If you have ever hopped on a bus and struck up a conversation with the bus driver or a fellow passenger, this study won't surprise you.
According to a July research paper published on the National Center for Mobility Management, a lack of mobility options negatively impacts people's ability to access socialization options as well as local resources and amenities. Improving access to transportation options, also improves the well-being of older adults-as their ability to access meaningful socialization opportunities and other social determinants of health, improves.
The study had some major takeaways:
• Public transportation has a role in addressing social isolation and loneliness
• Social isolation and loneliness are important to be addressed as health issues
• Differences exist in access to and use of public transportation across
sociodemographic populations (e.g., rurality, gender, age, income, disability status, ethnicity).
• Some identified barriers to use of public transit include accessibility; affordability (Cortland Transit is now fare-free); awareness of the routes and how to use the buses; limited flexibility of service.
• Fragmentation of services (both among transportation providers and between
transportation and other sectors) creates a need for expanded collaboration between providers and across sectors to fully meet the needs of older adults.
Improving the public's awareness of local transit is a key recommendation of the study and we are here to help.
If you're a first-time rider or if you haven't been on the bus in awhile, we can offer the services of a Bus Buddy. The Mobility Manager can help you plan your trip and even ride on the bus with you to get you familiarized with the routes and ensure you make your connections.
Give us a call at 607-756-4198 or 607-662-5240. And remember, for the time being all routes on Cortland Transit are free!