Vancouver- Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie today released Seniors Transportation: Affordable, Appropriate and Available. The report, which reflects over a year of consultation and research, concludes that changes are required to address some of the existing transportation systems and a new program will be required to fill some of the gaps.
“At the age of 65 approximately 90% of BC seniors have a driver’s licence but this drops to approximately 44% by the age of 85.” It is challenging when we begin retirement with driving ourselves to activities and appointments but find, many years later, that we are still living independently and engaged with our community but we are not able to get ourselves out and about by car any longer.
Most of the public transportation currently offered… traditional transit, HandyDART, Taxi Saver Vouchers, all offer support to some seniors some of the time, but none can fill all transportation needs for all seniors. While family and friends can fill many of the gaps they are a shrinking pool and “not all seniors have family and friends who can get them out and about,” stated Mackenzie.
For the full report, click here.
A complete list of the 15 recommendations made are attached and the full report is available at: http://www.seniorsadvocatebc.ca/