The Road To Education: Why Access To Transportation Is Important

By Jennifer Santanero

Throughout my education, I have faced one barrier that often goes unnoticed. That barrier is the lack of transportation. Although a lack of transportation may seem like a minor inconvenience, it is a barrier that can not only negatively affect a student's attendance but also cause students to fall behind and face disciplinary action. Furthermore, as students begin to skip school, it can negatively affect schools and districts, as funding is based on student attendance. 

The lack of transportation began early in my education; for instance, in elementary school, we did not have funding for a school bus to take us on field trips. Additionally, unlike at other schools where access to free field trips was available, we were required to pay a deposit for any field trips we took, creating a clear inequity in access to educational opportunities. For low-income students, this places a financial and educational barrier by limiting access to outside classroom resources and experiences. 

As I continued with my education in Junior High and High School, this issue was more apparent. My parents both worked and were unable to take me to school, so it was my responsibility to find ways to attend school. My options were to walk 30 minutes to school or pay $5 a day for a bus pass on public transportation. For many families, including mine, public transportation is not affordable, especially in rough times. Having access to transportation services would have alleviated the financial burden on my family, as the cost of public transportation was expensive throughout the course of the school year. 

Even though I have left my K-12 school district, these barriers still continue to persist. For example, my younger brother has to attend a school that is farther from our house because it was the only school in the Anaheim Elementary School District that offered special education services like counselors and special education teachers. Despite this school being farther, access to transportation was not provided until later in the year, leaving my family to look for alternative means to take my brother to school.  While attending community college, I was responsible for taking my brother to school and back, forcing me to adjust my college class schedule and work schedule to his schedule. If access to a reliable transportation service were available, it would have allowed me to focus on my studies and take the time to catch up on homework or enroll in classes I never had the opportunity to take.  

It is important to provide access to reliable and free transportation for students in low-income communities. Providing services would reduce financial burdens and increase educational opportunities for children. Access to education should not be a stressor for students and families.