“I wouldn’t want to get on the bus”: Older Adult Public Transit Use and Challenges during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

This paper reports on older adult (65+) public transit users’ experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, a group more vulnerable to severe illness from the virus. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with public transit users in Hamilton, Ontario, results highlight inequalities between those with access to a car and those dependant on transit. Further, we examine the impact of the policies taken to reduce viral transmission on the City’s buses. For instance, boarding from back doors is physically strenuous for those with declining mobility. We conclude by stressing the importance of public transit, an essential service for many older adults.