Parker Street and Wilbraham Road, Springfield

MassDOT Transportation Survey

In the summer of 2024, Way Finders partnered with MassINC Polling Group (MPG) and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to study the impact of transportation on low-income households in the region. Over 1,600 Way Finders clients participated in the survey along with more than 600 additional residents of Hampden and Hampshire counties.

While still collecting and analyzing additional data, here are some of the initial findings about Way Finders clients.

Stuck at home

Of those who must travel for healthcare or childcare, 36% report difficulties getting there.
40% struggle to run errands like grocery shopping.

Lost opportunities

31% of Way Finders clients have had to skip medical care because of transportation difficulties.
25% have been stranded by lack of transportation services.

Financial burdens

80% of Way Finders clients say that transportation costs are a burden on their budgets – much higher than found in other low income households.

Lengthy commutes

56% of workers who rely on PVTA have commute times between 30 and 60+ minutes.

In their own words:

We’re grateful to everyone who has engaged in this work

These findings will be part of a long-term effort to educate policymakers and local stakeholders about how they can link housing and transportation to build not only affordable housing but thriving communities.

Next Steps

This information is being shared with staff at Way Finders and MassDOT to help inform our work. The full data and focus group results will also be part of a report that MassDOT plans to release next year, so that the results can be used by even more people. We are also planning on sharing the findings with key local stakeholders, including local transportation agencies, local government offices, healthcare institutions, and more.