ENGAGEING OLDER PEOPLE IN TRANSPORTATION A BAY OF PLENTY REGIONAL COUNCIL RESEARCH PROJECT SOME INSIGHTS CAROLE GORDON 2019 This project is a first step in gaining insights from older people as key stakeholders in shaping our future mobility.

more accessible and convenient. THE VIEW SHAFT As transportation shifts into a digital on demand era of shared mobility, it is vital that transport planning is well informed on the needs, desires, and motivations of increasing numbers of people living longer. This project is a peek into Elder travel behaviors, travel preferences, and perceptions of current provisions and changes needed to make public transport more accessible and convenient. International research and emerging innovation indicates that new transport systems can now provide ‘smart,’ connected, liveable communities that foster walking, cycling, the use of sustainable human-centred technologies and innovative age and disability friendly public transport modes.

METHODOLOGY The qualitative and quantitative enquiry asked a sample of mature, older, and older-old people, about their current mobility behaviors, and preferences, about their places of travel, and their experience using public transport. A focused literature review, four focus groups, a fono, interviews, and questionnaire were undertaken. As key stakeholders they were also asked about barriers that limit their use of PT, what infrastructure could be improved, and what they thought might influence their benefit as passengers from future use of emerging technologies in safe, accessible, demand responsive, mobility as a service, efficient transportation and planning processes.

CULTURAL IDENTITY Most older people who drive a car prefer to continue for as long as possible, because it is part of their cultural lifestyle and the landscape of their living environment. Participants indicated: Real interest in using buses if convenient Issues with transfers, buses and infrastructure Openness to explore future options

PROJECT STRATEGIC RELEVANCE NOT BUSINESS AS USUAL TAURANGA CITY 130% INCREASE IN NO OVER 75YRS BY 2030 Today many sub-regional mesh blocks have 70% over 70yrs now Opportunity now for: Maximising wellbeing social value through investment in public transport to reduce the cost of elder dependency, the carbon footprint, congestion and optimize silver economic sustainability. Integrating three megatrend actions- climate change, pop-ageing, technology Responding to rapid long-term population-ageing transport demand in a context of safety, technological innovation and social connectivity. Provision of input to BOPRC PT development, UFTI, 2019 BOP Transport Review

PARTICIPANT AGE RANGE 60% OVER 75 YEARS 38% OVER 80 YEARS 55 questionnaires were analysed

ELSER INSIGHTS: Main Travel Destinations

ELDER INSIGHTS: Main mode of transport

ELDER INSIGHTS: Modes of transport used

ELDER INSIGHTS: POLICY AND PLANNING

INSIGHTS What did Elders say? Similar to international research Older-old extremely dependent on convenient PT provision. Intermittent use of buses for convenient trips Maori and Pacifica elders do not use ‘the bus’. Maori community locations are not on bus routes Transfers at “hubs” are extremely stressful and confusing Park and ride please Driving car preference, some multi-modal experience Anger over steps, bus stops, shelters, unreadable signs on buses, Gold Card time limits Bus safety issues - hard seats / no armrests / walkers / signage Openness to innovations in mobility options, bus use if convenient Smaller buses or shuttles that go places please Appreciate kind bus drivers Older people found voice- enjoyed taking part, shared ideas, thinking about PT more, will engage.

OPPORTUNITY We need to envision a desirable future, and start to navigate our way through the transition. Peter Mersi. Chief Executive, Ministry of Transport. Public Transport 2045 2018