Lawmakers Discuss Transportation Challenges Facing Seniors

WASHINGTON, DC - The Senate Special Committee on Aging held a hearing on Wednesday to examine the transportation challenges faced by our nation’s seniors, particularly those living in rural areas who do not have access to public transportation. The hearing, requested by the panel’s ranking member, Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), focused on options—both publicly and privately funded-- that allow seniors to continue to live independently after they are no longer able to drive.

The last White House Conference on Aging identified transportation as the third most important issue for seniors out of hundreds of options for priorities, and it is a particularly critical issue for seniors living in rural communities.

“The challenge of senior transportation is a daunting one that is rarely addressed in a comprehensive way,” said Collins. “According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 13.9 million people will need alternative transportation options to continue living independently. Public transportation, however, is not a feasible option for many seniors, particularly those who live in rural areas. I am also grateful to Chairman Bill Nelson (D-FL) for agreeing to hold this hearing,” she added.

“Tightening federal and local budgets are making it harder for many seniors to find a way to the grocery store or the doctor’s office,” said Nelson. “Expanding seniors’ access to transportation should be among our top priorities.”

SENATE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON AGING
HEARING: Transportation: A Challenge to Independence for Seniors
2:15 p.m. Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 562

Witnesses:

Grant Baldwin, PhD, Director, Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Therese McMillan, Deputy Administrator, Federal Transit Administration, Department of Transportation

Virginia Dize, Co-Director, National Center on Senior Transportation, National Association of Area Agencies on Aging

Katherine Freund, Founder and President, ITN America

To watch the hearing, as well as access Member statements and witness testimony click here.