Older People’s Commissioner: Lack of public transport leaves many older people with nowhere to go this bank holiday
Many older people will struggle to get out and about and do the things that matter to them this bank holiday weekend as they will be unable to access suitable public transport, according to the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales.
The Commissioner has said that while many of us will use the bank holiday to visit family or friends, travel to the coast or countryside for a day out, or run a few errands, these options are often limited for many older people.
The Commissioner has also said that improvements to the availability, accessibility and reliability of bus services must be delivered quickly when the ‘Bus Bill’, which promises significant changes, passes through the Senedd, so that older people can see the benefits as soon as possible.
Public transport often plays an increasingly important role in our lives as we grow older – particularly if we find ourselves no longer wanting or able to drive – enabling everything from attending appointments, to getting to the shops, to socialising with friends.
Public transport is also crucial to enable many older people to continue working, get involved in volunteering opportunities, provide unpaid care or offer childcare – a contribution that’s worth billions to the Welsh economy every year.
Despite its importance in terms of health, well-being and independence, many older people struggle to access the public transport they need, which can leave them feeling excluded and at risk of isolation.
These issues were reflected in polling undertaken recently by the Commissioner, which found that nearly two-thirds of older people are concerned about public transport, highlighting the scale of this issue and the breadth of its impact.
Issues relating to public transport are also frequently raised by older people the Commissioner meets with across Wales, covering everything from limited or non-existent services, to timetabling and finding information, to the location of public transport stops and accessibility. Older people also often share concerns about safety when waiting for or travelling on public transport, which can discourage people from using it.
Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Rhian Bowen-Davies, said:
“For many of us, bank holiday plans will involve some form of travel, and getting from A to B is something that we often take for granted when we have access to a car.
“But for many older people, transport options are much more limited, often due to the lack of bus and train services or their reliability, or as a result of relying on others when needing to travel.
“This means that over the weekend many older people across Wales will find it difficult to get out and about and do the things that matter to them, crucial to support health, well-being and independence.
“This isn’t just an issue for bank holiday weekends, though – older people face barriers created by a lack of public transport every single day. As one older person said to me: ‘I have a bus pass, but no bus’.
“That’s why we need to see significant improvements, with public transport services better reflecting the needs of passengers through greater availability, accessibility and reliability. This will benefit people of all ages, particularly older people, as well as supporting more environmentally friendly travel options.
“It’s therefore crucial that the changes promised by the Bus Bill are delivered quickly once this passes through the Senedd to ensure that older people can feel the benefits as soon as possible.”
