Key Points
- Public transit systems across the U.S. honored Rosa Parks on her 113th birthday, February 4, 2026, with free rides, commemorative buses, and reserved seats.
- Washington, D.C.’s Metro reserved seats on every bus and train for the second time ever, highlighting Parks’ historic impact on civil rights and public transit.
- Portland, Denver, and Lansing transit agencies offered fare-free rides and unveiled tribute buses, reinforcing Transit Equity Day as an annual observance celebrating mobility and equity.
Across the United States, public transit systems paused to honor the enduring legacy of Rosa Parks on what would have been her 113th birthday, February 4, 2026. From Washington, D.C. to Portland, Denver to Lansing, agencies marked Transit Equity Day with free rides, commemorative buses, and reserved seats, all in tribute to the woman whose quiet act of defiance on a Montgomery, Alabama bus in 1955 helped ignite the Civil Rights Movement.
In the nation’s capital, Metro (WMATA) paid homage to Parks by reserving a seat on every bus and train in the system, a gesture marked by special signs that invited riders to reflect on her historic refusal to surrender her seat to a white passenger. According to WMATA, this was only the second time in the agency’s history that the tribute extended beyond buses to include every train, ensuring that Parks’ legacy was visible to thousands of daily commuters. The signs served as a powerful reminder of the pivotal role public transportation played in the struggle for civil rights in the United States.
Metro’s commemoration coincided with the 21st anniversary of its historic Rosa Parks commemorative bus. The vehicle, the same model Parks was riding when she made her stand, was refurbished in 2005 after her passing and later used in the procession for her memorial service in Washington, D.C. The exterior of the bus bears a message that leaves little doubt as to Parks’ impact: “It All Started on a Bus: Rosa Parks, 1913–2005; The Mother of the Civil Rights Movement.”
Meanwhile, in Portland, TriMet invited riders to “step on board, take a seat, ride, reflect, and reconnect” by offering fare-free rides on all transit services, including buses, MAX light rail, WES commuter rail, and LIFT paratransit. Portland Streetcar and C-TRAN also joined in the tradition. This marked TriMet’s sixth consecutive observation of Rosa Parks Day and continued a fare-free tradition that began in 2021, shortly after Rosa Parks Transit Equity Day was formally established in 2020. The agency encouraged riders throughout Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties to rediscover the convenience of public transit while honoring Parks’ courage and the progress sparked by her actions.
TriMet’s press release captured the spirit of the day: “Every seat taken is a tribute to Rosa Parks’ courage.” The agency also highlighted the involvement of local students, noting that children at Portland’s Rosa Parks Elementary School have previously celebrated the day with performances such as “We Ride with Rosa,” underscoring the generational reach of Parks’ legacy.
Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) joined the nationwide tribute by offering free fares on buses, light rail trains, FlexRide, Access-a-Ride, and Access-on-Demand services. The RTD Board of Directors authorized the zero-fare day in 2025, ensuring the observance would become an annual fixture every Transit Equity Day. According to RTD, Transit Equity Day was first nationally recognized by the U.S. Department of Transportation in 2021, aligning with Parks’ birthday to highlight the ongoing struggle for equitable mobility.
RTD’s General Manager and CEO, Debra A. Johnson, emphasized the broader significance of the day, stating, “Public transportation stands as a cornerstone of equity, connecting individuals to the resources and opportunities that shape their futures. Transit is more than infrastructure – it is a pathway to education, employment, health care, and community engagement that holds room for all.” She added, “RTD recognizes that mobility is fundamental to dignity and self-determination and removes barriers to access. All people deserve the freedom to pursue their aspirations, contribute to civic life, and navigate their communities with independence.”
In Lansing, Michigan, the Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) unveiled its new Rosa Parks Tribute Bus in front of the Michigan State Capitol. The event, which began at 9 a.m., marked both the 70th anniversary year of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and Transit Equity Day. The tribute bus was wrapped to resemble the original vehicle preserved at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn, providing a tangible link to the historic events of 1955. Visitors were invited to tour the bus for free, exploring an interior timeline of the civil rights movement, viewing a silhouette of Rosa Parks in a window, and seeing her seat marked with an honorary cover.
The sense of reverence for Parks’ role in history was palpable at each event. Her refusal to give up her seat on December 1, 1955, led to her arrest and sparked the 381-day Montgomery Bus Boycott, a campaign that ultimately forced the hand of the nation’s legal system. On November 13, 1956, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that bus segregation was unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment, and just over a month later, Montgomery’s buses were officially integrated. The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. urged the Black community to resume riding the buses, marking a hard-won victory for civil rights activists and setting a precedent for the broader movement.
These modern-day tributes, from reserved seats to fare-free rides and commemorative buses, serve not only as reminders of Parks’ singular act of courage but also as calls to action for continued vigilance in the pursuit of equity. As TriMet noted, “Every seat taken is a tribute to Rosa Parks’ courage,” a sentiment echoed across the country as Americans boarded buses and trains mindful of the path Parks helped forge.
Transit agencies also used the day to highlight the crucial role that public transportation continues to play in connecting communities and promoting social justice. By waiving fares and inviting reflection, they underscored the idea that mobility is not just a matter of convenience, but a fundamental right that shapes access to education, employment, healthcare, and civic life.
In classrooms and on city streets, Parks’ legacy remains a living force. Students in Portland and visitors in Lansing engaged with her story through art, performance, and interactive exhibits. In Washington, D.C., and Denver, the simple act of reserving a seat or waiving a fare became a powerful symbol of inclusion and respect for all riders, regardless of background.
As the sun set on February 4, 2026, the message was clear: Rosa Parks’ stand on a Montgomery bus continues to reverberate through the nation’s transit systems, inspiring new generations to demand dignity, equity, and justice for all. The reserved seats, commemorative buses, and open doors of public transit serve as daily reminders that the journey toward equality is ongoing—and that every rider has a role to play in moving it forward.
