Transportation and Poverty

111,000 Monroe County residents live below the poverty line. 68,000 people in the city of Rochester (including over 50% of children) live in poverty. This page contains a collection of Reconnect Rochester’s work over the past several years, to explore the connection between poverty and transportation and possible solutions.

Commissioned Report

In April 2018, Reconnect Rochester released a commissioned report prepared by the Center for Governmental Research titled Transportation and Poverty in Monroe County: How Land Use, Job Locations and Commuting Options Affect Access to Jobs.

The report provides a first of its kind in-depth study of the major factors and dynamics at play in the relationship between transportation and our community’s persistent rate of poverty. Read more about the importance of the report, our partners, and our plans for follow-up advocacy work.

Documentary Films

Reconnect Rochester — in partnership with Floating Home Films — has produced two original local films exploring the intersection of transportation and poverty in our region.

This 2020 film explores transportation as a systemic equity issue, shares a front line view of the struggle, and highlights the innovative ways some local organizations are meeting transportation needs. The film was featured at a virtual Rochester Street Films event on Nov 12, 2020; click here to view a recording of the event, including a panel discussion with local leaders.

This 2018 film focuses on the lives of three Rochesterians. Cee Cee, Nassir, and Eve give us a firsthand look at what life is like when you can barely afford to buy a bus pass, much less a car. After you watch the film, be sure to check out the video presentation and panel discussions below…

Presentation by Pete Nabozny:
What is poverty in Monroe County, and how is it related to transportation and land use?

Panel Discussion (Part 1):
Cee Cee, Eve, Nassir and Shawn talk about their experience making the film and take audience questions.

Panel Discussion (Part 2):
Dr. Leonard Brock (RMAPI), Maggie Brooks (RTS) and Bill McDonald (United Way) discuss the film and possible solutions.

Blog Series

This collection of articles by Pete Nabozny and Brenda Massie, published in 2016, explores the connection between poverty and transportation and possible solutions.

The Connection Between Transportation in Rochester, NY.

Introduction

Part 2: What is Poverty?

Part 3: The Long Bus Commute

Part 4: The Cost of Car Ownership

Part 5: The Problem with Sprawl

Part 6: What Should Be Done?

Audio / Podcasts

Below are interviews and in-depth discussions with Reconnect Rochester and other community advocates on the subject of transportation and poverty.

Rochester Street Films explores the connection between poverty and transportation

9/26/2017

How transportation intersects with poverty

1/4/2017

Posted by: Brenda Massie, Board Member and Secretary, Reconnect Rochester.

As Gridlock Sam Schwartz told us this past Wednesday, Rochester is a city ‘on the cusp’ and improving its transportation network is critical in keeping the momentum. The Community Design Center’s upcoming ReShaping Rochester lecture titled Mobility: Transportation as a Leveler will likely build on that message. It is exciting to us at Reconnect that these progressive transportation leaders are making their rounds through Rochester to share experiences and (hopefully) spark some action!

Given Rochester’s appalling poverty rate, ensuring access to goods, services, jobs and education through public transportation is especially important. Around 28,000 low-income households in our area have no vehicles. Transportation can be a huge barrier to accessing jobs, education, healthcare and other essential services…

poverty in Rochester NY