Transportation & Aging
Senior and Disabled Riders
Transportation Summit
December 6, 2013
The New Normal
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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
Next 20 Years 60 Plus to Double
Age Demographics
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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
What we know about Transit
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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
Critical Issues
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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
What is next
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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
Recent Trends
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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
Disability concerns
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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
What we hear - RIDE
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RIDE not accessible to wheelchair
• RIDE is 100% wheelchair ADA accessible
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Some buses lack low steps to board
• Each bus has a front-end "kneeling" feature
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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
What we hear - ACCESS
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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
Gaps in Service - Needs
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More Transit Oriented Planning for:
• housing, employment, special needs
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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
Barriers to Change
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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
Barriers to Change
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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
Suggestions
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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
Questions?
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Advancing Opportunities for Seniors
Senior Spectrum
Connie McMullen
seniorspectrumnv@aol.com
(775) 348-0717
P.O.Box 7124
Reno, NV 89510