Brochure helps identify transportation choices
The average age of retirement in the United States is 60 years old. At this young age, most people don't think they will ever have to stop driving. To assist older drivers in minimizing future mobility limitations, CUTR recently developed a brochure that addresses issues and alternatives.
Housing and transportation
The more choices available for transportation, the more active we are, but these choices depend heavily on where we decide to live. Transportation options include walking, bicycling, buses, door-to-door transportation, taxis, and, in some communities, golf carts. Not all housing situations are equal in providing for these transportation options. The following are some neighborhood/housing characteristics for an older adult to consider when planning for transportation options:
. A mix of homes, businesses, and community facilities within walking distance of the home (churches, senior centers, doctor's offices, beauty shops, and congregate meal sites).
. Continuous sidewalks throughout the neighborhood, including along busy roads.
. Safe access for walking from the neighborhood into neighboring shopping plazas.
. Protected walking areas in large parking lots.
. Crosswalks and walk signals designed to accommodate people with disabilities and older people who may walk more slowly.
. A bus stop within a quarter of a mile or less of the home and continuous sidewalks that connect the home to the bus stop.
. Bus stops with shade, a place to sit, protection from bad weather, adequate lighting, and telephones.
Personal transportation costs
Personal transportation costs make up a large percentage of a family's budget. Therefore, it is important for an older adult to understand the full cost of different transportation options. There are two costs of driving a car: ownership costs and operating costs. Annual ownership costs stay the same no matter how many miles a vehicle is driven. But yearly operating costs depend on the number of miles the car is driven. Ownership costs make up the majority of the cost of driving a car. The yearly cost of taking the bus is much less than driving a car if one does not own a car. And taking a taxi for all trips is, without a doubt, the most expensive transportation option.
Alternatives to the car
There are many ways to get around other than driving a car. These options include bus service, door-to door public transportation, private taxis, carpools/vanpools, and residence-provided transportation. Home delivery services also provide an option for accessing goods and services.
Unfortunately, the reality is that there are not enough transportation options available for older adults. But, several groups are trying to change that reality.
In Orlando, USAA Insurance will soon be starting a new program for their older members. Anyone who chooses not to drive (except in emergencies) will get a 90 percent decrease in their insurance bill and luxury taxi service for a flat fee of $1,080 every three months (36 roundtrips).
In Brevard County, Florida, Space Coast Area Transit has a new service called Volunteers in Motion. This service provides transportation and more to frail elderly individuals in the community. The service is provided by volunteers, who provide transportation to the grocery store, as well as help shop and unpack the groceries.
Also in Brevard County, vanpools are being run by homeowner's associations. The County buys the vans and lets the homeowner's associations use the vans for trips for their residents. The homeowner's association pays for the operation of the van. A volunteer from the neighborhood drives the vehicle and takes residents to the grocery store, shopping mall, and doctors' offices.
The brochure and additional information on local transportation resources will be distributed in the coming months to local areas throughout Florida.
For further information, contact CUTR Research Associate Laura C. Lachance at (813) 974-9793, lachance@cutr.usf.edu.
Please direct all comments and/or questions regarding this page to webmaster@cutr.usf.edu .
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