Access to Jobs

Transportation plays a vital role in our society. One major area that transportation affects is jobs. Unfortunately, traveling to jobs is more often easier said than done, particularly for those without access to fast, reliable transportation. In almost every city, automobiles remain the fastest and most reliable way to get around. However, minorities and lower-income individuals have significantly lower rates of car ownership.

In addition, the shift of jobs, in particular entry-level and low-skill jobs, from the central city to the suburbs caused a mismatch between residential and employment locations. The growth of jobs in suburban locations that are difficult and often impossible to reach by conventional transit service has created a genuine problem for low-income households without access to reliable automobiles.

As a result, federal, state, and local transportation agencies are working to improve access to jobs.

Working to improve access to jobs in the Baltimore region In response to a federal transit program, the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board developed a comprehensive area-wide approach to providing transportation services to welfare recipients and low-income people regardless of jurisdictional boundaries. As a result, the Regional Job Access and Reverse Commute Transportation Plan was prepared to help guide funding recommendations and long-term service planning. This plan is not meant to supersede, but to build upon existing area welfare to work transportation planning activities. The plan’s contents follow the outline prescribed by the Federal Transit Administration in its Job Access and Reverse Commute grant program.

Usually on an annual basis, the BRTB reviews requests for funding that are then submitted to the Mass Transit Administration for consideration and submission to the Federal Transit Administration. The BRTB considers a number of different factors when making recommendations come from the Regional Job Access and Reverse Commute Transportation Plan. Learn more about the criteria that the BRTB uses…

For more information:
Monica Haines Benkhedda, mhaines@baltometro.org or 410-732-0500 x1047.


Links within this web site:

Citizens Advisory Committee

Environmental justice


Links outside this web site:

Federal Transit Administration - JARC Program

Last Updated on Friday, 22 January 2010 16:34