San Diego’s current transit system doesn’t work for our families, economy, health, or environment. It makes it hard for working families to access job opportunities, visit the doctor, and get groceries. It contributes to the climate crisis and pollutes the air we breathe.
The majority of the San Diego region’s transit riders live south of the 8 freeway where our communities are located, but over 70% of residents can’t access jobs, school or other vital locations on public transit. All San Diegans, no matter their zip code, deserve a safe and reliable transit system to get where they need to go.
EHC and a coalition of community members and partner organizations are fighting for a transit system that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, decreases lung-damaging air pollution, and meets the need of the low-income communities of color, who depend on it the most.
Led by EHC and the San Diego Transportation Equity Working Group, residents at the frontlines of the climate crisis in Barrio Logan, City Heights, and National City identified 10 priorities to improve the transit system for all San Diegans – the 10 Transit Lifelines.
Community Leader Fighting Back
Esperanza Gonzalez has relied on transit to get to work for over 30 years. It takes her two transfers and an hour and a half to get from home to work. Transit has not changed much in the more than 3 decades she’s used it. A long-time member of EHC’s City Heights Community Action Team, Esperanza is working to make sure San Diego’s transit system is environmentally just, frequent, reliable, and meets the needs of the communities like hers– low-income, communities of color.
Did You Know?
71% of jobs in the San Diego region are not reachable by transit
78% of MTS riders do not have a car available
Passenger cars and trucks are the largest contributors to climate change in the San Diego region
EHC impacts and victories:
Carolina Martinez
(619) 474-0220 ext. 131
