A ticket to ride: transportation barriers for income assistance recipients in Metro Vancouver

This study examines barriers faced by “expected-to-work” income assistance recipients when trying to transition into the workforce in Metro Vancouver. It focuses on the role of insufficient access to transportation as a barrier for recipients when seeking work. Currently, there are three transportation gaps in the BC Employment and Assistance program: (1) lack of transportation support provided during the initial three-week job search; (2) inadequate transportation support provided to those individuals in employment or life skills programs; and (3) no transportation support provided to beneficiaries who are no longer participating in any program. This study relies primarily on qualitative data compiled through interviews with advocates, client service providers and employment and assistance workers. Transportation is found to be a contributing barrier for income assistance recipients searching for work. The study formulates and assesses alternative policy options for alleviating this problem.