On Transit Equity Day, the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority is honoring Rosa Parks, whose courageous act of defiance sparked the Montgomery bus boycott. TheRide, the nonprofit transportation service serving the Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti area, will reserve a seat on each of its buses in her memory. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the bus boycott and the 20th anniversary of Parks’ passing.
Each reserved seat will feature a sign with a picture of Parks and a message celebrating her historical significance. Jeff Pfeifer, TheRide’s manager of public affairs and community engagement, highlighted the importance of Parks’ actions, stating that they were key in advancing transportation equity.
On December 1, 1955, Parks made history by refusing to give her seat to a white man, which led to her arrest and triggered a year of protests culminating in a Supreme Court ruling that declared bus segregation unconstitutional. As Pfeifer noted, Parks’ legacy is crucial for creating equitable transportation systems across the U.S.
Furthermore, each bus will display a card with a quote from Parks, encouraging individuals to take action for change. After moving to Detroit in 1957, Parks continued her activism, advocating for fair housing and participating in the civil rights movement until her death in 2005 at the age of 92.
Passengers are invited to honor Parks’ legacy by respecting the reserved seat on this important day, reflecting on the transformative impact one individual can have on society.
This tribute not only recognizes Rosa Parks’ monumental contributions but also serves as a reminder of the ongoing work needed to achieve social equity. Celebrating Transit Equity Day in this way encapsulates a hopeful vision towards a more just and inclusive future.