Conclusion

Transit deserts in the Bay Area are the result of budgetary limitations, overspending on projects and the lack of integration amongst the transit agencies. Insufficient funding and voters’ opposition to higher taxes restricted many regions from partaking in regional transportation plans such as the Bay Area Rapid Transit system. In the Bay Area, a large number of transit agencies often fail to coordinate routes and schedules. This leads to a slow and inefficient experience that could’ve been avoided. As transit agencies compete for riders, they spend extravagantly on new infrastructure that syncs poorly with the larger regional network rather than save and cooperate with other transit agencies. In order to effectively address transit needs, transit agencies must work together to unify the various modes of transportation.

These maps provide an important insight into mobility within the San Francisco Bay Area. While many transit options exist between BART, AC Transit, MUNI, and others, not all transit routes provide the accessibility necessary for all residents. More data should be collected and analyzed on transit deserts in order to guide future transportation planners on their decisions about transit routing, scheduling, and stop locations. Furthermore, the existence of mobility deserts in the bay area is troubling, as residents without transportation options are impeded from adequate employment, fresh food, health care, and other important destinations. As the bay area should not be prioritizing private vehicle ownership, transportation professionals should be studying places that they can improve transit access and routes, as well as understanding the implications of low transit supply in dense, residential areas.