The value of public transportation for improving the quality of life for the rural elderly.

Mjelde, James W.; Dudensing, Rebekka; Cherrington, Linda K.; Jin, Yanhong; Israel, Alicia A.; Chen, Junyi · 2012 · ROSA P / Texas Transportation Institute. University Transportation Center for Mobility

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Summary

This study addresses the critical issue of mobility for the rural elderly in Texas, a demographic group facing increasing isolation as they age and cease driving. With the Baby Boomer generation retiring and migrating to rural areas, the demand for non-medical transportation options is rising. However, existing rural public transit systems are often inadequate substitutes for private vehicles, potentially diminishing the quality of life for seniors who rely on them for social and personal activities. Since expanded transportation services would likely be funded by taxpayers, the research aims to quantify the general public’s willingness-to-pay (WTP) for such services and understand their preferences regarding specific transportation attributes. To achieve these objectives, the researchers conducted a choice experiment survey administered to residents of three Texas counties—Atascosa, Polk, and Parker—and to students at Texas A&M University. Respondents were presented with hypothetical transportation options defined by five attributes: an addition to the annual vehicle registration fee, days of operation, hours of operation, type of route, and senior citizen fare discounts. The study utilized conditional logit and mixed logit models to estimate economic WTP and analyze how socio-demographic factors influence transportation choices. This methodology allowed for a comparison of preferences between current taxpayers (county residents) and future taxpayers (students), as well as across different geographic regions. The findings indicate that both students and county residents value public transportation for the elderly and are willing to pay for enhanced service attributes. Respondents generally preferred more flexible options, such as increased days and hours of operation, though they did not necessarily prefer the most flexible configurations available. While the mean WTP for specific attributes was similar across the three counties, the influence of socio-demographic variables on decision-making differed by location, suggesting that transportation systems should be customized to meet local needs. Notably, students exhibited a higher WTP than county residents, with less variation in their responses. However, both groups ranked the relative value of transportation attributes similarly. The study also highlighted a significant funding gap; for instance, the estimated revenue from increased vehicle fees in Atascosa County would likely be insufficient to cover the costs of expanding service to seven days a week. The significance of this research lies in its provision of empirical evidence for policymakers regarding the viability of taxpayer-funded rural transit expansions. The results suggest broad statewide support for improved elderly transportation but indicate that local revenue alone may not sustain enhanced services, necessitating additional grant funding. Furthermore, the study reveals that while many residents are unaware of existing local transportation services, they are willing to support improvements. The findings also caution against using student populations as proxies for policy-specific WTP estimates, as their financial willingness to pay differs significantly from that of the general public, even if their attribute preferences align.

Key finding

County residents and students valued flexible public transportation options for the rural elderly, but county residents' willingness-to-pay was significantly lower than students', indicating potential funding shortfalls for expanded services.

Methodology

survey

Provenance

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Topics

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• older drivers