The Future of Transport in an Ageing Society
This report sets out the key transport challenges that are arising from the UK’s ageing population and is a result of a project undertaken by the International Longevity Centre UK (ILC-UK) and Age UK. The report looks at and uses an analysis from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), as well as evidence from transport experts at a stakeholder’s workshop and the report argues that the current transport system is failing to meet the needs of too many older people.
One of the main findings in the report is that the current transport system is failing to meet the needs of too many older people. For example:
- Despite free bus travel, one third of over 65s in England never use public transport. And over half either never use public transport or use it less than once a month.
- Approximately 35,000 people aged 65-84 in England have difficulty walking even a short distance, but are restricted to using public transport making any journey difficult.
- 1.45 million over 65s find it quite difficult or very difficult to travel to a hospital, whilst 630,000 over 65s find it difficult or very difficult to travel to their GP.
- Among the over 80s less than 55% report finding it easy to travel to a hospital, a supermarket or a post office.
- Among the over 65s who report that it is ‘Very Difficult’ for them to travel to see their GP, less than 30% are in good health.
- Just 20% of those aged 70-74 living in rural areas use public transport weekly, compared to 38% of those who live in an urban setting.
The report also explores opportunities for improvements (e.g. opportunities presented by improvements in technology, opportunities from increased local decision making and opportunities from volunteering) and provides guidance on achieving change at a national and local level (e.g. Public transport providers should design their services with older transport users in mind, using technological improvements and customer insight to improve their experiences).
To Download a PDF version of the The Future of Transport in an Ageing Society report click here.
Alternatively if you would like further information on accessible transportation or the services OHAC provide, please do not hesitate to contact one of our team on 01-4151285 or e-mail [email protected]
