Public Transportation

Transportation is about more than getting from one place to another. It’s about staying connected to the community and having the ability to go to work, see a doctor, buy groceries and meet other basic needs of everyday life. But Alabama’s failure to provide any state funding for public transportation makes it hard for many people in poverty—especially seniors and people with disabilities—to meet those needs. Arise’s advocacy was instrumental in the creation of a state Public Transportation Trust Fund in 2018, and we continue to shine a light on the social and economic benefits that state investment in public transportation would bring in Alabama.

Fact Sheet

Investing in the Public Transportation Trust Fund

Inadequate funding for public transportation keeps thousands of people across Alabama from meeting basic needs. Unreliable bus systems cause people to be late for work, risking the loss of their jobs. If parents have a car that breaks down in rural Alabama, their children may miss doctors’ appointments, school and other activities because public transit options are [...]
Issue
Public Transportation
Date
April 2, 2024
Author
Alabama Arise
Letters & Testimony

Alabama Arise, 81 partner groups urge Alabama to fund public transportation

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) relief funding provides an opportunity for Alabama to jump-start public transportation across the state. Alabama Arise joined 81 partner organizations Wednesday in a letter asking lawmakers to allocate ARPA money to public transportation. The full text of the letter is below. Letter text Dear Governor Ivey, Lieutenant Governor Ainsworth, members [...]
Issues
Budgets, Public Transportation, Coronavirus
Date
June 22, 2022
Author
Report

Alabama’s road to a better public transportation future

Public transportation is an investment in people, communities, the economy and the environment. By providing state funding for public transportation, Alabama lawmakers can help ensure these freedoms for everyone in our state.

Issue
Public Transportation
Date
June 9, 2022
Author
Fact Sheet

Jump-start public transit in Alabama

Alabama’s failure to invest in public transportation is hurting people, communities, the economy and the environment. Many seniors, people with disabilities and people with low incomes need public transit to get to work, medical care, the grocery store and more. Others prefer an energy-saving alternative to cars. The Legislature created the Public Transportation Trust Fund [...]
Issue
Public Transportation
Date
December 22, 2021
Author
Jilisa Milton
Blog

The State of Working Alabama 2021: What policy barriers should Alabama remove on this Labor Day?

It’s Labor Day weekend. The days are ever so slightly cooler. Football season has started. And Alabama’s economy is officially “open for business.” So why are so many jobs still going unfilled in our state? Why are employers looking for workers and not finding them? A look at some very interesting data can provide a [...]
Issues
Economic Opportunity, Coronavirus, Medicaid Expansion, Health, Public Transportation, Safety Net
Date
September 3, 2021
Author
Carol Gundlach
Letters & Testimony

To strengthen the common good: Six principles for allocating Alabama’s ARPA funding

Introduction Dear Governor Ivey, One of the darkest years in recent memory has put Alabama’s families, communities, health system, businesses – and our leaders at all levels – to the test. Thank you for all your efforts to keep Alabamians safe and secure during this unprecedented emergency. Now that a post-COVID world is dawning, the [...]
Issues
Safety Net, Tax Reform, Economic Opportunity, Coronavirus, Medicaid Expansion, Budgets, Criminal Justice, Health, Housing, Public Transportation
Date
July 7, 2021
Author
Alabama Arise
Fact Sheet

Fund public transit to improve lives

Alabama’s public transportation shortfall is hurting people, communities and the economy. Many seniors, people with disabilities, and people with low incomes rely on public transit to go to work, get to the doctor and run essential errands. But Alabama provides no state money to help meet those needs. Here’s why our state should make this [...]
Issue
Public Transportation
Date
February 25, 2020
Author
Alabama Arise
Fact Sheet

Public transit is an investment in Alabama’s future

It’s time to jump-start public transportation in Alabama. Our lack of state support for this vital service is hurting people, communities and the broader economy. Many Alabama seniors, people with disabilities, and people with low incomes rely on public transit to go to work, get to the doctor and run essential errands. Yet unlike almost [...]
Issue
Public Transportation
Date
January 11, 2019
Author
Dev Wakeley
Fact Sheet

A new way forward: The Alabama Public Transportation Trust Fund

Alabama is one of only five states with no state funding for public transportation. That lack of investment makes it difficult or even impossible for tens of thousands of low-income Alabamians to get to work, the doctor’s office or other places they need to go when they need to get there. It also means our [...]
Issue
Public Transportation
Date
January 17, 2018
Author
Alabama Arise
Report

Alabama’s public transportation system needs a tune-up

Alabama's transportation system forces residents to rely too much on automobiles and undermines the state's economic growth, according to "Connecting Our Citizens for Prosperity," an October 2014 report released by Alabama State University's Center for Leadership and Public Policy. Jon Broadway, Ph.D., and ACPP policy analyst Stephen Stetson are the report's authors. Alabama is one of only five states [...]
Issue
Public Transportation
Date
October 29, 2014
Author
Stephen Stetson
All Issue Resources