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Easy Rider
Program Launched to Attract Senior Citizens to
Public Transportation
More than 6,000 transit systems nationwide currently
provide some form of service for older riders
May 16, 2005 - To address the transportation needs
of older Americans, the public transportation industry is launching an
initiative to explore new and innovative ways to help seniors stay
mobile and independent. The initiative, called "Easy Rider: Advancing
Mobility Needs for Aging Americans," was developed by the American
Public Transportation Association (APTA) this May to coincide with Older
Americans Month.
Easy Rider is a collection of successful
activities, sample materials and case studies contributed by transit
systems that have taken steps to make public transportation more
attractive for seniors. More than 6,000 transit systems nationwide
currently provide some form of service for older riders. These range
from reduced fares and expanded use of low-floor vehicles to
personalized travel training sessions and policies that allow drivers to
deviate from bus routes to get as close as possible to requested stops.
"Aging Americans need to plan for their
transportation security just as they plan for their financial security
... and I'm proud that our industry is responding to this challenge,"
said William W. Millar, APTA's president. "By sharing stories about
transit's best practices, we will spark new and improved services in
communities throughout the country."
Despite the best efforts of transit agencies, the
mobility needs of America's aging population are becoming increasingly
critical issues. During the next 20 years, the number of Americans age
65 and older will double -- from 35 million to 70 million. Last year a
study by the Surface Transportation Policy Project, AARP and APTA found
that the United States is ill prepared to provide adequate
transportation choices for a rapidly aging population of baby boomers.
More than half of all non-drivers age 65 and older
stay at home and often become isolated largely because transportation
options are limited, particularly in rural and smaller communities. This
resulting isolation has serious social and economic ramifications for
the nation.
"There is no single solution to this problem," said
Millar. "Easy Rider promotes a broad range of programs that are helping
seniors feel more comfortable and more likely to use public
transportation. We want the list of successful ideas and services to
grow. Easy Rider is a beginning, not a conclusion."
Over the coming months, under APTA's leadership,
Easy Rider will continue to collect and share information about
exemplary transportation activities. In anticipation of the White House
Conference on Aging, October 23 - 26, 2005, APTA will continue to
highlight the critical mobility challenges facing the nation's aging
population and how transit systems are addressing these special needs.
Easy Rider is an industry-wide effort that calls attention to the
importance of creating and maintaining a vital, viable transit system
for older Americans.
"The mobility needs of seniors are no longer simply
family or personal issues, but must be a national priority," said
Millar. "The most successful senior mobility programs do not operate in
a vacuum. Only through federal and local partnerships that reward
community collaboration will long-term, viable transportation options be
available to older Americans now and in the future."
Below are several brief summaries of public
transportation programs that are helping make transit more convenient
and accessible for seniors.
APTA is a nonprofit international association of
more than 1,500 member organizations including public transportation
systems; planning, design, construction and finance firms; product and
service providers; academic institutions; and state associations and
departments of transportation. APTA members serve the public interest by
providing safe, efficient and economical public transportation services
and products. APTA members serve more than 90 percent of persons using
public transportation in the United States and Canada.
Summaries of Successful Transit
Programs
That Are Helping Seniors Stay Mobile
and Independent
Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS);
Charlotte, North Carolina
In 1989, the Charlotte Transit Area System (CATS)
began a special route for seniors that picked them up at various
locations throughout the city and transported them to grocery stores and
other essential destinations once or twice a week. Three years ago, CATS
began a series of initiatives to educate seniors about its bus service
and to demonstrate how easy and convenient public transportation can be.
By partnering with local churches, senior centers and community groups,
CATS sponsored "demonstration rides" to shopping malls and social events
for older residents. "Demonstration rides" are scheduled seven or eight
times a year.
In addition, CATS developed a database of bus stop
features that identify elements needing improvement and installed a new
trip-planning system to show photographs of stops to riders. Through the
Elderly General Purchase Transportation Program, the agency and the
Department of Social Services funds subsidized vouchers for use on local
taxis for older residents who neither live near a bus route nor are
eligible for transportation assistance through human service programs.
Seniors in Charlotte also pay only half fare, are guaranteed reserved
seating, and have access to low-floor or "kneeling" buses for easier
boarding and exiting.
