When considering the policies, services and programs that impact thousands of students, understanding their personal experiences is crucial to making change and progress.
Our most recent report, released earlier this month, is based on interviews with 274 Baltimore City Public School students. NOT IN SERVICE: Why Public Transit Must Aim To Serve Students shows the impact of an inadequate public transit system that does not provide the service students need to arrive to school on time, pursue internships, jobs and extracurricular activities, or feel safe as they travel. Their stories illustrate consistently late or unpredictable bus arrivals, long commutes (some up to two hours), and exposure to adult fights and sexual harassment along their routes.
These stories have resonated with media, educational and youth organizations, civic leaders and city residents. They have brought attention to this longtime barrier to educational and personal success, which has already resulted in an enthusiastic call for transportation improvements.
Take a look at some of the recent media coverage of NOT IN SERVICE:
- WYPR’s On The Record with Sheilah Kast: “Students Rely On City Transit – Does It Work?”
- WMAR-2 News: “NOT IN SERVICE: Report highlights issues with public transit for students”
- Baltimore Sun: “Baltimore students travel to and from schools on a transportation system that wasn’t designed for them. A new report documents their struggles.”
- Baltimore Sun: Baltimore kids need a more reliable way to get to school | COMMENTARY
- Baltimore Sun: Maryland’s failure to invest in transit has shortchanged Baltimore students | READER COMMENTARY
- Baltimore Fishbowl: Report: Baltimore City students unsatisfied with public transit services
- Baltimore Business Journal: 8 things you need to know today
- WMAR-2 News: “Baltimore City Council Committee holds meeting to hear student experiences riding MTA buses to school”
- WYPR News: “City students face long public transit commutes to school”
- Baltimore Sun: “To close the opportunity gap in Baltimore schools, we must invest in transit”
As we move forward, we will be making presentations to legislators, transportation coalitions, advocacy groups and educational partners. Interested in learning more through a briefing? Email us at info@ffee.org. For more on NOT IN SERVICE, visit https://ffee.org/not-in-service/.