19. Transportation
Simply defined as an area of focus, transportation is safe, affordable and accessible movement in communities. More specifically, transportation is an essential component of the community infrastructure that helps people gain access to goods, services, and social contacts that support their daily activities and quality of life.
Over 75 percent of the respondents report driving a vehicle as their primary method of transportation. The method of transportation and satisfaction with transportation remained the same from 2004 to 2008.
Table 19.1 Usual Method of Transportation
| When you need to get somewhere, how do you usually get there? |
Percent of respondents 2004 |
Percent of respondents 2008 |
| Drive self |
77% |
78% |
| Get ride with family or friends |
18% |
17% |
| Walk |
1% |
1% |
| Take taxi |
1% |
0% |
| Use public transportation |
2% |
2% |
| Use senior or community vans |
1% |
1% |
| Take transport provided to people with disabilities |
1% |
1% |
| Other, specify |
1% |
1% |
| Total |
100% |
100% |
Overall, the majority of older Texans are satisfied with their ability to get around town.
Table 19.2 Satisfaction with Transportation and Driving
| "How satisfied are you with …" |
Very satisfied |
Somewhat satisfied |
Somewhat dissatisfied |
Very dissatisfied |
Total |
| Survey year 2004: The way you currently get around |
72% |
18% |
6% |
4% |
100% |
| Survey year 2008: The way you currently get around |
68% |
20% |
7% |
5% |
100% |
Availability
Lack of transportation can have an impact on overall quality of life. According to the Surface Transportation Policy Project (www.transat.org), nationwide older non-drivers make 15 percent fewer doctor visits, 59 percent fewer trips for shopping and dining, and
65 percent fewer trips for social family and religious activities. DADS, in conjunction with AAAs, and community-based organizations, help many older people obtain transportation.
A shown in table 19.3, non-drivers sometimes cannot get where they need to go.
Table 19.3 Unable to Go Somewhere for Lack of Transportation
| How often have you been unable to go somewhere (e.g., cancel an appointment, not meet an obligation) |
Frequently |
Sometimes |
Rarely |
Never |
Total |
| Survey year 2004: Because you did not have transportation |
15% |
20% |
21% |
44% |
100% |
| Survey year 2008: Because you did not have transportation |
15% |
20% |
16% |
49% |
100% |
For those who rely on alternative transportation services (e.g., rides with others, public transit systems), a common barrier is the amount of time it takes to travel between destinations. Approximately 18 percent of non-drivers reported in 2008 they were unable to get a ride where they needed to go in a reasonable amount of time (14 percent in
2004).
If they needed assistance in getting somewhere 56 percent of non-drivers reported knowing where to go for help with transportation and mobility.
Affordability
Between 2004 and 2008, the number of respondents who reported that the cost of obtaining transportation was either very affordable or somewhat affordable declined from
80 percent to 75 percent, while those who said it was either somewhat unaffordable or very unaffordable increased from 21 percent to 26 percent. The 2008 survey was conducted in the summer, when gasoline prices were at historic highs.
Table 19.4 Cost of Transportation for Non-Drivers
| Would you say that the cost of obtaining a ride/transportation is...? |
Very affordable |
Somewhat affordable |
Somewhat unaffordable |
Very unaffordable |
Total |
| Survey year 2004: (Non-drivers only) |
49% |
31% |
5% |
16% |
100% |
| Survey year 2008: (Non-drivers only) |
45% |
30% |
13% |
13% |
100% |
Table 19.5 Cost of Operating a Car
| Would you say that the cost of operating a car is…? |
Large problem |
Moderate problem |
Small problem |
No problem |
Total |
| Survey year 2004: (Drivers only) [28] |
14% |
20% |
20% |
46% |
100% |
| Survey year 2008: (Drivers only) [28] |
22% |
21% |
17% |
40% |
100% |
Footnotes
- Statistically significant: Respondents in 2008 were more likely to report that the cost of operating a car was a problem, compared to those who responded in 2004.
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Updated:
April 11, 2012
