The Montgomery Alabama Bus Boycott

Most math teachers are looking for ways to make math more interesting and relatable to students.  Teachers also look at ways to incorporate other subjects into math.  So the other day, Dr Who gave me an idea of a topic that would be perfect in both Social Studies and Math.

We know that Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat when requested to move so there'd be another row for "Whites".  We know this lead to a community boycott of the bus, and a couple of court cases ending bus segregation in Montgomery Alabama but what do we know of the economic repercussions of this event?

The boycott lasted 381 days, just over 1 year.  The boycott did some economic damage by denying the city income from transportation because 75% of the ridership were African American.  Due to the decreased ridership, many drivers lost jobs because fewer buses ran.  It is estimated that about half of the 44,000 African American residents used the bus daily.

The transit company lost 30,000 to 40,000 fares every single day amounting to at a loss of at least  $3000 per day since the cost was only ten cents per ride.  Instead of riding the bus people carpooled, took rolling taxi's run by churches, or walked up to 8 miles to work.  Overall, revenue for the bus company dropped 69% leading to drivers being laid off and routes being cut. By the end of the boycott the Montgomery city lines lost $750,000

Over 300 cars were used to transport people around Montgomery during the boycott so these cars increased the purchase of gas and oil as they were running more often.  This meant gas stations started to make more money but the cars underwent increased wear and tear.

There is enough information here for students to put it all together.

1.  If the bus company lost $3000 every day, that means its based on 30,000 fares at ten cents per day.
2.  Again based on losing $3000 per day with a total loss of $750,000 that means it accounts for 250 days out of the total 381 days.  What might account for the differences between the 250 days and the 381?
3.  If they lost $3000 per day and that represented 69% of their normal income, how much did they normally make?
4.  If only half of the 44,000 people rode the bus normally, what might explain the loss of $3000 per day?

There are other questions which could be asked but I'd let students see what mathematical questions they could come up with from all the information provided in this entry.  Then I'd share the four questions I've provided.

Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  have a great day.