Public Transportation Subsidies and Racial Equity

This report explores the intersection between the distribution of public resources and racial equity, providing a comprehensive analysis of how public transportation funding policies affect New Yorkers of different demographic characteristics.

By examining public subsidies for the subway, NYC Ferry system,  and the Fair Fares discount program, it addresses the difference in the modes of transportation used by New York City residents of different income, and racial groups in 2019 (right before the pandemic) and in 2022 (as the economy started to recover), to equitably help more low-income New Yorker have access to economic opportunities across the city. The findings recommend increasing the Fair Fares eligibility ceiling to incomes of 200 percent of the federal poverty line to promote fairness and support economic development for all racial groups.

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