Rosa Parks became a key figure in the Civil Rights era when she refused to give up her seat on a segregated Montgomery, Ala., public transit bus and was arrested in 1955. Recognizing her life and legacy, Montgomery County will join in the celebration of “Transit Equity Day,” which is observed on her birthday, Feb. 4, by reserving a seat on every Ride On bus operated by the County Department of Transportation.
Parks is best remembered for her brave act of resistance by refusing to give up her seat to a White man in Montgomery, Ala., in 1955. Her actions inspired the local Black community to organize the Montgomery Bus Boycott, led by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The boycott lasted more than a year and ended when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that bus segregation was unconstitutional. The year of the boycott was filled with hardship for the Black community, many of whom were dependent on buses for transportation. Mrs. Parks lost her job and experienced harassment, but became a nationally recognized representation of dignity and strength in the fight to end racial segregation.
Mrs. Parks’ role highlighted racism in the public transit system and led to affirmation that public transportation equity is a civil right.
“Transit plays a key role in our work to improve equity,” said Montgomery County Department of Transportation Director Chris Conklin. “So many people depend on our Ride On bus system to access jobs, health care, schools, grocery stores, and other essential trips. It is our job to make public transit dependable and accessible. By improving transportation options for historically disadvantaged communities, we can improve outcomes for residents and reduce inequity within our community.”
Transit Equity Day began in 2017, when a network of labor unions, community organizations, and environmental groups declared Feb. 4 “Transit Equity Day.” It has become a national day of action to commemorate Mrs. Parks and other civil rights icons and to advocate for accessible, reliable and affordable transit powered by renewable energy.
Fares on Ride On buses have been reduced to $1, from the $2 pre-pandemic fare, to make transit more affordable. Free rides are provided to seniors, people with disabilities and County youth.
Over the past year, MCDOT has been working to reassess its transit system to best meet the needs of residents through its Ride On Reimagined Study. The study, influenced by public engagement and feedback, will bring system-wide changes to better serve one million County residents.
Equitable transportation in Montgomery County includes investing in clean transportation options and infrastructure. In September 2020, MCDOT launched its first four electric buses and ordered 10 more, to reduce greenhouse gases from the transportation sector. The goal is to convert the entire fleet of buses to zero-emission by 2035, reducing the carbon footprint.
In September 2022, MCDOT unveiled the Brookville Smart Energy Bus Depot, the first solar-powered bus charging microgrid in the region and the largest nationally. This one-of-a-kind project has the capacity to charge 70 buses with solar power.
To learn more about what MCDOT is doing to ensure transit equity and view resources for low-income transportation programs, visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/TransitEquity.
