 20%. The percentage of low-income Americans who rely on public transportation. Mass transit systems are getting hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, and that could hurt poor people the most. 20% of low-income American households rely entirely on public transportation. That's the figure Ramya Vijaya, professor of economics at Stockton University, found in a study. Cities may have to cut back on public transportation because of funding shortfalls. If they don't restore service to pre-pandemic levels, it will be harder for people who rely on mass transit to go to or look for work. Even before the current crisis, America's inadequate transport infrastructure contributed to economic inequality. Lack of transportation limits access to jobs, education and other services, particularly for poor households. With ridership and revenue down as much as 90% or more during the pandemic, most networks won't survive without sustained government support.