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Transportation » Summary

Why It's Important

Transportation and mobility are an essential part of the community infrastructure that helps people gain access to goods, services, and social contacts that support their daily activities and quality of life. Suburban areas often lack sufficient transit options and this is where many older people now live. Transportation is a symbol of personal freedom and has become essential to the independence and mobility of most individuals.

 

See Data By: Richmond MSA | Virginia | National

How Richmond Is Doing

Expected growth in the Richmond area from 2000 to 2030 of those aged 65+ is greater in the suburban counties than it is in Richmond City:

Area 2000 Population of those 65+ Percentage of Population of those 65+ in 2000 2030 Population of those 65+ Percentage of Population of those 65+ in 2030 Growth between 2000 and 2030 of population of those 65+
Richmond City 26,129 13% 43,502 23% 66%
Chesterfield County 21,007 8% 90,252 22% 330%
Hanover County 9,159 11% 16,850 18% 84%
Henrico County 32,601 12% 64,193 18% 97%
Powhatan 1,883 8% 10,173 24% 440%
Source: US Census

 

  • Transit options in the Richmond Area:
    • Richmond City – GRTC Bus Service, Amtrak, Express Commuter Bus to Fredericksburg (VRE)
    • Chesterfield County – Limited GRTC Bus Service
    • Hanover County – Amtrak, Express Commuter Bus to Fredericksburg (VRE), No Local Service
    • Henrico County – Limited GRTC Bus Service
    • Powhatan County – No Service
  • In the 2007 VA State of the Commute Study, 55 percent of those who live in Richmond reported bus or train companies providing services in the area that they live. In this study, Richmond included Richmond, Petersburg, Colonial Heights, and Hopewell cities and Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent, and Powhatan counties.
  • The 2007 VA State of the Commute Study also looked at the primary commute mode of respondents. The following chart is a breakdown among the total population in Richmond as well as Baby Boomers and Seniors. The sample size for Seniors (GI/Silent Generation) is very small, and therefore the differences are not significant.

Primary Commute Mode - Richmond

 

How Virginia Is Doing

Two in Three Virginians Say Tranportation Is Important

(ODP RESIDENT, 2008)

Only One in Four Virginia PResidents Say Regions Perform Well on Transportation

According to a 2007 survey of Virginia AARP members:

  • 91% believe that increased public transportation funding for the elderly and disabled is important.
  • Over 80% support increased communication between human services agencies, to prevent overlap and gaps in transportation.
  • Among members with low health and disability status, only 24% are extremely satisfied with how their transportation needs are being met.
  • Although 43% reported walking as a viable alternative to driving, this percentage significantly decreases as age and disability level increase.

(AARP PPI, 2007 Virginia Member survey, 2007)

How the U.S. Is Doing

According to a 2002 AARP report on understanding transportation 50+ consumers 60 % of older Americans, expect to depend on rides from friends and family when they can no longer drive.

(AARP, UNDERSTANDING SENIOR TRANSPORTATION, 2002)

According to the American Public Transportation Association, “America’s aging population is growing at a faster rate than any other U.S. population group, and public transportation systems must continue to be expanded and enhanced to meet this group’s needs. Through the commitment of more transportation dollars to public transit systems, the U.S. will be better able to keep pace with the mobility needs of older persons.”

(AMERICAN PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION

MOBILITY FOR AN AGING POPULATION)

AARP published a report entitled Beyond 50.05 that addresses Livable Communities and found that transportation and mobility matter:

  • For most individuals age 50 and older, transportation means driving themselves.
  • Individuals age 50 and older who do not drive have significantly lower levels of mobility than do those who do drive.
    • One of eight persons age 50 and older and one of five persons age 65 and older do not drive. Health and disability affect whether individuals drive.
    • Three-quarters of persons age 50 and older with a long-lasting condition that limits one or more basic physical activities drive, compared with more than nine of 10 persons without such a disability.
    • Non-drivers age 50 and older make less than half the number of trips made by drivers and are six times as likely as drivers to frequently or occasionally miss doing something they would like to do because they have no transportation.
    • Riding with someone else is the most common means of transportation for non-drivers.
    • Although persons age 50 and older use public transportation for a very small portion of their trips, this option is important for those who use it.

    (AARP, BEYOND 50.05, 2005)

According to a report led by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging entitled, The Maturing of America - Getting Communities on Track for an Aging Population many communities are not addressing the mobility needs of an aging population. For example:

  • Only 56 percent of communities reported having "dial a ride" or door-through-door transportation services.
  • Only 40 percent of communities reported having road signage that meets the needs of older drivers.

(N4A, MATURING OF AMERICA, 2005)

 

Data & Information Sources

AARP, Beyond 50.05, 2005

http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/il/beyond_50_communities.pdf

AARP Public Policy Institute, 2007 Virginia Member Survey, 2007 http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/general/va_member_07_transport_needs.pdf

AARP, Public Policy Institute, Understanding Senior Transportation: Report and Analysis of a Survey of Consumers Age 50+, 2002
http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/il/2002_04_transport.pdf

American Public Transportation Association, Mobility for an Aging Population
http://www.napta.net/files/pdf/pubs_seniors.pdf

National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (N4A), The Maturing of America - Getting Communities on Track for an Aging Population, 2005
http://n4a.org/pdf/MOAFinalReport.pdf

NAPTA, Public Transportation Advocates in Action
http://www.napta.net/actioncenter/resources/publications/seniors.asp

The Benefits of Public Transportation: Mobility for the Aging Population -- American Public Transportation Association & Public Transportation Partnership for Tomorrow
http://www.napta.net/files/pdf/pubs_seniors.pdf

Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation: 2007 VA State of the Commute
http://www.drpt.virginia.gov/activities/stateofcommute.aspx