# What is a transit desert?

For decades, car-centric infrastructure has pushed Americans towards car dependency. As public transit often fails to deliver wide-reaching services, cars are viewed as the only reliable way to get around in outer-urban areas. As a result, over [91% of American households have access to a car,](https://www.valuepenguin.com/auto-insurance/car-ownership-statistics) and over [76% use their car for their work commute.](https://www.statista.com/chart/18208/means-of-transportation-used-by-us-commuters/)

Therefore, when you don’t have a car, finding a way around town can be difficult, if not impossible. If so, you may live in a “transit desert,” an area where access to public transportation is severely restricted.

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### What are “Transit Deserts” and Where Are They Located?

The term “transit desert” refers to a community in which access to public transportation is limited. Transit deserts usually form where there’s lengthy walking distances to public transportation, transportation inaccessible for people with disabilities, or a lack of transportation facilities in the area.

Transit deserts are generally located in outer-urban areas due to a lack of investment in infrastructure. Without a reliable public transit option, car-less residents are left stranded in their own town. [Researchers note that transit deserts disproportionately affect underprivileged and underserved communities, where BIPOC and disabled individuals reside.](https://kinder.rice.edu/urbanedge/racism-has-shaped-public-transit-and-its-riddled-inequities)

Transit deserts are not only found in small communities. Even [New York City has been noted as a large transit desert.](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/11/realestate/whos-afraid-of-a-transit-desert.html#:~:text=Living%20on%20the%20Edge,nearest%20subway%20or%20rail%20station.) While public transit is plentiful and popular in Manhattan, the remaining four boroughs of NYC suffer from a lack of adequate transportation. Many residents cite long walks to the train station and unreliable bus systems as two of the main issues they face daily.

### How do Transit Deserts Affect People, and What is the Solution?

The harder it is to get to a transit station, the less likely people are to use them. Having access to transportation is a continuing problem for those in transit deserts. It affects residents’ ability to work, generate income, access healthcare and food, and socialize. [These hardships increase the risk of poverty, social problems, and health issues.](https://kinder.rice.edu/urbanedge/racism-has-shaped-public-transit-and-its-riddled-inequities) The lack of access to transportation has tangible, long-lasting effects on people’s lives.

In recent years, cities like [West Dallas, Texas](https://www.ridecircuit.com/blog/connecting-west-dallas) have begun to address their transit deserts. Cities are turning towards innovative solutions; suggesting long-term, formative solutions that would permanently resolve the issue. Some are turning towards micro-transit, such as electric shuttles, to end the last-mile transit problem. By increasing widespread access to microtransit, many cities believe that they can resolve their last-mile transit problems.

Transit deserts permeate our country, but finding the solution is vital to creating healthy, accessible cities. Having a functioning, adequate public transit system makes everyday life easy and efficient - and with the proper investments and infrastructure, transit deserts could be eliminated entirely.

At [Circuit](https://www.ridecircuit.com/), we bring 100% electric micro-transit solutions to communities to provide first and last-mile connections, decrease congestion, and improve transportation access in transit deserts. If you’re interested in learning more about creative transportation solutions to improve your community, [reach out to the Circuit team](https://www.ridecircuit.com/blog/what-is-a-transit-desert#launch-s1) today.