Gio Roman Torres – TN – GEO

Growing up in Los Angeles, my single mom didn’t drive, so we took buses to get around. From school drop-offs to trips to work, the DASH and Metro systems were lifelines for us. Even now, living in Chattanooga, I continue to use public transit, though the experience is a bit different here. 

I’m working on my PhD in sociology at the University of Michigan while living in Chattanooga. My research focuses on how place shapes the experiences of Latino immigrants across the United States, particularly how they navigate belonging and incorporation in their communities. Growing up in a first-generation immigrant family, I saw firsthand how the built environment—public spaces, transit systems, schools—can foster connection or create barriers for people trying to find their footing in a new country. While my work isn’t explicitly focused on transportation, it often surfaces as a factor. 

In LA, public transit wasn’t perfect, but it worked. In Chattanooga, it’s a different story. When I first moved here, it was challenging to figure out where the bus stops were. Some stops don’t have any signs, benches, or shelters. I’d be walking around trying to guess where to stand, only to have the bus pass me by. It felt like a scavenger hunt. 

I frequently use a shuttle that runs between my neighborhood and downtown. The service can be inconsistent, with limited hours on weekends and evenings. That makes it hard for people like me who might want to use it for a night out or for workers with nontraditional schedules.

Through my research, I’ve observed that using public transit can be difficult for immigrants, especially in places where immigrant populations have grown in the past decade – places like Chattanooga. Many don’t know about the services because information isn’t accessible in their language, and even when they do, the routes often don’t connect to their neighborhoods, which can be a barrier to opportunity. 

I’ve seen how public transit can transform lives and communities. In LA, buses connected us to schools, jobs, and even simple joys like trips to the beach. In Chattanooga, I can see the potential for transit to do the same. We need better infrastructure—signs, shelters, and benches at every stop—so riders feel valued. We need more frequent and reliable service that runs later into the night and reaches underserved and spatially isolated neighborhoods. 

I believe in the power of public transit to bring people together and create a more equitable and connected community. A good transit system is a good start to leveling the playing field, giving everyone access to the resources they need to thrive. Transit in Chattanooga has room for improvement, but with new investments, we can have a system that meets the community’s needs.