Missing one bus shouldn’t mean missing class.

But for many students across Ohio, it does.

Public transportation isn’t just about buses or schedules. It’s about access: access to education, jobs, and opportunity. And for students balancing school, work, and financial pressure, transportation can quietly become one of the biggest barriers to success.

At All Aboard Ohio, we’ve been working to better understand what that looks like on campuses across the state. What we’re hearing is clear: students are already navigating these challenges every day.

Transit Is a Lifeline, Even When We Don’t See It

On some campuses, transit blends into the background. It’s easy to assume most students drive.

But that assumption doesn’t hold up.

As Ameer White, a senior at Wright State University, shared:

Not every student has access to a car. Many are managing jobs, tuition, and living expenses all at once. For them, transit isn’t a convenience; it’s a necessity.

And yet, those realities often go unseen.

Transportation Shouldn’t Decide Who Gets an Education

College is already expensive. Add in the cost of owning a car - payments, insurance, gas, maintenance - and the equation becomes even harder.

Without reliable transit, students are forced into impossible trade-offs:

• Take on more debt to live on campus

• Stretch themselves thin to afford a vehicle

• Or risk falling behind academically just trying to get to class

Ameer put it simply:

For Escalajah, a sophomore at Sinclair Community College, the impact shows up in everyday decisions:

This isn’t just an inconvenience.

It affects attendance, grades, and whether students feel they can succeed at all.

Students Can Shape the Future of Transit

The good news? Students aren’t just experiencing the problem; they’re ready to be part of the solution.

Kyren, a junior at Wright State University, said:

He’s right.

Today’s students have more tools than ever to organize, advocate, and be heard. Whether it’s connecting with local leaders, sharing experiences online, or working directly with community organizations, student voices carry weight.

As Abby, a senior at Trine University, explained:

When students speak up, institutions listen. Cities listen. Transit agencies and legislators listen.

From Experience to Action: Where This Goes Next

These conversations point to something bigger than individual stories.

Students understand the need.

Students feel the impact.

And increasingly, students want a voice in shaping what comes next.

That’s where organizations like All Aboard Ohio come in.

Across Ohio, we’re working to connect student experiences with real policy conversations, whether that’s improving local transit access, strengthening regional connections, or advancing passenger rail as part of a more complete transportation network.

Because access to reliable transportation doesn’t just change how students get to class.

It changes what’s possible for their entire future.

Get Involved

If you’re a student or know one who has experienced the impact of transportation barriers, we want to hear from you.

Whether it’s:

• Sharing your story

• Helping organize on your campus

• Or being part of a growing network of student advocates

There’s a place for you in this work.

Because when students can get where they need to go, everything else becomes possible.