Bus service improves equitable access to opportunity in Chicago.
While there is more work to be done, bus service contributes towards more equitable access to opportunity in Chicago. Jobs, schools, grocery stores, healthcare and recreational facilities are unevenly distributed across the City, meaning access to opportunity is not equitable throughout Chicago. Low-income, Black, and Latino residents tend to be located farther from jobs and services compared to higher-income and White residents. Below are two maps illustrating these two points.
Map 1 represents the number of jobs reachable within two miles from anywhere in Chicago. Map 2 represents the average income per person, calculated by dividing the median household income by household size.
CTA bus service does a lot to counter the City’s geographic inequities by providing an affordable way to move throughout the City for people of all ages, income levels, and abilities.
Map 3 shows how many jobs can be reached within 45 minutes using public transit from any point in Chicago.
Map 4 shows how many more jobs can be reached from any point in Chicago, within 45 minutes using public transit, compared to how many jobs could be reached by walking in about the same amount of time. The dark green areas indicate places where transit gives a resident access to at least 50 times more jobs.
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