Briefs
Overview of our Key Findings for Practitioners and Decision Makers
Health and Social Impacts of the Kikinahk Free Bus Service in Saskatchewan
MJ Case Studies researchers Dr. Jacob Alhassan and Dr. Daniel Fuller from the University of Saskatchewan shared a policy brief exploring the impact of a free bus initiative on healthcare access and equity for vulnerable populations in Northern Saskatchewan. In 2017, Saskatchewan Transportation Company (STC) closed, increasing the severity of the mobility challenges that rural residents face. In response, the Kikinahk Friendship Centre launched the Kikinahk Free Bus service to address transport poverty and social exclusion in northern Saskatchewan. The current study was designed using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) framework and included 41 semi-structured in-depth interviews and data on trip details of those phoning in to ride the bus. During 2023-2024, the free bus service completed over 2,300 trips, serving vulnerable populations, particularly Indigenous residents. Most of the respondents (61.0%) used the bus for visits and approximately 20% for medical reasons. The qualitative data revealed that usage of the Kikinahk free bus service was related to people’s personal circumstances and the context of life in rural Saskatchewan. The findings highlight impacts of the free bus service on the ability to reach necessary destinations, allowing to identify how the free bus initiative could be scaled up/sustained over the long term to promote equity in other rural communities. CLICK HERE TO READ.
Equity Analysis of Children’s Mobility and Safety in Montreal
This case study research focuses on examining equitable access to destinations for children aged 8 to 12 in Montreal neighbourhoods. The study aims to develop tools to estimate traffic danger and accessibility to child-relevant destinations, addressing the challenges faced by children in transportation planning. Children’s travel experiences are often overlooked in transport surveys due to various factors, leading to a lack of consideration in infrastructure cost-benefit analysis.
The research involves community partners such as the City of Montreal and Green Communities, who play active roles in developing tools and funding the accessibility research. Open-source data, Canadian census data, and focus groups with children, parents, and experts are utilized for analysis. ACCESS THE RESEARCH BRIEF HERE.
Elected Officials Survey
The Mobilizing Justice Equitable Community Planning and Engagement Working Group conducted surveys and interviews with councillors and mayors to better understand (1) their knowledge and experiences with transportation barriers and (2) values related to transportation equity. This research brief outlines key findings and addresses questions about how elected officials get their information about transportation issues, how they understand concepts of transportation equity, and, how they value and prioritize transportation equity. The goal of the brief is to help planners, whether staff members or external experts, and advocates work effectively with politicians when trying to advance transportation equity
CLICK HERE TO READ.
A brief literature review of transportation barriers and adaptations
The Mobilizing Justice Transportation Modes Working Group conducted a literature review to explore the transportation barriers people face and how they adapt. We were particularly interested in understanding the experiences of equity-deserving communities when trying to access desired destinations. This brief review provides a starting point for more in-depth research on specific modes or population groups of interest.
Community-based transportation services for older adults
This research brief is one of a series of briefs that shares findings from research conducted as part of Mobilizing Justice’s Theme 2, which aims to understand the experiences of people, especially those facing transport-related social exclusion, across different transportation modes.
- Community-based transportation service providers are filling gaps in seniors’ transportation.
- Funding is needed to support ongoing maintenance and service delivery of community-based services.
- Community-based transportation service providers should be engaged in the design of age-friendly
transportation plans and services.
Mobilizing Justice: Transport Poverty in Toronto
Transport poverty occurs when individuals belonging to structurally marginalized groups
experience barriers caused by inadequate transportation. In this briefing note we explore the
landscape of transport poverty in Toronto, Canada through the lens of access to opportunities
by public transit. Click here to read.
Mobilizing Justice Community of Practice Workshops
In partnership with The Centre for Active Transportation (TCAT), Mobilizing Justice is leading a series of workshops , convening a Mobilizing Justice Community of Practice of community organizations working to support transport equity and increase modal choice. Click here to read more.
Mobilizing Justice: COVID-19 and Equitable Transportation
This policy brief, developed in collaboration with the University of Toronto School of Cities, summarizes Mobilizing Justice’s goals and our Year 1 report on the impacts of COVID-19 on transportation equity.
In an associated interview with School of Cities, Meghan Winters (Simon Fraser University), Howaida Hassan (City of Edmonton), and Steven Farber (University of Toronto), discuss Mobilizing Justice’s goals and efforts to date.