How does access to public transit affect the quality of life of seniors over 75 in Ottawa? A qualitative analysis (Ontario).

摘要

The growing aging population in Ottawa presents serious challenges about the way we plan the future of our city. Seniors are likely to age in place in suburban areas, making the provision of transit service in these areas important but problematic. Furthermore, the literature makes two assumptions about the travel patterns of seniors: first, they will drive as long as possible, often well into their eighties and beyond; and second, the growing aging population will result in an increased demand for public transit service. These assumptions are explored using qualitative methods in the form of focus groups and interviews, asking seniors to evaluate their need for accessible public transit, their likelihood of using transit if they lose their license and the connection they see between the availability of accessible public transit and their ability to maintain a high quality of life.; The results demonstrate that seniors do not plan for the mobility challenges inherent in life after driving. Access to and availability of public transit influences the social activities they participate in, decreases isolation and enables independence amongst non-driving seniors interviewed, qualities all linked to improvements in overall quality of life. Non-drivers prefer specialized door-to-door service to conventional transit, pointing toward the need to educate seniors about accessibility improvements made to conventional transit infrastructure.