Role of Urban Transportation Through the Lens of Homeless Individuals: A Case Study of the City of Toronto

Mobility has the potential to improve the quality of life for vulnerable population segments, including provision of opportunities for homeless individuals to break free from the cycle of poverty. Our research seeks to focus analysis on the travel behaviour of homeless individuals in the City of Toronto. The research relies on a specially designed interview instrument, which embodies both revealed preference and stated adaptation questions. The results of 159 face-to-face interviews with homeless individuals in Toronto identify the intricacies of homeless individuals' travel decisions. We find that both travel time and cost influence street people's mobility, and their potential to engage in employment and social activities. We find that subsidies can improve homeless individuals' transport-related social exclusion and freedom of choice in their mode selection. Consequently, the relationship between transport-related social exclusion and homelessness is complex as the role of transportation heavily depends on one's personal experiences.