Transport and Ageism: Why It Matters More Than You Think
What would you do if lack of transport meant missing a hospital appointment, being unable to work, or being trapped in your own home? For thousands of older people in Wales, this is not a hypothetical question. It is their reality. Ageism in transport quietly shapes lives and limits opportunities every day. It is not just an inconvenience; it is a barrier to independence, health and social connection.
Celebrating the role of older people in Community Transport
Community Transport is powered by vibrant, committed staff, volunteers and passengers of all ages, with a significant proportion aged 55 and over. Unlike many sectors, we do more than acknowledge the contribution of older people. We celebrate it. Their knowledge, experience and skills enrich our work every single day.
Think about the military veterans who now run local transport schemes with precision. Picture the volunteer drivers who light up when helping neighbours, or the former private sector managers who have discovered new purpose in the voluntary sector. And then there are the passengers who were once isolated at home but are now connected, independent and active in their communities. Without older people, Community Transport would be less rich, less capable and far less connected.
A story that shows the reality
One couple living in deeply rural Powys contacted a CTA member for help following Mr M’s dementia deteriorating. As he became more unwell, it was increasingly difficult to navigate the limited public transport available, and Mrs M does not drive. With their only daughter living in England and no taxis available, they had been forced to miss important hospital appointments and their life was really starting to suffer. The Community Transport service was able to put support in place not only for those vital health appointments but also to help them get to local social groups and reconnect with their friends. Mrs M describes the help she is getting as “a huge weight off her shoulders”.
Why policy makers must listen to older people
For decades, motonormativity – the unconscious bias that assumes car ownership is the norm – has shaped planning decisions and service design and this car-centred approach leaves non-drivers behind. Whether it is accessing work, health care or leisure, many public bodies assume people can drive or have family or friends to take them where they need to go.
With bus services across the UK experiencing significant decline and thousands of concessionary card holders yet to return to the mainstream public transport network following the Covid19 pandemic, community-led transport has never been so important. We know that the reality of public transport for older people is often long, complex journeys even when covering relatively short distances, or continuing to drive because of the loss of independence that may follow giving up their cars. We also know that losing access to transport leads to a decrease in wellbeing, an increase in depression and related health problems including feelings of stress and isolation, and increased mortality.
It’s vital that as we navigate significant transformation of the Welsh bus network and legislation, older people and their communities have to play their part in feeding into these changes to make sure they work for everyone. For example, the couple I met this summer who wanted to get to church on Sundays and were forced to travel into Swansea and back out again, meaning a 90-minute journey which would usually take less than 15 minutes by car. Or the lady who was desperate to get to the panto to see her granddaughter perform, but was going to have to leave before the final curtain to get the last bus home. Community Transport is able to respond to these needs in a way that mainstream public transport rarely considers, and this is driven by our connection with the communities we serve.
If Wales truly wants to be the best place to grow old, transport must work for everyone. Every journey should open doors to independence, dignity and connection. Let’s make sure that growing older in Wales means living well, staying connected and never being left behind.