Transportation equity for sustainable cities: Improving access to healthcare, employment, and well-being through transportation disadvantaged programs and equitable public transport policy

Transportation equity is pivotal for improving access to healthcare, economic opportunities, and everyday well-being within sustainable cities and communities, particularly for low-income, elderly, and disabled populations. This paper examines Florida's state-funded Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) Program in the United States, with a particular focus on Miami-Dade County, to highlight how fare-free and subsidized transit access can reduce systemic barriers to mobility. Drawing on a synthesis of existing evaluation reports, administrative records, service plans, and articles, the paper discusses how the TD Program improves access to healthcare, employment, and social participation while alleviating financial burdens. It argues that such programs are critical tools for increasing access to essential services, reducing social exclusion, and promoting the well-being of the TD population in car-dependent urban contexts. The paper proposes an equity-oriented framework to support inclusive, outcome-based transport planning and program evaluation by linking activities to measurable outputs and long-term outcomes. The framework highlights the importance of sustained funding, cross-sector coordination, and user-centered evaluation for equitable transport planning. Insights from the TD Program synthesis and the proposed framework align with the Sustainable Development Goals, supporting inclusive and sustainable urban development. As cities in the United States and worldwide face growing mobility disparities, the need for inclusive solutions becomes increasingly urgent. In this context, the equitable public transport policy and TD Program offer scalable insights for building accessible and equitable urban transport systems that better serve transport-disadvantaged and vulnerable populations while advancing sustainable urban planning.