A champion for transit equity

For Rodney Chan, transit is not just a service. It's a lifeline.  

“Growing up in Toronto, it took me an hour to get to school on public transit,” Chan explains. “The route I used was frequented by predominantly lower-income and racialized people who have been left behind in the city. That led me down the urban planning rabbit hole of learning about transit service planning, political funding issues and North American urban sprawl.”   

 Chan’s journey has featured many stops. He volunteered with TTCriders, a Toronto-based transit advocacy group, began his studies in the Faculty of Environment’s School of Urban Planning, and this past year was a key organizer in reinstating Waterloo Region’s late-night transit route.  

Now Chan is taking his academic and professional experiences and translating them into the workplace through his first co-op work term. Waterloo has the largest co-op program at a research-intensive university in the world, with more than 70 per cent of students gaining up to two years of employment experience during their studies.

During his placement with York Region’s Transportation Planning team, Chan worked on integrating an equity lens into future transit plans. His task was to map out how proposed bus rapid transit lanes could be phased in, considering the needs of low-income and racialized communities. This work allowed him to apply his knowledge of transit justice in the workplace, reinforcing his commitment to making public transportation more equitable. 

Chan with University of Waterloo students celebrating their success in getting Waterloo Region council members to unanimously approve maintaining the 15-minute evening service on the Ion light rail.

“Transit is a lifeline for a lot of people who depend on it,” he says. “It feels great not only to see your work actually mean something, but also the effect on the community — that there's an affordable, climate-friendly way for people to get home.”  

Looking ahead, Chan hopes to revive the Tri-Cities Transport Action Group, which is dedicated to improving transit and active transportation in Waterloo region. He also hopes to continue working in public transportation after graduation, aiming to scale up his passion for equitable transit solutions.   

Chan’s journey from a concerned student to a key voice in regional transit conversations is a testament to the power of persistence, community organizing and a clear vision of what the future of public services should be about.   

Learn how Chan is using his co-op experience to advocate for transit equity