Public Transit Cuts Hurt Essential Workers Who Need It Most

Smaller transit systems in Great Falls, Montana, and Green Bay, Wisconsin, canceled service, leaving many workers able to drive or walk to work. Some grocery workers in Green Bay report no trouble because many live nearby. For other workers, losing transit access is a worst-case scenario, but commuting during a pandemic also creates concern, especially for workers with children. Ridership has dropped, making social distancing on trains easier, yet time spent on transit remains stressful. In New York City, transit systems continue operating, but being out at all is described as stressful. A survey of 1,000 respondents found two-thirds felt forced to choose between health and financial security, with mixed views on whether the transit agency protects safety. Transit workers face real danger while operating vehicles and infrastructure.

"Smaller systems, like the ones in Great Falls, Montana, and Green Bay, Wisconsin, have canceled service altogether. In those areas, many workers can drive or walk to work. The employees of the Save-a-Lot grocery store in Green Bay haven't had any trouble, says manager Rob Schroeder. "A lot of them actually live close by.""

"Losing the ability to get to his job at Giant Food is a worst-case scenario for Young, but the very act of commuting amid a spreading pandemic- 1,651 people were infected in DC, Maryland, and Virginia as of Friday afternoon-isn't all that much better. A precipitous drop in ridership has made social distancing inside trains easier, but Young would rather not have to spend so much time aboard. "I'm a little concerned," he says. "I've got kids I've gotta go home to.""

"Young's fellow "essential" workers in many places rely on shared modes of transit to get to work. In New York City, most transit systems are still running, but "having to be out at all is a very stressful thing," says Nikki Kateman, the political and communications director for Local 338 of the United Food and Commercial Workers union, which also represents some health care professionals."

"Preliminary results from a 1,000-person survey taken by New York City-based Rider's Alliance last week show that two-thirds of respondents felt the crisis has forced them to choose between their health and financial security. But the respondents split evenly over whether the city's transit agency had done enough to protect their health and safety. Half said they hoped the MTA would maintain regular service levels."

Read at WIRED