Study: Limited transportation isolates older population
More than 50% of non-drivers age 65 and older, or 3.6 million Americans, stay home on any given day because they lack transportation options.
More than half of all non-drivers age 65 and over stay at home on a given day, many because of limited transportation options, according to a new study. The study, “Aging Americans: Stranded Without Options,” released Wednesday by the Surface Transportation Policy Project (STPP) in collaboration with AARP, concludes that the existing transportation network is unable to meet the needs of the nation’s aging population, particularly as they become less willing and able to drive. “We must move aggressively to implement a balanced, multimodal transportation system, supported by mixed-use development,” said STPP President Anne Canby. Among the report findings, more than 50% of non-drivers age 65 and older, or 3.6 million Americans, stay home on any given day because they lack transportation options. Isolation of non-drivers affects the rural aging population disproportionately, said the report. In addition, older people who live in sparsely populated geographical areas have fewer transportation options, such as regular transit services, than those living in denser geographic areas. The report recommends providing more public transportation options, increasing funding and flexibility for existing programs to serve older people and better transportation planning with greater coordination with land-use planning. Improved human service and transportation coordination and improved street design and safety features were also recommended.
More Management
Building Stronger Leaders, More Resilient Transit Teams
Dr. Carol Parker Walsh discusses leadership development, employee retention, workplace culture, and preparing transit’s workforce for AI and automation.
Read More →
APTA 2026 TRANSform & EXPO Kicks Off in Chicago
After 45 years, APTA returns to Chicago with a focus on next-generation fleets, AI, connected transit networks, and the funding strategies shaping public transportation’s future.
Read More →
New York MTA Warns Federal Tariffs Could Add $1 Billion to Rolling Stock Costs
The agency said tariffs on specialized imported components could reduce the purchasing power of its $23 billion investment in new subway cars, railcars, and buses.
Read More →
From the Show Floor: What’s Happening at APTA TRANSform & EXPO 2026
Follow the latest product launches, partnerships, technology updates, and transit industry announcements coming out of APTA TRANSform & EXPO in Chicago.
Read More →
How Valley Metro Is Balancing Transit Growth With the Rider Experience
The APTA award-winning agency is pairing rapid system expansion with investments in workforce, safety, technology, and the fundamentals of transit service.
Read More →
Bus Tech Talk: Keeping Transit Technicians Ahead of the Technology Curve
In this episode of Bus Tech Talk, Complete Coach Works’ Business Development Manager Mark Hollenbeck and METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman sit down with Obed Mejia, Senior Technical Trainer for Bus Maintenance, at LA Metro to discuss how rapidly evolving bus technology is changing the maintenance shop — and the skills technicians need to keep pace.
Read More →
Michael Schneider Joins Paslay Group to Expand Transportation Practice
The longtime transportation executive will help Paslay Group grow its advisory and program management work across transit, highway, and other infrastructure sectors.
Read More →
People Movement: Connectpoint Expands Leadership Team, Stadler Names New Group CEO, and More
In this edition, we also spotlight recent personnel moves at Burns, UZURV, and more, highlighting the people taking on new roles across the transportation industry.
Read More →
More Than a Summer Job: Building the Next Generation of Transit Talent
The Delaware River Port Authority and PATCO have transformed their internship program into a hands-on professional development experience that introduces students to the breadth of transportation careers — and creates a pipeline for future employees.
Read More →
LA Metro Board Awards 220 Battery-Electric Bus Contract to ENC
The contract, which is the largest base award of battery-electric buses by a U.S. transit agency, will be built in Southern California, sustaining good jobs as LA prepares to welcome the world in 2028
Read More →