Who Commutes using Bus, Subway, Railroad, Cycling, and Walking in the US?

Fri Oct 10 2025 at 03:00 pm to 04:00 pm UTC-05:00

6708 Pine St room 117 | Omaha

University of Nebraska Omaha Economics
Publisher/HostUniversity of Nebraska Omaha Economics
Who Commutes using Bus, Subway, Railroad, Cycling, and Walking in the US?
Advertisement
Part of the UNO Economics seminar series. This research seminar runs from 3PM-4PM. Appetizers at Inner Rail afterwards.
About this Event

Abstract:

In this study, we examine the time-trends in non-car commute modes from 2004-2019; we exclude the data following 2019 due to the idiosyncratic impact of the pandemic. In this study, we simultaneously examine income, age, and other demographic characteristics in the choice to select different modes of transit. We find that while bus transit has decreased, other forms of transit have increased over this period. Moreover, while there are income effects, it is not as simple as public transit is used more by the poor. Instead, the choice to use transit is dependent on both the mode and the specific income bracket. Similarly, different immigrant groups seem to have differential impacts on commute choice.

Our results are in contradiction to some of the literature in this area and conventional wisdom. Our data suggest that, as expected, lower income groups and some underrepresented minorities are important users of public transit. However, they are not the only important groups. In fact, in the case of railroads, non-Hispanic whites are more likely to commute by train than those that identify as Hispanic, and the relationship between income and subway usage is strongly positive. This upending of conventional wisdom leads to a different understanding of the barriers to higher public transit usage and what investments in transit could lead to higher ridership.



Agenda

🕑: 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Seminar
Host: Bun Song Lee
🕑: 04:30 PM
Appetizers and discussion at Inner Rail
Host: Economics Department

Info: To further the goal of having a social discussion, the Department will buy the first round of appetizers at Inner Rail at 4:30PM


Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

6708 Pine St room 117, 6708 Pine Street, Omaha, United States

Tickets

USD 0.00

Sharing is Caring:

More Events in Omaha

Savannah Dexter
Fri, 10 Oct at 01:00 am Savannah Dexter

The Waiting Room - Omaha

Karuna Reiki Master Certification Class
Fri, 10 Oct at 09:00 am Karuna Reiki Master Certification Class

Rhianna Mays, Energy Transformer and Intuitive

Ralston Chamber Town Hall Meeting Fri Oct 10th 9-10am
Fri, 10 Oct at 09:00 am Ralston Chamber Town Hall Meeting Fri Oct 10th 9-10am

Outlook Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Halloween Sensory Bottles
Fri, 10 Oct at 11:00 am Halloween Sensory Bottles

120 Regency Pkwy, Omaha, NE, United States, Nebraska 68114

Wit as Witness: Humor and Satire in Contemporary Art
Fri, 10 Oct at 12:00 pm Wit as Witness: Humor and Satire in Contemporary Art

The Ashton

Humble Lion Anniversary & Awards Ceremony
Fri, 10 Oct at 04:00 pm Humble Lion Anniversary & Awards Ceremony

The Back Nine Golf Omaha

VIVID Art Exhibition
Fri, 10 Oct at 05:00 pm VIVID Art Exhibition

2200 S 24th St, Omaha, NE 68108-3816, United States

Tacotopia- Omaha
Fri, 10 Oct at 05:00 pm Tacotopia- Omaha

Nebraska Furniture Mart

Medicinal Herbal Oils and Salve Workshop
Fri, 10 Oct at 05:30 pm Medicinal Herbal Oils and Salve Workshop

100 Bancroft Street, Omaha, NE, United States, Nebraska 68108

Art Factory: After Dark Fundraiser
Fri, 10 Oct at 06:00 pm Art Factory: After Dark Fundraiser

1301 Nicholas Street , Omaha, NE, United States, Nebraska 68102

Jeff Allen
Fri, 10 Oct at 06:00 pm Jeff Allen

Funny Bone Comedy Club - Omaha

Omaha is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Omaha Events