Understanding how the new rail system in Oahu is reshaping decisions around work, housing, and commuting can inform future transit investments. To get a more in-depth picture of how the Honolulu Skyline is influencing the labor market, I developed a spatial model with highly detailed data that allowed me to analyze commuting times, the employment rate, and the share of workers using public transit versus driving, both before and after the Skyline opened. It also allowed me to study the differences between higher- and lower-income workers.
Tyndall, Justin. 2025. “How New Mass Transit Affects Labor Markets: The Honolulu Skyline.” Policy and Research Brief. Kalamazoo, MI: W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research. https://doi.org/10.17848/pb2025-78