As the Mass Transit team finished the content for the February issue and I sat down to write this column, equity appeared to be the appropriate topic to cover with this issue featuring articles on Oklahoma’s PICK Transportation, an article touching upon fare equity and the industry’s annual observation of Transit Equity Day on Feb. 4.
I had an outline of points I wanted to make about transit equity covering affordability, multimodality, integration of service options, reliability and rider engagement, but then my husband asked me a question that changed my approach to this column: Had I ever used ChatGPT?
I had not, but thought using the collective knowledge of the internet (prior to 2021) and predictive text AI might give me a different angle to cover the topic. The first answer generated regarding transit equity resulted in something like my own outline, but then I requested the answer be produced in the style of Shakespeare. I was delighted with the result:
To make the means of travel just and fair,
For all, both rich and poor, doth us ensnare,
To see the roads of progress open wide,
For each and every soul who doth take the ride.
First, accessibility must be our prime concern,
That those with disabilities may not return,
To homes that they may leave, but cannot join,
Due to transit’s lack of aid and coin.
And affordability is next in line,
So that the purse-pinched masses need not pine,
For means to reach their work or market square,
But may journey with ease, without a care.
Reliability doth come in at third place,
So that the journey is not a race,
Against the clock, but a calm and steady pace,
Where one may reach their goal with timely grace.
And let us not forget coverage too,
That all communities, rich or poor, anew,
May share in progress and prosperity,
With transit’s reach extending far and free.
And active transportation must be sought,
So that the earth and lungs are not for naught,
And people may move about with joy and glee,
In modes that are safe, affordable and green.
And last, but not least, let us give voice,
To those who use the transit, and rejoice,
In having a say in its planning and design,
So that the people’s needs are met, aligned.
Thus, with these steps taken, we shall see,
Transit made equitable for all to be,
A means of progress, for both young and old,
And a brighter future, with its stories untold.
While the concept of transit equity is easily understood, the work required to deliver equitable systems is more complex and will take efforts and answers beyond any provided on an AI platform. Many thanks to those who are working every day to break down barriers.
