With the growth in the senior population, and I am one of them, I believe it is incumbunt on transportaion professionals to offer alternatives to seniors who are driving, and maybe should not be driving. We often wait until that last accident before we take away the keys. My plan is to train seniors to use alternative forms of transportation, taxis being one, before they need it. The Beverly Institute has done research which says it is easier to get someone to use alterntives before they need it, rather than waiting until they have no choice. I am designing a taxi program that is senior friendly, with senior discounts, flyers on how to use a taxi, and also working with senior groups and retirement communities to teach seniors how to use taxis. I am also showing them (seniors) how it is not as expensive as you think, when you consider the cost of owning and operating an automobile.
Seniors using taxis
Tags: taxi senior alternatives
Comments (8)
James, I am very interested in this idea. I am part of a an emphasis group on older driver's within the highway safety program. If we could visit sometime about your idea that would be great. Please send me an email psanders@mt.gov
The other advantage of shared ride taxi services is that many seniors who transition from driving would prefer not to ride in senior bus or other vehicle designated to serve a specific subsidized population. Taxis offer a more anonymous alternative which is often more acceptable to a person who has to consider alternatives to driving.
Sharing taxis is a great idea, and I'm ashamed to say I never thought of it when mentioning ridesharing. I like how you provide the information about the cost of owning and operating a vehicle. According to AAA, in 2010 the average cost for owning a vehicle was $8,000, or about $20 a day, whether it's being used or not.
Need to use wheelchair-accesible taxis. A reasonable percentage of a taxi fleet should be w/c accessible. The high mileage and short life cycles of taxi vehicles requires a public subsidy of w/c accessibility.
Some travel trainers have been asked to teach older adults who to use taxis. Is anyone involved with providing travel training for senior with regards to using cabs independently?
I am submitting a proposal to NCST to develop a handbook for providers and a hand out for seniors on that topic. I helped develop a phamplet for taxi drivers on transporting persons with disabilities.
James j
I have some concerns about the safety of seniors just getting into "any" taxi. Is there any organization that does background checks on taxi drivers?
Yes we do criminal background checks. Check with you police department for suggested organizations to do background checks. You might also try to get background checks, and physicals and drug screens in your local city ordinance.