Transportation Options Restrict Economic Mobility

The Challenge: New Hampshire has limited public transit, particularly in rural areas and the North Country, and no statewide passenger rail which affects employment access, daily errands, and quality of life. What do New Hampshire residents think? Contributors described public transportation as a foundational issue tied to employment and access. A supported employment specialist wrote: “As a supported employment specialist for over 12 years, there’s no greater barrier for individuals with and without disabilities who want to work than transportation. Employers need people; with the housing market limited and expensive, transportation is a luxury for many.” Others pointed to broader options: “We need passenger rail transportation in NH.” And basic infrastructure remained a concern as well: “Repair to roads and bridges.” Across responses, contributors described transportation as a quiet but consequential constraint on opportunity, particularly outside the southern tier of the state.