Universal Basic Mobility

Expanding mobility is a positive step toward making cities more accessible and inclusive for all. The cities of Los Angeles and Pittsburgh have launched pilot universal basic mobility programs that give low-income residents access to mobility services, such as transit or shared mobility programs, to advance social and economic development goals. In Oakland, California, the city gave out $300 debit cards to East Oakland residents for a variety of transit options. Users reported that this money allowed them to save for necessities such as groceries.

In a similar vein, Los Angeles and other U.S. cities, including Kansas City, Missouri, Columbus, Ohio, and Boston, have piloted discounted or free transit programs to help riders save money and make transit more accessible to low-income residents. However, data from these pilots show that factors such as the first-mile/last-mile issue and inconvenient schedules, frequencies, or routes are also key in enabling transit use. Planners should evaluate the outcomes of these programs to determine if similar approaches may improve mobility access for all in their communities.