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Transportation & Aging

Transportation & Aging. Senior and Disabled Riders Transportation Summit December 6, 2013. The New Normal. Seniors are working longer Delaying Retirement Economy is a driving factor Dramatic impacts on families, community People are living longer than

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Transportation & Aging

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  1. Transportation & Aging Senior and Disabled Riders Transportation Summit December 6, 2013

  2. The New Normal • Seniors are working longer • Delaying Retirement • Economy is a driving factor • Dramatic impacts on families, community • People are living longer than anytime in history, unprecedented

  3. Next 20 Years 60 Plus to Double

  4. Age Demographics • Region has become older, Hispanic • 55-64 age group has absorbed 27.3% of all population growth in Washoe County • Nearly 25% of the population is now Over the age of 55 (up from 19.6% in 2000) • Asians are the 3rd largest racial group at 5.1% of the population • A second bulge in ages 15-24 is coming • Chad Giesinger, Senior Planner, Washoe County Community Services Department

  5. What we know about Transit • Does not meet needs, all demographics • The gap between demand and service is widening, especially for disabled • Operating revenue falling short • Barriers to expanding service, sales tax • Other providers not identified • More Transit Oriented Development

  6. Critical Issues • Reach family, friends, care providers • Access to food, doctors, employment • Prevents isolation, being shut-in • Aging in Place, prevents premature institutionalization • Promotes independence, self determination, Occupation of Life

  7. What is next • Planning for an “Aging” society • Boomers are becoming seniors, vulnerable • Not prepared for demographic shift, impacts • Next 10-20 years - an Aging Tsunami • Meeting needs all ages, abilities • Planners to develop using Universal concepts, accessibility for all

  8. Recent Trends • Affordable housing in rural communities: fewer services, food, medical, employment • Fastest growing areas: • Cold Springs (275%) • Spanish Springs (140%) • Rurals: Commute by car, traffic congestion, public transportation is sparse • RTC, Senior & ADA Transportation Issues

  9. Disability concerns • 3400 people certified for paratransit • Changes in paratransit eligibility • ACCESS is expensive - twice the cost of the fixed-route service RIDE • ACCESS fare is $3 one way, double in rural communities ($6) or non-ADA • ACCESS true cost is $20-$25 a trip

  10. What we hear - RIDE • RIDE not accessible to wheelchair • RIDE is 100% wheelchair ADA accessible • Some buses lack low steps to board • Each bus has a front-end "kneeling" feature • that lowers the first step to curb level • Drivers do not help boarding/exiting • Bus stops not within walking distance • Bus routes & service changes unpredictable

  11. What we hear - ACCESS • Drivers assistance not door-to-door • ADA & Non-ADA trips too costly • Medical trips - dialysis unaffordable • Wait time for bus too long • Time on bus too long • Paratransit certification limits eligibility, reduces options to travel

  12. Gaps in Service - Needs • More Transit Oriented Planning for: • housing, employment, special needs • Safe communities, pedestrian use • Bus stops accessible, walking distance • Bus shelters, benches for all stops • Increase taxi voucher access, funding • More local and regional providers

  13. Barriers to Change • Public transportation limited by NRS Chapter 377A to Washoe Sales Tax • Grant opportunity limited, funding match • Costs of service: revenue per trip, fuel • Costs for riders: subsidized • Voter dislike tax increases for funding

  14. Barriers to Change • Transportation partnerships limited • No coordinated system, plan • Geography - isolated neighborhoods • Service area driven by population density rather than consumer need • No volunteer network identified, costs

  15. Suggestions • Stable funding for growth • Better planning in transit corridors, stimulates economic growth, jobs • Transit opportunities: flex-route, shopper, shuttles, Dial-a-Ride, etc. • Mobility trainers, customer sensitivity • Coordinate regional providers: Carson City, Lake Tahoe, Lyon and Churchill County

  16. Questions? • Advancing Opportunities for Seniors Senior Spectrum Connie McMullen seniorspectrumnv@aol.com (775) 348-0717 P.O.Box 7124 Reno, NV 89510

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