Thank you for the question.
For people who live too far from work or school and can't walk or bike to work or school, but whose income is too low to own a car, public transit is the only mobility option. Public transit is essential for many seniors, people with disabilities, and everyone doing essential work during the pandemic. Public transit provides many people with access to employment and education.
I'm also very happy to say that many transit systems across the country have assisted in supporting vaccination programs, retrofitting their buses, and bringing the vehicles to where people need them, while connecting folks to essential jobs.
What we don't want to have and what we have avoided in the transit industry is a nurse after a 12-hour shift wondering if the bus will be there on time, or a grocery store worker finishing their shift worrying about being late and what will happen. Transit has had their back throughout the pandemic.
Thank you.