Transit

In any well-planned city, public transit is the backbone of urban mobility. A successful transit system's combination of capacity, reliability, speed, comfortable amenities, and efficiency is something no other mode can come close to matching. Transit incorporates numerous methods of travel, ranging from its two most common forms than can be seen almost anywhere -- buses and trains, both of which in themselves come in many types  -- to more specialized vehicle types designed for specific topographies, such as ferries or aerial gondolas. To maximize a system's potential, transfers between not only different types of transit but also between transit and other transportation modes must be seamless and easy.

Around the world, there is a consistent correlation between national income and transit service -- wealthy countries can afford to build better transportation systems and move their citizens in the most efficient manner possible. But due to the power of special interest groups many parts of the U.S. have chosen to construct infrastructure more closely resembling that of the developing world than that of an advanced, modern society. In these locations, transit is viewed not as the vital lifeline that it is, but rather as a low-quality social service for poor, elderly, or handicapped citizens. While it is true that one of transit's many advantages over private automobiles is its ability to accommodate those who are physically or financially unable to own a car and drive, this incorrect and discriminatory stereotype sets society back and harms our quality of life. Through our work here at Freedom of Transit, we aim to redefine public perception and overcome the efforts of those who work to keep flawed stereotypes alive for their own sinister purposes.