Senior-friendly transportation
Current alternatives don’t meet everyone’s needs
While alternatives to driving do exist, there clearly are gaps. For some, alternatives that meet their specific needs may not be available. And for others, the alternatives may not be affordable or practical.
Driving may no longer be an option. But the focus must remain on continued mobility if individuals, families and communities are to benefit from an active, engaged seniors’ population.
Senior-friendly transportation and the Five “A”s
Our research tells us that in order to be “senior-friendly,” transportation services need to meet the Five “A”s. What are they?
# Available in your community, where and when you need it.
# Accessible for seniors and those with special needs.
# Acceptable means that it meets safety, cleanliness and other criteria.
# Affordable so that transportation costs do not become a barrier to continued mobility.
# Appropriate for use by, and to meet the transportation needs of seniors.
Many seniors do not have access to transportation that meets the Five “A”s.
What is the BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation doing?
The BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation initiated a roundtable discussion on alternative transportation for seniors in Summer 2008. A second roundtable was held in Spring 2009. Both were attended by seniors, representatives of seniors’ organizations, government, research and social agencies. A number of recommendations have come out of those meetings and are described in the newsletter On the Move.
Spring 2009 [PDF]
Summer 2008 [PDF]
The Foundation is working with the various participating agencies and individuals to ensure that steps are being taken to meet the recommendations and fill the transportation gaps for BC seniors.
We are currently investigating a popular American program to see if it is feasible in BC. The program, ITN America provides “dignified transportation for seniors” and currently operates in several US cities. Through this program, seniors have access to transportation when they want it, where they want if, for any purpose, at a price that is affordable and in a way that meets their needs.
This page will be updated as new information is available.