Palm Tran; Palm Beach County, Florida
Palm Tran operates Seniors in Motion -- a
comprehensive public awareness and training program for seniors age 85
or older living in Palm Beach County. Many of these seniors live in
remote areas and gated communities with limited transportation options
other than driving. To reach this "stranded" population, Palm Tran
launched Seniors in Motion to inform older residents about its free
fixed-route service and reduced fares on door-to-door service. The
program also offers specialized training for those who may not know how
to use public transportation or may have difficulty traveling on transit
vehicles. Palm Tran conducts "travel training" seminars and
presentations at senior clubs, community centers and other
senior-related facilities to familiarize older residents with the public
transportation system, as well as with route planning. The agency has
two full-time trainers who have taught thousands of individuals how to
ride the bus and use rail services.
Port Authority of Allegheny County; Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania
The Port Authority sponsors ACCESS, a door-to-door
paratransit service for seniors and people with disabilities. Special
vehicles pick up customers at their homes and take them to destinations
including fixed route transit stations. There are no trip purpose
restrictions and no capacity denials. Older Americans are getting more
comfortable and familiar with the Port Authority fixed public
transportation services. In 2004 alone, seniors took 6.4 million rides
on the Port Authority's fixed routes.
The Port Authority participates in statewide aid
programs funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The state provides
funding that enables seniors to ride free on all fixed route systems
simply by showing a Medicare card or senior citizen identification card
available through the Port Authority. They also provide deep discounts
on shared-ride services. The Port Authority has replaced over half of
its bus fleet with low-floor buses to make it easier for seniors to get
on and off city buses.
Lane Transit District; Eugene, Oregon
Lane Transit District (LTD) operates a one-on-one
training initiative called the Bus Buddy Program. The Program teaches
seniors how to ride the bus in a relaxed way by breaking down barriers
and building confidence. LTD recruits regular bus riders to serve as
volunteers, known as Bus Buddies, and partners with local senior centers
to match individual seniors with these volunteers. Bus Buddies teach
seniors about the LTD transit system, as well as how to plan trips and
navigate routes. Each Bus Buddy and senior then ride the bus together.
Afterward, the pair discusses the trip and the Bus Buddy answers any
remaining questions about using public transportation in Eugene.
In addition, seniors age 62 and older can ride LTD
buses free every Tuesday, courtesy of community sponsors. Seniors
schedule doctors' appointments, visits with friends, and shopping trips
on Tuesdays to take advantage of this offer. This has become an
extremely popular program. For individuals age 70 or older, LTD offers a
"Pass for Life" card.
CityLink; Peoria, Illinois
In May 2004, CityLink launched a six-month program
to reach seniors living in the outskirts of Peoria. Most of the
communities are very rural and have limited access to and knowledge
about using public transportation. By partnering with two rural transit
service providers, CityLink was able to expand and improve service to
area supermarkets, banks, shopping plazas, medical centers and
hospitals, and the airport. Since many of the these seniors were
unfamiliar with public transportation, CityLink mailed "free passes"
included in a targeted brochure to suburban and rural seniors as an
incentive to try the bus system. Discounted fares (50 cents per trip)
were promoted as well.
Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA); Ann
Arbor, Michigan
In 1985, AATA expanded its door-to-door service by
offering seniors shared-ride taxi trips within city limits. The great
majority of the more than 5,000 seniors who qualify for the service do
not require dedicated vehicles with specialized equipment and drivers,
making taxi-operated trips less expensive overall. More than 50,000
rides were provided in 2004. AATA also offers a "Senior Ride Grocery
Trip" service, which has been providing trips since the mid-1980s from
10 housing facilities to five area grocery stores. For some seniors,
this is the only chance to get to the grocery store, and it has
developed into a social club with as many as 30 seniors taking the
"grocery bus," traveling and shopping together. Finally, AATA operates a
"Travel Training Program," with staff visiting local senior centers,
senior housing facilities and senior recreation facilities to educate
residents about their programs for seniors.
Paratransit, Inc. (supported by Sacramento
Regional Transit [RT] System); Sacramento, California
Paratransit, Inc. operates a Mobility Training
Program that offers specialized training for seniors and people with
disabilities who may have difficulty traveling on Regional Transit (RT)
buses and light rail vehicles. Training is usually provided in a
one-on-one setting, but is also done in small groups for facilities such
as senior housing complexes. Training includes familiarization with the
Sacramento RT system, route planning, use of wheelchair lifts and
securement devices, landmark identification, bus rules, and safety
issues. The agency has six full-time trainers who teach hundreds of
individuals each year how to ride the bus and use light rail.
Source: American Public Transportation
Association
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