3.4. Seniors' Transportation Habits
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Ticket to Ride: Reducing social isolation for seniors through better access to public transportation by Sinéad Stinson B.A. (Geography), Thompson Rivers University, 2010 Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Public Policy in the School of Public Policy Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences © Sinéad Stinson 2019 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Summer 2019 Copyright in this work rests with the author. Please ensure that any reproduction or re-use is done in accordance with the relevant national copyright legislation. Approval Name: Sinéad Stinson Degree: Master of Public Policy Title: Ticket to Ride: Reducing social isolation for seniors through better access to public transportation Examining Committee: Chair: Doug McArthur Professor Nancy Olewiler Senior Supervisor Professor John Richards Supervisor Professor Maureen Maloney Internal Examiner Professor Date Defended/Approved: April 18, 2019 ii Ethics Statement iii Abstract Social isolation is one of the top issues facing seniors in Canada. Most seniors get around by personal vehicle and may experience social isolation when they lose the ability to drive due to the loss of access to services and opportunities to socialize. With the region’s aging population, the transportation needs of this demographic will become increasingly important over the coming decade. This study examines one role that TransLink, the regional transportation authority, can take in reducing social isolation for seniors in Metro Vancouver by providing or facilitating travel training. A literature review, jurisdictional scan, focus group, and expert interviews help identify and evaluate policies that can increase seniors’ access to public transit within TransLink’s existing network, budget, and jurisdiction. I recommend a one-on-one travel training program be implemented with a train-the-trainer approach to complement the general travel training program currently being piloted in the region. Keywords: social isolation; seniors; older adults; travel training; driver cessation; public transit iv Dedication For my grandparents, who have always had so much drive. v Acknowledgements Research and writing can be isolating. I am very lucky to have an extensive network of family, friends, peers, and mentors that supported me through this project and celebrated the successes. Special thanks to: • Stephanie Williams, who helped me find a topic and then supported my research through BEST and Seniors on the Move. • Erin Windross and Chris Chan, who shared so much of their time to talk to me about TransLink and connect me with other organizations and experts. • My interview and focus group participants, who shared their time and expertise. This project could not have happened without your generosity. • Nancy Olewiler, the capstone supervisor of my dreams. • My family and friends, who were my biggest cheerleaders. Thank you for making sure I was well fed and reminding me to take care of myself. vi Table of Contents Approval .......................................................................................................................... ii Ethics Statement ............................................................................................................ iii Abstract .......................................................................................................................... iv Dedication ....................................................................................................................... v Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................ vi Table of Contents .......................................................................................................... vii List of Tables ................................................................................................................... x List of Figures................................................................................................................. xi List of Acronyms ............................................................................................................ xii Glossary ........................................................................................................................ xiii Executive Summary ..................................................................................................... xiv Chapter 1. Introduction .............................................................................................. 1 Chapter 2. Methodology ............................................................................................. 3 2.1. Jurisdictional Scan ................................................................................................. 3 2.2. Focus Group .......................................................................................................... 3 2.3. Expert Interviews ................................................................................................... 4 Chapter 3. Background .............................................................................................. 6 3.1. Social isolation ...................................................................................................... 6 3.2. Changing demographics ........................................................................................ 7 3.3. Transportation and social isolation ........................................................................ 8 3.4. Seniors’ transportation habits ................................................................................ 9 3.5. Driver cessation ................................................................................................... 10 3.6. Options for seniors in Metro Vancouver after the loss of a driver’s licence........... 12 3.6.1. Aging in place .............................................................................................. 12 3.6.2. Transportation options in Metro Vancouver provided by TransLink .............. 13 3.6.3. Transportation options in Metro Vancouver outside of TransLink ................. 14 3.7. Removing barriers to conventional public transportation ...................................... 15 3.7.1. A policy gap in Metro Vancouver: Travel training for seniors........................ 18 3.8. Summary ............................................................................................................. 19 Chapter 4. Travel Training Background .................................................................. 20 4.1. Two streams of travel training: General and specialized ...................................... 20 4.2. Area of focus: Route and system training ............................................................ 23 4.3. Benefits of travel training ..................................................................................... 24 4.4. Travel training program components ................................................................... 25 4.4.1. Within the travel training program: Organization-level factors ...................... 26 4.4.2. Within the travel training program: Instructors’ skills and competencies ....... 26 4.4.3. Within the travel training program: Training-related factors .......................... 27 4.4.4. Influencing the travel training program from outside: Travel infrastructure and environment ............................................................................................................... 28 vii 4.4.5. Influencing the travel training program from outside: Individual trainees’ characteristics ............................................................................................................ 28 4.4.6. Influencing the travel training program from outside: Involvement of caregivers .................................................................................................................. 28 4.4.7. Influencing the travel training program from outside: Collaboration and partnership among public, non-profit, and for-profit organizations .............................. 29 4.4.8. What has the greatest effect on travel training outcomes? ........................... 30 Chapter 5. Travel Training Programs ...................................................................... 31 5.1. Legislative Context in the United States and Canada .......................................... 31 5.2. Summary of Travel Training Programs Examined in Canada and the United States 32 5.3. Thematic analysis ................................................................................................ 37 5.3.1. A social services philosophy ........................................................................ 37 5.3.2. Integration of travel training with paratransit ................................................ 37 5.3.3. Trainees as individuals ................................................................................ 39 5.3.4. Seasons and waitlists .................................................................................. 39 5.3.5. Eligibility ...................................................................................................... 39 5.3.6. Travel trainers: Qualities and qualifications .................................................. 40 5.3.7. Travel training approach: Advantages and challenges ................................. 41 5.3.8. Demonstrating costs and benefits ................................................................ 42 Chapter 6. Policy analysis: One-on-one