Houston Metro to Homeless: Stay Off Our Trains!

Published November 06, 2009 @ 01:03PM PT

Is Houston creating a public transportation caste system?

Yesterday, at a public hearing in Housing, Metro Vice President Todd Mason made it abundantly clear that homeless people in Houston should take the bus rather than the area's light rail system. Hair Balls, the Houston Press Blog, transcribed the banter between Mason and Anthony Love, president of the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston:

Mason: The bus transit system provides more connectivity for the homeless...Metro is not in the business of attempting to put the homeless on the train. That's the signature service downtown.

Love: Is that the official position of Metro?

Mason: The board isn't going to adopt an official position.

Love: Then whose position is it?

Mason: Today it will be my personal position.

There is no indication that Houston law enforcement is forcing people of the train for being homeless (fare-hopping, though, is another story). According to Houston reporters, Mason's ignorant position has not been adopted beyond the confines of his (limited) worldview. Thank goodness.

Still, Mason's comment has advocates fuming. This remark marginalizes an entire segment of the population - not to mention members of Mason's constituency. Transit systems are public-run entities designed to serve the transportation needs of the public. For low-income individuals - including the homeless - trains and buses are often the only transportation options available.

While it's tempting to write an angry letter or leave a colorful voice message for Mason, it's important to take a step back and realize that this is an important learning opportunity. There's an important link between public transportation, housing, and improving the quality of life for the poorest among us. Mason's ignorant remark is an important reminder that we, as advocates, must take advantage of every opportunity to spell out these linkages and help others see that - like it or not - we are all connected.

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Author

Shannon has worked in homeless shelters and service organizations in San Francisco, the Triangle region of North Carolina, and currently in the greater Boston area. She is a graduate student studying housing and urban policy at Tufts University.