Driving to and from work can be stressful, and everyone’s experienced the bumper-to-bumper traffic of rush hour at least once in their lives.
Usually, this leads to you being late for work, scolded, and overall having a horrible day, something that could’ve easily been avoided if you’d just lived a bit closer to your workplace.
However, this is a luxury that only a lucky few can afford, and data shows that more than half of all American workers commute over an hour to their workplace.
Things only get worse from here on out though, as not everyone has access to a car, and some are even forced to rent places so far away that every work day includes 2-3 hour round trips using public transport.
A person’s income level greatly impacts their ability to travel efficiently, and we’re going to introduce you to some government programs that aim to solve this issue.
One bad day
As outlandish as it sounds to have a day where everything goes wrong, it’s not uncommon, and America’s busy streets can easily create a work environment where you’re practically forced to put out fires all day while being reprimanded for being late.
With consistent transportation, Americans can ensure they’re always on time, which further helps them with retaining their employment and not being behind on their other bills.
If transportation was just a bit more reliable, low-income Americans would have a much easier time when it comes to retaining jobs, and they’d be exposed to much less risk whenever they’re traveling to work.
Financial stability is greatly influenced by these factors, and it’s partially the cause of why so many low-income Americans struggle to maintain a balance in their finances, even if they may have sufficient income to do so.
Eligibility for transportation assistance
In order to benefit from the many transportation assistance programs provided by the government or other charitable organizations, you do have to meet certain income requirements.
Some of these organizations focus on certain demographics, such as military veterans, providing them with access to a means of transport which they may not have been able to afford normally.
Other times though, assistance may be offered to victims of natural disasters and domestic violence or even the homeless, and it only depends on the organization offering a helping hand.
Of course, the majority of these programs are geared towards helping the working-class American, giving them free or at the very least, affordable vehicles in order to get themselves from point A to point B.
This usually means traveling to and from work, but some may also need to travel in order to get groceries or complete the rest of their chores, and transportation is relevant to that aspect of their lives as well.
How you can help
While some of these programs are funded by the government, others rely on good samaritans and their goodwill to help those in need.
This is usually done through car donations, and while it may sound like a lot, the amount of operating cars that get abandoned or dumped in landfills is astounding, so much so that every American would have access to affordable transport if everyone just donated their old vehicle to one of these organizations.
However, this does come with its benefits, as donating a vehicle to one of these charitable organizations gives you access to quite a sizeable tax deduction.
Of course, there’s also the satisfaction of knowing you’ve helped someone gain access to low-cost transportation, and sometimes, helping each other is what it’s all about.
Wheels for Women
One of the more notable programs in the Washington area is Wheels for Women, which is managed by the Newgate School, providing access to vehicles to single moms in counties across Washington counties.
The program selects low-maintenance models donated by charitable Americans and uses them to educate low-income Americans in auto mechanics, giving them a skill that they’ll need for the rest of their lives.
After this, the car is passed on to single mothers eligible for assistance as a means of reliable transport they can use for their personal or work needs.
Thousands of mothers have been assisted through the Wheels for Women program, giving them the ability to retain their jobs and give their kids a comfy ride to school every morning.
You can find out more about this program and even donate your own old car by contacting Newgate School at their official website or by e-mail.
Bottom line
Low-income Americans have difficulties commuting to work, especially when this commute can be several hours long.
Dense traffic causes thousands of Americans to be late for work every single day, and this leads to a number of low-income Americans losing employment over things that were out of their control.
With transportation assistance, these individuals and families can gain access to an affordable transport option and lower the risk of losing their jobs due to constantly being late.