Opportunity Cars is a network of more than 150 nonprofit organizations dedicated to increasing private automobile ownership for low wage working families to support their ability to find and retain quality employment.

Working Wheels is a groundbreaking program that sells affordable used cars to eligible candidates who are experiencing employment-related transportation challenges.

"The key to their success... is in your old car."
Vehicles for Change is a community initiative helping to change the lives of low income families in Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C. serving the community since October 1999.   Transportation is the main barrier to employment for low income families. Your donation provides the vehicles they need to get to work, daycare, doctors appointments, etc. Help get someone started. Donate a “Vehicle” For Change.

Pursuit of the Dream: Cars & Jobs in America

 

Low-income workers who are trying to reach self-sufficiency, stabilize their finances and move up the economic ladder must be able to connect to good jobs and meet family obligations. A car is often a necessity. However, common obstacles such as overpriced and unreliable cars, sub prime (high interest rate) loans, high down payments, hidden purchase costs, and the limitations caused by poor credit histories can prevent them from improving their lives through car ownership.

Pursuit of the Dream: Cars & Jobs in America, produced by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, explains the importance of affordable, reliable transportation for building the economic success of low-income families and their communities. The documentary features the stories of three real-life families who struggled with the pitfalls that low-wage workers often face when purchasing a car, and shows how they overcame them. Recommendations on how to avoid these pitfalls and tips for knowledgeable car purchase and ownership are provided in the documentary and in the printed discussion guide, included in each DVD case. The discussion guide also suggests ways to use the documentary with different audiences and includes resources for more information. The 22-minute documentary is provided in both English and Spanish versions.

Urban transportation and equity: A case study of Beijing and Karachi

 

Abstract

Development of mega cities of Pakistan and China has greatly been affected by the growth in urbanization and motorization. The uncontrolled rise in urbanization, motorization, exclusionary planning and disproportionate investment in transportation infrastructure has created a socio-economic imbalance, thereby challenging the issue of equity. This paper focuses on a comparative social equity assessment of urban development, characteristics of supply and demand of transportation and infrastructure systems and the impact of existing strategies over equity in the development of urban and transportation system of Beijing and Karachi. The paper concludes by suggesting some strategies for the development of sustainable and equitable urban transportation systems.

Keywords: Urbanization; Equity; Accessibility; Affordability; Motorization; Sustainable transportatio