The impact of access to public transportation on the mental well-being of senior citizens post driving-cessation in rural New York

Abstract

Driving cessation is a difficult challenge for many older adults, especially in rural areas where access to basic and social needs are commonly only possible through vehicular transportation. Individuals who have given up their license, are in the process of becoming non-drivers, or are unable to drive their vehicle due to medical or financial concerns commonly find themselves struggling with feelings of isolation, helplessness, fear of a sedentary life, and a decrease in the number of meaningful social connections. In order to be able to fulfill their minimum mobility needs, many individuals in this situation find themselves dependent on existing public transportation or alternative (non-profit or volunteer) transportation systems. This study looks at two neighboring counties in rural New York State, Tompkins and Tioga Counties, one of which has an existing internal transportation system providing transportation to residents within the county (Tompkins), and one which does not (Tioga), in attempts to compare how access to these public transportation systems impacts the well-being of individuals who are limited in their access to transportation. Using a simplified well-being scale, researchers collected data on 17 participants (10 from Tioga County, 7 from Tompkins County) on to their feelings regarding their ability to fulfill their mobility needs, as well as collecting qualitative information on the situations they found themselves in, what needs were being unmet, and the consequences of not being able to access transportation. Though statistical analysis of the data proved the comparisons made between groups to be non-significant, the qualitative and descriptive data collected in this study can help provide helpful insight for future studies attempting to further explore this question, specifically in this area. Among the major discoveries of this study was that participants from Tompkins county felt like they were being underserved by the existing public and alternative transportation systems available to them. Indeed, the existence of a public transportation system does not consistently predict higher well-being scores in individuals, and as such the quality of said public transportation system is to be taken into account, as well as the access it provides specifically to those who do not have access to their own vehicle.