Transportation
Funding
In some cases, funding is designated specifically for older adults. Other programs provide funds to enhance the city/county public transportation system accessible by the general population, including older adults.
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The Transit Capital Assistance Program for Elderly Persons and Persons with Disabilities (FTA Section 5310) provides funding to urbanized, small urban, and rural areas to purchase buses, vans, and related capital items, and to engage in the purchase of service contracts. FTA Section 5310 provides 53 percent of vehicles, for the approximately 3,700 organizations nationally, who provide transportation services to seniors and people with disabilities.
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The Non-urbanized Area Formula Transit Grants Program (FTA Section 5311) provides funding to help rural and suburban public systems provide easier access to health care, shopping, education, employment, public services, and recreation for the elderly, people with disabilities, and the poor.
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The Urbanized Areas (50,000+) Grants Program (FTA Section 5307) provides funding for public transportation (e.g., city bus systems) in urban areas.
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The Rural Transit Assistance Program funds are used to help design and implement training and assistance projects and other support for non-urban public transit providers.
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The Over-the-Road Bus Accessibility Program funds are provided to upgrade buses with lifts and other accessibility components in compliance with Americans with Disability Act (ADA) guidelines.
These funds are often used to enhance urban, "fixed-route" bus systems designed to move people in and out of urban downtown areas. Yet, public transportation usage rates among older adults remain low. Community surveys in Texas reveal that only six percent of transit passengers are over 65. Less than half of all urban households are located within half a mile of a transportation stop. In rural areas, only one in eight households have such access.
As suburbs have spread, a parallel "demand-response" system emerged, allowing people to call and arrange bus or van rides for specific purposes. Utilization remains low, however, as non-drivers still rely heavily on family and friends for transport. Reliance on family and friends can pose challenges for those who cannot take time away from work to drive to nearby cities. Only 13 percent of adults over 50 participate in ride-sharing programs, and five percent either walk or use public transit, taxis, and community or senior vans.
Updated: November 2, 2007
