Spotlight on: Transportation in New York City

Our most recent Poverty Tracker spotlight report explores how necessary transportation costs to get to work and make a living can eat up a meaningful share of New Yorkers’ paychecks.

Public transit plays a critical role in meeting commuting needs for all New Yorkers. Commuting to work by subway or bus is the most used form of transit regardless of income, with the majority of New Yorkers in each income category reporting some use of subways or buses in their daily commutes. However, the extent to which New Yorkers are burdened by transportation costs, both in terms of time and money, likely varies across the income distribution.

Recent policy discussions, including fare increases and congestion pricing, have brought transportation-related issues to the forefront of public discourse. Across the city, transportation time and costs constitute additional burdens for many New Yorkers who are already struggling to afford basic needs like food and housing, especially for those with fewer resources.