Uber for Seniors?: Exploring Transportation Options for the Future

Abstract

By 2030, the number of adults 65 and older in the United States will surpass 72 million, almost doubling the number in 2010. This population continues to rely on automobiles to satisfy transportation needs; however, with the onset of aging, physical, cognitive, and motor abilities decline and affect those people’s ability to drive and their level of mobility and independence. Lack of mobility and accessibility affect the quality of life and the ability to age in place and could lead to social isolation and a reduction in activity level. The shift to transit is often difficult because of a lack of familiarity and accessibility. Dynamic ridesharing is surging as a viable transportation alternative. This study investigated a unique integration of a dynamic ridesharing system into a local government transportation portfolio to satisfy the mobility needs of older adults by subsidizing the cost of trips on the basis of income level. Over a 9-month period, 40 older adults enrolled in the program. Older women constituted 83% of the people enrolled and were less likely to discontinue use. The majority of trips over the first 6 months were for social purposes, followed by shopping and medical purposes. Fear of driver variability did not seem to affect the level of use. The use of dynamic ridesharing seems to be a feasible low-cost transportation alternative to meet the transportation challenges of older adults and may have policy implications for the future of public transportation systems. Enhanced levels of outreach and training could lead to higher enrollment.