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Transportation Options for Senior and Disabled Riders Summit

This summit explores the impact of aging demographics on transportation, focusing on gaps in services and barriers to accessibility. Topics include transit needs for seniors, disabled riders, recent trends, and suggestions for improvement in public transportation.

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Transportation Options for Senior and Disabled Riders Summit

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  1. Transportation & Aging Senior and Disabled Riders Transportation Summit December 6, 2013

  2. The New Normal • Seniors are working longer • Delaying Retirement • Economy is a driving factor • Dramatic impacts on families, community • People are living longer than anytime in history, unprecedented

  3. Next 20 Years 60 Plus to Double

  4. Age Demographics • Region has become older, Hispanic • 55-64 age group has absorbed 27.3% of all population growth in Washoe County • Nearly 25% of the population is now Over the age of 55 (up from 19.6% in 2000) • Asians are the 3rd largest racial group at 5.1% of the population • A second bulge in ages 15-24 is coming • Chad Giesinger, Senior Planner, Washoe County Community Services Department

  5. What we know about Transit • Does not meet needs, all demographics • The gap between demand and service is widening, especially for disabled • Operating revenue falling short • Barriers to expanding service, sales tax • Other providers not identified • More Transit Oriented Development

  6. Critical Issues • Reach family, friends, care providers • Access to food, doctors, employment • Prevents isolation, being shut-in • Aging in Place, prevents premature institutionalization • Promotes independence, self determination, Occupation of Life

  7. What is next • Planning for an “Aging” society • Boomers are becoming seniors, vulnerable • Not prepared for demographic shift, impacts • Next 10-20 years - an Aging Tsunami • Meeting needs all ages, abilities • Planners to develop using Universal concepts, accessibility for all

  8. Recent Trends • Affordable housing in rural communities: fewer services, food, medical, employment • Fastest growing areas: • Cold Springs (275%) • Spanish Springs (140%) • Rurals: Commute by car, traffic congestion, public transportation is sparse • RTC, Senior & ADA Transportation Issues

  9. Disability concerns • 3400 people certified for paratransit • Changes in paratransit eligibility • ACCESS is expensive - twice the cost of the fixed-route service RIDE • ACCESS fare is $3 one way, double in rural communities ($6) or non-ADA • ACCESS true cost is $20-$25 a trip

  10. What we hear - RIDE • RIDE not accessible to wheelchair • RIDE is 100% wheelchair ADA accessible • Some buses lack low steps to board • Each bus has a front-end "kneeling" feature • that lowers the first step to curb level • Drivers do not help boarding/exiting • Bus stops not within walking distance • Bus routes & service changes unpredictable

  11. What we hear - ACCESS • Drivers assistance not door-to-door • ADA & Non-ADA trips too costly • Medical trips - dialysis unaffordable • Wait time for bus too long • Time on bus too long • Paratransit certification limits eligibility, reduces options to travel

  12. Gaps in Service - Needs • More Transit Oriented Planning for: • housing, employment, special needs • Safe communities, pedestrian use • Bus stops accessible, walking distance • Bus shelters, benches for all stops • Increase taxi voucher access, funding • More local and regional providers

  13. Barriers to Change • Public transportation limited by NRS Chapter 377A to Washoe Sales Tax • Grant opportunity limited, funding match • Costs of service: revenue per trip, fuel • Costs for riders: subsidized • Voter dislike tax increases for funding

  14. Barriers to Change • Transportation partnerships limited • No coordinated system, plan • Geography - isolated neighborhoods • Service area driven by population density rather than consumer need • No volunteer network identified, costs

  15. Suggestions • Stable funding for growth • Better planning in transit corridors, stimulates economic growth, jobs • Transit opportunities: flex-route, shopper, shuttles, Dial-a-Ride, etc. • Mobility trainers, customer sensitivity • Coordinate regional providers: Carson City, Lake Tahoe, Lyon and Churchill County

  16. Questions? • Advancing Opportunities for Seniors Senior Spectrum Connie McMullen seniorspectrumnv@aol.com (775) 348-0717 P.O.Box 7124 Reno, NV 89510

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