Older people and local public transit: Mobility effects of accessibility improvements in Sweden

Abstract

Several transportation factors concerning older and disabled people are under transition in Sweden at present. By the year 2010, the public transit systemmust be fully accessible for all passengers. e present survey studied older people, in order to assess the perceived travel opportunities. Ques- tionnaires were sent to a sample of older citizens (75+) in three Swedishmid-sizedmunicipalities. e general conclusions were that even though older people show appreciation of the existing travel oppor- tunities, there was evidence for restricted mobility for some sub-groups of these older people, due to various perceived barriers. ese groups have fewoptionalmodes, and despite various accessibility mea- sures, special transportation servicesthemandatory demand-responsive transport servicecontinues to provide crucialmobility. Hence, there ismore to be done regarding accessibility and usability in pub- lic transit for older people. Further studies have to clarify reasons for bus travel cessation. Even larger efforts have to be put into accessibility improvements, in particular intermediate transit solutions in order to meet the regulations and policies.