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

Author

Listed:
  • Wretstrand, Anders

    (Lund University; Sweden)

  • Svensson, Helena

    (Lund University; Sweden)

  • Fristedt, Sofi

    (Jönköping University; Sweden)

  • Falkmer, Torbjörn

    (Curtin University of Technology, Australia, University; Sweden)

Abstract

Several transportation factors concerning older and disabled people are under transition in Sweden at present. By the year 2010, the public transit system must be fully accessible for all passengers. The present survey studied older people, in order to assess the perceived travel opportunities. Questionnaires were sent to a sample of older citizens (75+) in three Swedish mid-sized municipalities. The general conclusions were that even though older people show appreciation of the existing travel opportunities, there was evidence for restricted mobility for some sub-groups of these older people, due to various perceived barriers. These groups have few optional modes, and despite various accessibility measures, special transportation services – the mandatory demand-responsive transport service – continues to provide crucial mobility. Hence, there is more to be done regarding accessibility and usability in public 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.

Suggested Citation

  • Wretstrand, Anders & Svensson, Helena & Fristedt, Sofi & Falkmer, Torbjörn, 2009. "Older people and local public transit: Mobility effects of accessibility improvements in Sweden," The Journal of Transport and Land Use, Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, vol. 2(2), pages 49-65.
    • Handle: RePEc:ris:jtralu:0025
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sandra Rosenbloom, 2001. "Sustainability and automobility among the elderly: An international assessment," Transportation, Springer, vol. 28(4), pages 375-408, November.
    2. Anders Wretstrand, 2007. "Comfort and Safety as Perceived by Wheelchair-Seated Bus Passengers," Transportation Planning and Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 30(2-3), pages 205-224.
    3. Alsnih, Rahaf & Hensher, David A., 2003. "The mobility and accessibility expectations of seniors in an aging population," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 37(10), pages 903-916, December.
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    1. Catherine Sundling & Mats E. Nilsson & Sara Hellqvist & Leslie R. Pendrill & Ragne Emardson & Birgitta Berglund, 2016. "Travel behaviour change in old age: the role of critical incidents in public transport," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 13(1), pages 75-83, March.
    2. Susanne T. Dale Nordbakke, 2019. "Mobility, Out-of-Home Activity Participation and Needs Fulfilment in Later Life," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-16, December.
    3. Sien Leong Liew & Siti Rahayu Hussin & Nawal Hanim Abdullah, 2021. "Attributes of Senior-Friendly Tourism Destinations for Current and Future Senior Tourists: An Importance-Performance Analysis Approach," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(1), pages 21582440219, March.
    4. Carlo Luiu & Miles Tight & Michael Burrow, 2017. "The unmet travel needs of the older population: a review of the literature," Transport Reviews, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(4), pages 488-506, July.
    5. Luiu, Carlo & Tight, Miles, 2021. "Travel difficulties and barriers during later life: Evidence from the National Travel Survey in England," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    6. Jones, Alasdair & Goodman, Anna & Roberts, Helen & Steinbach, Rebecca & Green, Judith, 2013. "Entitlement to concessionary public transport and wellbeing: A qualitative study of young people and older citizens in London, UK," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 202-209.
    7. Hansson, Lisa & Holmgren, Johan, 2018. "Cost effect of reorganising – A study of special transport services," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 453-459.
    8. Mifsud, Deborah & Attard, Maria & Ison, Stephen, 2017. "To drive or to use the bus? An exploratory study of older people in Malta," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 23-32.
    9. Kersting, Moritz & Kallbach, Felina & Schlüter, Jan Christian, 2021. "For the young and old alike – An analysis of the determinants of seniors’ satisfaction with the true door-to-door DRT system EcoBus in rural Germany," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).
    10. Hou, Yuting & Yap, Winston & Chua, Rochelle & Song, Siqi & Yuen, Belinda, 2020. "The associations between older adults’ daily travel pattern and objective and perceived built environment: A study of three neighbourhoods in Singapore," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 314-328.
    11. Elmira Jamei & Melissa Chan & Hing Wah Chau & Eric Gaisie & Katrin Lättman, 2022. "Perceived Accessibility and Key Influencing Factors in Transportation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-22, August.
    12. Nordbakke, Susanne, 2013. "Capabilities for mobility among urban older women: barriers, strategies and options," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 26(C), pages 166-174.
    13. Carlo Luiu & Miles Tight & Michael Burrow, 2018. "Factors Preventing the Use of Alternative Transport Modes to the Car in Later Life," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-21, June.
    14. Kostyniuk, Lidia P. & D'Souza, Clive R., 2020. "Effect of passenger encumbrance and mobility aid use on dwell time variability in low-floor transit vehicles," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 872-881.
    15. Hjorthol, Randi J. & Levin, Lena & Sirén, Anu, 2010. "Mobility in different generations of older persons," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 18(5), pages 624-633.
    16. Christopher Zegras & Jae Seung Lee & Eran Ben-Joseph, 2012. "By Community or Design? Age-restricted Neighbourhoods, Physical Design and Baby Boomers’ Local Travel Behaviour in Suburban Boston, US," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 49(10), pages 2169-2198, August.
    17. Johnson, Rebecca & Shaw, Jon & Berding, Jörn & Gather, Matthias & Rebstock, Markus, 2017. "European national government approaches to older people's transport system needs," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 17-27.
    18. Ryan, Jean & Wretstrand, Anders & Schmidt, Steven M., 2015. "Exploring public transport as an element of older persons' mobility: A Capability Approach perspective," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 105-114.

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    Keywords

    Transport;

    JEL classification:

    • R40 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - General

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