Impact of bridging technology on older adults’ use of demand-responsive transit in a super-aged society

Aging populations worldwide face increasing mobility challenges, particularly in rural areas where conventional public transit is limited. Demand-Responsive Transit (DRT) systems have emerged as a key solution to improve accessibility for older adults. However, low levels of digital literacy create significant barriers to accessing these services. To address this barrier, bridging technologies serve as behavioral nudges, linking advanced systems with simple, user-friendly interfaces. This study examines the impact of such a bridging technology on reshaping demand for DRT and Fixed-Route Transit (FRT) in South Korea, a rapidly aging society where this challenge is particularly acute. Specifically, we focus on a physical call button installed in senior centers, which enables older adults to connect directly with a customer service operator and request DRT service to their destination. While South Korea provides the empirical context, the study offers insights that may be relevant to other aging societies facing similar mobility challenges. The causal impact of this bridging technology is evaluated in Cheongju, South Korea. Results show that approximately 80% of service areas experienced an increase in DRT trips following the introduction of the bridging technology. This growth reflects two key trends: increased use of both DRT and FRT services, and additional DRT trips generated by modal shifts from non-public transits or newly induced demand. DRT trip growth was significantly associated with built environment characteristics, including senior center density and distance to medical facilities. These findings highlight the potential of simple, low-tech interventions to improve accessibility of advanced public transit for aging populations.