--- title: What is universal basic mobility? - The Hustle description: People who have access to transit have more opportunities. Universal basic mobility is the idea that everyone should have that. image: https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/1921813015-News-Brief_2021-11-15T015114.019Z.webp --- # What is universal basic mobility? ![Juliet Bennett Rylah](https://53.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/53/assets/hubspot.com/web-team/WBZ/HubSpot%20Media/Blog%202021/Images/Nav/Optimized/TheHustle_Icon_Dark.svg) [Juliet Bennett Rylah](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/author/juliet-bennett-rylah) [Juliet Bennett Rylah Twitter profile ](https://twitter.com/JBRylah) Published: November 15, 2021 Updated: October 11, 2023 Driving can be convenient, but it can be a hassle, too. Consider insurance, parking, pollution, and traffic. Plus, you can’t play “Candy Crush” (or read this newsletter) on your morning commute if you’re driving. ![What is universal basic mobility?](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/1921813015-News-Brief_2021-11-15T015114.019Z.webp?width=595&height=400&name=1921813015-News-Brief_2021-11-15T015114.019Z.webp) And while you may wish you could drive less, other people — including those with certain disabilities — can’t drive at all. Enter universal basic mobility (UBM), a concept in which everyone has access to reliable, affordable transit. The name comes from [universal basic income](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/basic-income.asp), a system where everyone gets some financial support from the government. #### **Why do people want UBM?** Los Angeles Department of Transportation GM Seleta Reynolds recently [championed](https://www.govtech.com/fs/head-of-ladot-calls-for-universal-basic-mobility) UBM at a transportation conference and *Bloomberg CityLab* [called](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-10-03/universal-basic-mobility-is-a-human-right?sref=3Ac2yX40) it a human right in 2018. Essentially, people who can get around enjoy more opportunities, including in education, employment, and health care. This leads to greater success and happiness: - A 2019 [study](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330813946_The_Poverty_of_the_Carless_Toward_Universal_Auto_Access/link/5c58fe8792851c22a3aa4ea4/download) found that between 1960 and 2014, poverty in the US fell from **24% to 14%**. But for households without cars, it slightly increased. The only place poverty didn’t increase was New York City, which has a robust public transit system. - Another study [found](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-national-poll-inability-to-drive-lack-of-transportation-options-are-major-concerns-for-older-adults-people-with-disabilities-and-caregivers-300761774.html) **80%** of people who don’t drive due to a disability and **40%** of older adults can’t do what they need or want, resulting in feelings of frustration or isolation. #### **So, how would UBM help?** Several UBM pilots are underway, and most work by linking services. So instead of just driving or taking the bus, you’d use a mix of public transit, shared bikes and scooters, ride and car shares, and [microtransit services](https://sparelabs.com/en/blog/what-is-microtransit/). - In Oakland, California, ~500 participants will get a $300 debit card to use on public transit, bikes, scooters, and car shares, [per](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-11-11/u-s-cities-test-effects-of-universal-basic-mobility?sref=3Ac2yX40) *Bloomberg*. - A Bakersfield, California, program will give participants free bus passes, plus up to 5 rides per day on Spin e-bikes and scooters. - Spin is also [involved](https://www.spin.app/blog-posts/bringing-mobility-as-a-service-and-universal-basic-mobility-to-pittsburgh) in Pittsburgh’s UBM [pilot](https://www.roadsbridges.com/city-pittsburgh-launches-mobility-service-universal-basic-mobility-pilot), which uses [Move PGH](https://move-pgh.com/), a Mobility as a Service (MaaS) app that integrates a variety of transit options, including electric mopeds. **Fun fact:** If MaaS apps sound interesting, check out [Whim](https://whimapp.com/), a Finnish app that allows users to book transit, bikes, scooters, ferry tickets, rental cars, and more in 1 place. 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