the bus boycott, organizers walked to reach their destinations and later formed a carpool and taxi service. The protesters faced opposition and violence for their courageous efforts but continued advocating for fairness in transit. Their efforts were supported by law in December of 1956 when the state of Alabama implemented the Supreme Court’s ruling.
After 1956 African Americans had equal access to transportation, but issues of accessibility continued for other groups, including those with disabilities. In the late 1960s, leading into the 80s, organizers began advocating for wheelchair accessibility on public transportation. The ADAPT organization (American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today) was formed in 1983 and led grassroots efforts to create a national policy to mandate wheelchair lifts on public transportation. After many court cases and unsuccessful legal progress, change finally happened with the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. This law requires that individuals with disabilities have equal access to transportation with lifts, wheelchair seating, and sidewalks.
In 2020, the nation began taking steps to define transportation equity to ensure transit access remained accessible and fair for everyone. Cities, including Durham, introduced fare-free transit to reduce the global pandemic’s negative economic effects to support the community. The freedom of transit has continued into fiscal year 23-24.
As we celebrate another year of our nation’s freedom, let’s recognize how far transit access has come. Freedom in transportation is essential to ensure accessibility remains the standard for all to be mobile. Happy Birthday, America, we thank you for your continued progress to make this country a better place for all to live and thrive.