Older People & Public Transport – Challenges and Chances Experiences from the fieldwork Matthias...

Older People & Public Transport – Challenges and Chances

Experiences from the fieldwork

Matthias Fiedler

Rupprecht Consult – Forschung & Beratung GmbH

EMTA General Meeting

Bilbao, 27 April 2007

EMTA General Meeting, Bilbao, 27 April 2007

Overview

Challenges

Facts about Age & Mobility

Expectations of Older People

How does PT react?

Best Practice from European cities

Is PT prepared for Ageing Societies?

Which Role could PTA’s take?


“In our region, PT will be 100% accessible in 5 years…”

Germany 1990

Low floor buses and trams: <5%

Persons aged 70-75 holding a driving license: ~33%

...and 2020

Low floor buses and trams: >90%

Persons aged 70-75 holding a driving license: ~90%

In the future, older people will not be captive users anymore!


Challenges: Demographic Shifts

Population 65+ is expected to double between 1995 and 2050 in the EU-25

At the same time, number of younger people and “active population“ will decrease

Shifts in population balance

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

1995 2005 2050

Source: EUROSTAT 2006

Sh

are

of

60

+ in

%EU-25

France

Germany

Spain

Sweden

UK

Various Impacts on Public Transport Demand Patterns (Time,

Space, Quantity) Needs and Expectations

of Passengers


Challenges: Trends in Mobility Behaviour

The Car Generation grows old Increasing car ownership, particularly

among older women Quality of Life = maintain driving as

long as possible? People are less familiar with Public

Transport

Changing Mobility Patterns People stay active and fit for a longer

time Maintaining “mobility style” Changes in land use patterns

Diversification of the Older Population Ethnic minorities Lifestyles & personal preferences

gain importance

“Transport socialisation” more important than actual age!


Age related personal mobility constraints

Ageing has impacts on Mobility of limbs & physical power Senses & Reactions Cognitive Processes & Psychology Rate of Chronic Diseases

Ageing is a process rather than a stage

However: Age is not an Impairment!

“Older people” are not a homogeneous group

The sum of efforts is crucial, not particular barriers


Age related changes in mobility behaviour

Shifts from private car to Walking, PT and Cycling

Shorter trips concentrating on the proximity

Still ~3 trips/ day

Minimised mobility in very old age (85+)

Objective: Organise daily life independently

Coping strategies

Unmet travel need


What do Older People expect?

Ease of use

Seamless & non-exhaustive travel

Customer attention & approachable staff

Safety

Security & courtesy

Adapted environment

Removal of barriers for non-frequent users

Cleanliness & appearance


How does Public Transport react?

Focus on vehicles/ infrastructure

Security & safety mainly refers to CCTV schemes

Lack of activities to ease the use of PT

Low priority of soft measures and marketing


The KOLLA Project in Göteborg

Targets Make public transport accessible for

everybody Reduce costs

Activities Improve infrastructure & information Include walk to the next PT stop Integrate mainstream PT & DRT &

Flexible Lines Improved management of non-

mainstream PT Accompanied by staff & passenger

training, personal assistance


Staying mobile in the older age in Salzburg

64% of all PT accidents with people older than 65 years

Targets Enhance Safety Keep older people mobile Promote public transport

Activities Safety handbook Training of senior citizens (theory & practice) Staff training & improvements on vehicles Yearly “Mobility Day” Costumer service & communication Close cooperation with senior citizens’ organisation is

key to success


Proximity Mobility Planning in München

Mobility in older age focuses on the proximity of the own flat/ house

Targets Improve daily mobility of (older) urban dwellers Implement on less costly, organisational

measures Integrate strong participative elements

Micro-scale mobility planning in a inner city neighbourhood Small area selected (44.000 inhabitants, 4km2)

All modes – focus on walking, cycling and PT Different stakeholders – user organisations,

police, PT operator, city council Identifying issues & gaps Elaborating solutions in workshops with citizens

and planners


Friendly Agents in Lille

Driverless metros and security issues led to image problems

Targets Improve security Enhance service & quality Better image of PT

“Friendly Agents”: One solution for various issues Improved security avoiding menacing

appearance Enhanced information for all passengers Personal assistance for older & disabled people Decrease in fraud and vandalism “Giving PT a friendly face”


Innovative Tariff Schemes

Bremen: BOB-Ticket E-ticket that automatically selects best price

No knowledge on tariffs and zones necessary

Designed for non-frequent users

Rhine-Ruhr Area: “Bears’ Ticket” Addressing frequent users

Interested in activity & culture

Allows for free 1st class use

Embedded in activity campaign

Exclusive cultural events for ticket holders


Are we prepared for the future?

Efforts are necessary to gain older passengers – danger of steadily decreasing patronage

Physical accessibility has been improved but this is only one part of the job!

Land use issues

Persons with immigration background

Familiarise non-frequent users with PT

Promote the active, multimodal older passenger

Need for Integrated Approaches Consider the whole trip chain

Integrate all modes


Which role could PTA‘s take?

Define standards (information, training, environment,…)

Set-up integrated concepts

Link with urban planning issues

Involve stakeholders at the local level

Implement marketing & communication campaigns

Tariffs: Easy to use & attractive for non-frequent users

Push forward new & innovative schemes


Thank you!

Matthias [email protected]

Older People & Public Transport – Challenges and Chances Experiences from the fieldwork Matthias...

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