Age-friendly buses? A comparison of reported barriers and facilitators to bus use for younger and older adults

Abstract

Aim: To determine whether older people reported and prioritised different barriers and facilitators to bus use than younger people.

Method: The Nominal Group Technique was used with 301 participants (231 older, 70 younger) to elicit reported barriers and facilitators to bus use. Categories were developed using qualitative content analysis and comparisons of categories and priorities were made.

Results: Driver friendliness, ease of entry/exit and information useability were prioritised barriers and facilitators for older people. In contrast, younger participants prioritised bus punctuality, signage clarity, information provision at bus stops, bus service availability and parking facilities at the bus stop. Some similarities between older and younger adults were noted relating to convenience and bus scheduling.

Conclusions: Older and younger adults have specific requirements for public transport systems which should be addressed in order to promote useable transport for all.