With $4.00 a gallon gasoline, people are starting to think about the high cost of driving. Yet, in this report and video from the Annie E. Casey foundation, you can see how access to car makes an enormous difference in the lives of low-income workers. From the introduction:

Low-income workers who are trying to reach self-sufficiency, stabilize their finances and move up the economic ladder must be able to connect to good jobs and meet family obligations. A car is often a necessity. However, common obstacles such as overpriced and unreliable cars, sub prime (high interest rate) loans, high down payments, hidden purchase costs, and the limitations caused by poor credit histories can prevent them from improving their lives through car ownership.