A new report by T4America and the Center for Neighborhood Technology finds that a large proportion of seniors in our communities lack transit access today and that in four years, 15.5 million seniors nationwide will find themselves without transportation options at all. The report, Aging in Place, Stuck Without Options, ranks metro areas by the percentage of seniors with poor access to public transportation, now and in 2015, and present other data on aging and transportation.
A closer look at the numbers for CT, NJ and NY show that an overwhelming majority of seniors in our region will be stuck without access to affordable travel options. According to AARP, seniors age 65 and older who no longer drive make 15% fewer trips to the doctor, 59% fewer trips to shop or eat out and 65% fewer trips to visit friends and family, than drivers of the same age.
These findings highlight the fact that many of our communities were designed and built without considering the needs of an aging population. However, there are steps lawmakers and transportation officials in our region are taking to fix that – by making it safer for seniors to walk and access public transportation. As previously mentioned on MTR, programs like NYSDOT’s SafeSeniors aimed at reducing traffic injuries and fatalities for older residents need to be expanded.
One of the best examples of how these targeted efforts enhance safety and quality of life for seniors is NYCDOT’s Safe Streets for Seniors program. NYCDOT examined accident histories across the city and identified 25 city neighborhoods that have both a high density of senior citizens and a high number of pedestrian accidents or injuries. NYCDOT engineers evaluate pedestrian conditions in these neighborhoods from a senior citizen’s perspective and make engineering changes, such as extending pedestrian crossing times at crosswalks and shortening crossing distances, altering curbs and sidewalks, restricting vehicle turns, and narrowing roadways. (See list of improvements here).
On the national level, T4America and AARP continue to push for national complete streets legislation that would require state DOTs to consider the needs and safety of all users of the road – including seniors who no longer drive.
Connecticut
| Metro Area | Population 65 and Older with Poor Transit in 2000 | Population 65 to 79 with Poor Transit in 2015 | % Change | % of Population 65 to 79 with Poor Transit in 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterbury, CT | 29,914 | 31,144 | +4% | 90% |
| Danbury, CT | 14,387 | 26,276 | +83% | 72% |
| Hartford, CT | 98,520 | 124,240 | +26% | 67% |
| Worcester, MA–CT | 38,842 | 47,998 | +24% | 65% |
| Stamford–Norwalk, CT | 24,238 | 31,579 | +30% | 54% |
| New Haven–Meriden, CT | 34,780 | 43,171 | +24% | 52% |
New Jersey
| Metro Area | Population 65 and Older with Poor Transit in 2000 | Population 65 to 79 with Poor Transit in 2015 | % Change | % of Population 65 to 79 with Poor Transit in 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monmouth–Ocean, NJ | 151,697 | 137,762 | -9% | 77% |
| Vineland–Millville–Bridgeton, NJ | 12,492 | 14,855 | +19% | 68% |
| Middlesex–Somerset–Hunterdon, NJ | 85,372 | 118,315 | +39% | 67% |
| Atlantic–Cape May, NJ | 26,788 | 28,574 | +7% | 50% |
| Philadelphia, PA–NJ | 267,725 | 350,621 | +31% | 46% |
| Newark, NJ | 103,676 | 145,415 | +40% | 46% |
| Trenton, NJ | 11,449 | 18,238 | +59% | 34% |
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TSTC is dedicated to supporting sustainable transportation, equitable planning policies and practices, and strong communities in the New York City metro area.
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Is much of the way transit operates suitable for elderly people who may have limited stamina, balance problems, or poor eyesight. I know people who would have a difficult time walking two blocks to a bus stop. Even low floor buses can be difficult to board for some. If you have balance problems would you want to be a standee in a transit bus or one one that starts before you get to your seat? Try determining which bus you need at a multiple route stop if you have poor eyesight. Some bus destination signs are difficult to read even for those with good eyesight. Many senior’s villages have their own minibus and while at age 72 I prefer taking regular route transit, I don’t know how long that will continue.
Clark I agree with you, but for those elderly that live out in the more rural areas it becomes even harder since these small cities do not offer bus service at all. I am surprised how inefficient it is to live away from a large city due to the inaccessibility of public transportation. I have seen some cities where they have minibuses for the elderly to use however there is no assistance for those who these buses to do their shopping. When are we going to learn to be helpful to all? If you live close to a senior citizen why not get to know them or offer to take them to the store, doctors office or to pick up a perscription? Did we forget our manners?