This short report summarizes the literature related to youth and transit, with a focus on demand, barriers, youth advocacy, various types of passes (i.e., U-PASS, free or reduced-fares), and active transportation

Marchbank, Jennifer

Reed, Kathleen

Travers

Simon Fraser University Institutional Repository

 1 EVIDENCE BRIEF: YOUTH AND PUBLIC TRANSIT   Historically, youth (13-25) have been one of the most active user groups of public transit in Canada, accounting for one-third of ridership nation-wide, and up to two-thirds in cities such as Moose Jaw, SK and Red Deer, AB (Canadian Urban Transit Association, 2004). Despite their high usage of public transportation, youth as a specific category of riders have received an underwhelming amount of focus by academics and transit authorities. This can be partially attributed to a lack of available data. Of the academic literature and media reports over the last 10 years, major themes include: demand, barriers, youth advocacy, various types of passes (i.e., U-PASS, free or reduced-fares), and active transportation.   DEMAND Youth are using public transportation at a higher rate than both current adults and youth in previous generations, and are reducing private vehicle usage (Davis et al., 2012; Delclòs-alió & Miralles-guasch, 2019; Grimsrud & El-Geneidy, 2013a, 2014b; Kuhnimhof et al., 2012; Newbold & Scott, 2018a). A key question in the literature is if high transit use will continue as young riders age. Research from Montreal attempted to answer this question comparing work and school commuting data from 1998, 2003, and 2008 in Greater Montreal. They found that young people use transit at an increased rate compared to similar cohorts in previous years, although this usage decreases over time until stabilizing in the 30s (Grimsrud & El-Geneidy, 2014a). At this point of stabilization, however, transit usage remains much higher than previous generations, and the authors expect this trend to continue (Grimsrud & El-Geneidy, 2013b). However, Agarwal (2017) argues that it is important not to assume that Canadian youths’ eschewing of private vehicles for transit will continue, as does Brown et al. (2016) in a US context. Agarwal (2017) and Newbold & Scott (2018b) both note that investment in useful, reliable, and safe transit must occur to support the continued use of transit.  BARRIERS A lack of accessible public transit leads youth to report physical, economic, and social barriers to full participation in society (e.g., Fresh Voices, 2018; Kersten et al., 2020; Wayland et al., 2020). Thus, it is important to identify the barriers to transit use. The cost of transit is routinely cited in the literature and media reports as being a key barrier to youths’ use of public transportation (e.g., Auguste et al., 2020; Los Angeles County School Attendance Task Force, 2012; Marzoughi, 2011; Novak, 2019; Stein & Grigg, 2019).  Equity-deserving members of society, including those who are racialized, disabled, LGBTQ+, newcomers to Canada, and/or who experience poverty also report specific barriers to public transit use related to racism, sexism, ableism, and queer/transphobia (e.g., Ceccato et al., 2020; Ceccato & Loukaitou-Sideris, 2021; Fresh Voices, 2018; Kersten et al., 2020; Lindsay, 2020; Lindsay & Lamptey, 2019; Roberts et al., 2019a; Wayland et al., 2020). Aside from these financial and safety concerns, lack of service – particular in suburban and rural areas – and inconvenient stops and hours of operation pose barriers to using using public transit (Litman, 2017; Marzoughi, 2011; Thomas, 2010). Finally, a lack of knowledge is also reported as an obstacle (Auguste et al., 2020; Thomas, 2010).  YOUTH ADVOCACY & TRANSIT AUTHORITIES Transportation system officials around the world are attempting to boost youth ridership numbers, and involving youth in public transportation planning is seen as one avenue in which to accomplish this goal. This includes efforts in Jordan (Youth for the Future, 2014), Bangladesh (Anik et al., 2020), the UAE (Moussly, 2011), and Australia (Richards, 2014). In Portland, OR, researchers worked  2 with youth to create and assess transit messaging aimed at increasing ridership and positive attitudes toward transit (Shafer & Macary, 2018).   FARE TYPES (e.g., free, reduced-fare, U-PASS) Free and reduced-fare transit for youth and/or students is a subject of increasing interest globally, including among Canadian municipal and provincial governments (e.g., B.C. Rolling out Free Transit for Kids Starting in September, 2021; Saltman, 2018; Tank, 2016). Due to growing attention to the subject, a separate two-page summary of academic literature and media coverage is available. As for universal access passes (U-PASS), most academic research demonstrates that these programs work in increasing ridership and decreasing private vehicle use (Han et al., 2019; Zhou, 2016), and are beneficial to both students and transit programs (Saphores et al., 2020). In Canada, however, most program assessments and guides concerning the implementation of U-Pass programs are more than a decade old (e.g. Faucher, 2011; Noxon Research Associates, 2004; Wu et al., 2004), reflecting the fact that these programs are well-established in many institutions. Only recently has there been renewed discussion of UPASS programs, largely due to the Ontario Ford government’s “Student Choice Initiative,” which limits compulsory ancillary fees (e.g., Butler & Sweet, 2020; “No Discounted Public Transit Pass for Sheridan College Students in Oakville,” 2019)  ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION Active transportation (AT) is another area in which there is investigation into adults and children but little research on youth. Active transportation is any form of human-powered travel (i.e., walking, cycling). As almost every transit trip begins and/or ends with a form of active transportation, transit systems are frequently included in this scholarship. Research in this area tends to focus more on children than youth, examining the link between public transit, free fares (e.g., Gase et al., 2014; Jones et al., 2012; Pesola et al., 2020), and school travel (e.g., Voss et al., 2015). Roberts et al. (2019b) consider how youth inhabiting disadvantaged racial, gender, and class social locations engage in active transportation less than privileged youth.   RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICY AND PRACTICE Based on a review of the evidence, the following would enhance public transit for youth:  • Establish youth transit advisory committees  • Improve or implemented public transit education for youth (ideally youth-led) • Improve safety • Improve service at night and on weekends  • Use of a transportation equity or mobility justice framework to guide transit planning • Record and publish national data related to ridership statistics and demographics   More detailed recommendations can be found in our full report.  Kathleen Reed, MLIS, MA, Vancouver Island University Jennifer Marchbank, PhD & Travers, PhD, Simon Fraser University December 2021 Funded by SSHRC Knowledge Synthesis Grant – Mobility and Public Transit (2020), Grant #872-2020-1005 A larger knowledge synthesis of literature related to youth and public transit (2010-2021) may be found at: https://viurrspace.ca/handle/10613/25235   3 REFERENCES  Agarwal, A. (2017). Emerging mobility patters of the Millennials in Canada. In M. Moos, D. Pfeiffer, & T. Vinodrai (Eds.), The Millennial city: Trends, implications, and prospects for urban planning and policy. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315295657 Anik, M. A. H., Sadeek, S. N., Hossain, M., & Kabir, S. (2020). A framework for involving the young generation in transportation planning using social media and crowd sourcing. Transport Policy, 97, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2020.06.006 Auguste, M. E., Tucker, A., & Jackson, E. D. (2020). “More sidewalks, more bus stops”: Travel behaviors and opinions of Connecticut teenagers. Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 8, 100238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trip.2020.100238 Australia: Youth-led art piece to transform High Wycombe Station entry. (2021, May 12). Tenders Info, 1–2. Bayswater wall mural completed. (2018, September 4). Eastern Suburbs Reporter, 1–2. B.C. rolling out free transit for kids starting in September. (2021, August 9). CTV News. https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/b-c-rolling-out-free-transit-for-kids-starting-in-september-1.5540194 Brown, A. E., Blumenberg, E., Taylor, B. D., & Ralph, K. (2016). A taste for transit? Analyzing public transit use trends among youth. Journal of Public Transportation, 19(1), 49–67. Butler, A., & Sweet, M. (2020). No free rides: Winners and losers of the proposed Toronto Transit Commission U-Pass program. Transport Policy, 96, 15–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2020.05.019 Caldwell, F. (2014, April 10). Young pollies make a mark. City South News, 1–2. Canadian Urban Transit Association. (2004). Transit’s next generation. https://cutaactu.ca/sites/default/files/issuepaperno.8_transitsnextgeneration_workingwithcanadasyouth.pdf Ceccato, V., & Loukaitou-Sideris, A. (2021). Sexual harassment in transit environments among college students in the #MeToo era: Reporting evidence from six continents. American Journal of Criminal Justice, 46(1), 107–129. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12103-020-09583-9 Ceccato, V., Näsman, P., & Langefors, L. (2020). Sexual violence on the move: An assessment of youth’s victimization in public transportation. Women & Criminal Justice, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/08974454.2020.1733732 Davis, B., Dutzik, T., & Baxandall, P. (2012). Transportation and the new generation: Why young people are driving less and what it means for transportation policy. Frontier Group, U.S. PIRG Education Fund. Delclòs-alió, X., & Miralles-guasch, C. (2019). Youth mobility and territorial disparities: An analysis of urban and rural Barcelona. Geographical Review, 109(3), 399–415. https://doi.org/10.1111/gere.12321 Faucher, E. (2011). The 31% solution: University transit pass program at the Université de Sherbrooke [Université de Sherbrooke]. https://tram.mcgill.ca/Teaching/srp/documents/Etienne.pdf Framework for student discount card launched. (2011, January 4). Plus Patent News, 1–2. Fresh Voices. (2018). Fresh voices: Employment, mobility, and integration. https://www.vancouverfoundation.ca/about-us/publications/youth-engagement-surveys-and-reports/fresh-voices-employment-mobility-and Gase, L., Kuo, T., Teutsch, S., & Fielding, J. (2014). Estimating the costs and benefits of providing free public transit passes to students in Los Angeles county: Lessons learned in applying a health lens  4 to decision-making. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 11(11), 11384–11397. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph111111384 Grimsrud, M., & El-Geneidy, A. (2013a). Driving transit retention to renaissance: Trends in Montreal commute public transport mode share and factors by age group and birth cohort. Public Transport, 5(3), 219–241. