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Study Benefits of Senior Busing

by Barbara Bryant

Many senior citizens' ability to drive safely diminishes as they age, but they often don't have access to convenient or accessible bus transportation. Taking their physical, lifestyle and scheduling needs into account in planning bus routes, schedules and services will increase their ability and willingness to use this form of public transportation.
Why Conduct Senior Busing Studies

Older citizens (age 55 and above) often develop physical conditions that can hinder their ability to drive, which may include: Impaired vision and/or hearing including night blindness. Reduced mobility and physical strength. Diminishing range of motion, sometimes due to injury, inactivity or arthritis. Delayed reflexes. Memory lapses. Dementia (due to Alzheimer's disease or other ailments). These conditions can greatly increase their risks of accidents. In addition, a study on the seniordrivers.org website cited another study published in the American Journal of Public Health that estimates men, on average, will spend their last seven years of life and women their last 10 unable or unwilling to drive. But many senior citizens are reluctant to travel by public transportation rather than driving because it represents a loss of independence, makes them feel unproductive and burdensome, or is inconvenient for logistical reasons, explains the study conducted by the Beverly Foundation and the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Devising a system of public transportation that is convenient for older citizens to use while helping them preserve their self-esteem is more likely to attract them as regular riders than one that is not geared to their special needs.

Travel Needs/Destinations

Older people often need to travel to certain destinations to meet daily, weekly and occasional needs, reports the Accessibility to Transportation on Long Island Study on senior citizens' transportation needs. These include trips to doctors or hospital appointments, shopping, church services, social service and social security centers, local senior centers, nutrition and meal-provision sites, and scheduled outings. The study also points out that many senior citizens, who are on fixed incomes, base their decisions on where to live on the basis of affordability rather than access to public transportation and, therefore, may be in serious need of transportation assistance.
Impediments to Use of Public Transportation

The study posted on seniordrivers.org includes survey responses from seniors who say the challenges to using public transportation include: Difficulties carrying loads when using public transportation. The need to walk to bus stops and walk up and down bus steps (multiple times when making transfers). Lack of patience on the part of bus drivers toward the physical or mental challenges senior citizens face. Emphasis on "point-to-point" rather than flex route or "need-oriented transportation." Exposure to the weather or lack of seating at bus stops.
Proposed Solutions

Suggestions in the seniordrivers.org-posted study that discusses how to make buses more senior-friendly included: Providing low floor and descending access platform buses for the mobility-impaired. Altering bus routes/schedules to better meet seniors' travel needs. Coordinating with volunteer groups to provide escorts to increase seniors' access/comfort. Providing door-to-door--not just bus-stop-based--service.