The Massachusetts Department of Transportation recently issued a report based on what the agency calls a “groundbreaking community-based participatory study” that offers new insights into the “lived experiences” of residents using the transportation system in the Springfield, MA, region.
[Above photo by Way Finders]
For that study – entitled the “People and Transportation Project Report” – MassDOT worked with The MassINC Polling Group (MPG), a public opinion research firm based in Boston and Northampton, and Way Finders, a non-profit community development corporation headquartered in Springfield.
Together, they surveyed over 1,600 Way Finders clients and held eight focus groups. MPG also ran a separate survey of 600 residents of Hampden and Hampshire counties making less than $75,000 per year.
A key finding from that research is how much the cost of transportation weighs on lower-income residents. About half (49 percent) of low-income residents in Hampden and Hampshire counties in Western Massachusetts report that their monthly transportation expenses are a burden. Among those getting help from Way Finders, that number rises to 80 percent.
Additionally, nearly half (49 percent) of Way Finders clients say their transportation costs are a “very big burden.” A majority (62 percent) of Way Finders clients say they have missed paying other bills due to the cost of transportation, and 75 percent have been unable to afford to get where they needed to be.
“This report is about more than data. It is about listening to the voices of our neighbors, understanding the challenges they face, and acting on what we learn,” explained Monica Tibbits-Nutt, MassDOT secretary and CEO, in a statement. “By uncovering both the barriers and the opportunities, we can build a transportation system that is more affordable, reliable, and accessible.”
The report also found:
- Driving is the dominant travel mode in both surveys. Way Finders clients are much more likely to have only one car, and most say they could not afford a major repair or borrow another car if needed.
- More than 80 percent of Way Finders clients have been negatively affected by problems with transportation, including being late for or missing appointments (54 percent), being late for work or school (36 percent), skipping medical care (31 percent), and being stranded somewhere (25 percent).
- Getting to Boston is a particular challenge for people in both surveys, especially for medical appointments. Most people in both surveys say they would be likely to ride West-East Rail to Boston.
MassDOT said it plans to use the findings from this study to help plan transportation projects that better meet community needs. Way Finders will use the data to better understand the transportation challenges its clients face and improve its services to help them overcome barriers to economic opportunity.
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