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12469-013-0075-7 Grimsrud, M., & El-Geneidy, A. (2013b). Driving transit retention to renaissance: Trends in Montreal commute public transport mode share and factors by age group and birth cohort. Public Transport, 5(3), 219–241. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12469-013-0075-7 Grimsrud, M., & El-Geneidy, A. (2014a). Transit to eternal youth: Lifecycle and generational trends in Greater Montreal public transport mode share. Transportation, 41(1), 1–19. http://dx.doi.org.proxy.lib.sfu.ca/10.1007/s11116-013-9454-9 Grimsrud, M., & El-Geneidy, A. (2014b). Transit to eternal youth: Lifecycle and generational trends in Greater Montreal public transport mode share. Transportation, 41(1), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11116-013-9454-9 Han, D., Yu, J., Beimborn, E., Jin, Z., & Tan, W. (2019). Elements of successful universal student transit pass programs from planning to implementation: A benchmark study. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2673(4), 833–843. https://doi.org/10.1177/0361198119834916 Jacobson, D. (2014, November 12). Giving back. Star Tribune, 1–3. Jones, A., Steinbach, R., Roberts, H., Goodman, A., & Green, J. (2012). Rethinking passive transport: Bus fare exemptions and young people’s wellbeing. Health & Place, 18(3), 605–612. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2012.01.003 Kersten, M. L., Coxon, K., Lee, H., & Wilson, N. J. (2020). Traversing the community is uncertain, socially complex and exhausting: Autistic youth describe experiences of travelling to participate in their communities. Journal of Transport & Health, 18, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2020.100922 Kuhnimhof, T., Wirtz, M., & Kalinowska, D. (2012). Travel trends among young adults in Germany: Increasing multimodality and declining car use for men. Journal of Transportation Geography, 24, 443–450. Lindsay, S. (2020). Accessible and inclusive transportation for youth with disabilities: Exploring innovative solutions. Disability and Rehabilitation, 42(8), 1131–1140. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2018.1517194 Lindsay, S., & Lamptey, D.-L. (2019). Pedestrian navigation and public transit training interventions for youth with disabilities: A systematic review. Disability and Rehabilitation, 41(22), 2607–2621. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2018.1471165 Litman, T. (2017). Public transportation’s impact on rural and small towns (pp. 1–48). Community Transportation Association of America. Los Angeles County School Attendance Task Force. (2012). A comprehensive approach to improving student attendance in Los Angeles County. www.educationcoordinatingcouncil.org/SATF_DOCS/SATF_Reports/SATF_Report_2-2-12.pdf Marzoughi, R. (2011). Barriers to Teenage Mobility in the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada: Attitudes, Concerns, and Policy Implications. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2231(1), 61–67. https://doi.org/10.3141/2231-08 Moussly, R. (2011, March 6). Youth to determine future of transport. Gulf News, 1–3. Newbold, K. B., & Scott, D. M. (2018a). Insights into public transit use by Millennials: The Canadian experience. Travel Behaviour and Society, 11, 62–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tbs.2017.12.009  5 Newbold, K. B., & Scott, D. M. (2018b). Generational Differences in Trip Timing and Purpose: Evidence from Canada: Growth and Change, 49(2), 361–373. https://doi.org/10.1111/grow.12243 No discounted public transit pass for Sheridan College students in Oakville. (2019, May 6). Oakville Beaver. http://proxy.lib.sfu.ca/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/no-discounted-public-transit-pass-sheridan/docview/2221118864/se-2?accountid=13800 Novak, L. (2019, August 25). Youths unfairly targeted for fines. The Advertiser (Australia), 1–2. Noxon Research Associates. (2004). U-PASS toolkit: The complete guide to universal transit pass programs at Canadian colleges and universities. Canadian Urbant Transit Association. Pesola, A. J., Hakala, P., Berg, P., Ramezani, S., Villanueva, K., Tuuva-Hongisto, S., Ronkainen, J., & Laatikainen, T. E. (2020). Does free public transit increase physical activity and independent mobility in children? Study protocol for comparing children’s activity between two Finnish towns with and without free public transit. BMC Public Health, 20(1), 342. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-8385-6 Poetry in motion returns to MTA buses. (2018, March 29). States News Service, 1–4. Richards, B. (2014, February 9). Young people sound off survey reveals transport and concerts high on agenda. Sunday Tasmanian, 1–3. Roberts, J. D., Mandic, S., Fryer, C. S., Brachman, M. L., & Ray, R. (2019a). Between Privilege and Oppression: An Intersectional Analysis of Active Transportation Experiences Among Washington D.C. Area Youth. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 16(8), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16081313 Roberts, J. D., Mandic, S., Fryer, C. S., Brachman, M. L., & Ray, R. (2019b). Between privilege and oppression: An intersectional analysis of active transportation experiences among Washington D.C. area youth. 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Evidence Brief: Youth and Public Transit

http://summit.sfu.ca/system/files/iritems1/21703/Reed%20et%20al%20-%20Youth%20and%20Public%20Transit%20-%202%20page%20summary.pdf

Evidence Brief: Youth and Public Transit

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