Transport and Older People

Key Facts for Somerset

• In 2017/18, 113,000 concessionary bus tickets for older people were issued in Somerset (Department for Transport)
• In the same year, over 3 million bus passenger journeys were undertaken by concessionary ticket-holders in Somerset, the bulk of which are older people
• 1 in 5 Somerset residents aged 65 or more have no access to car or van. The proportion is even higher in some rural towns and villages and amongst women (2011 Census)

National Context

• An estimated 50,000 people aged 85 or older have walking difficulties and are restricted to public transport, yet 80% of them don't use it (English Longitudinal Study of Ageing 2012/13)
• Fewer than half of people over 80 find it easy to travel to a hospital. It's not just a matter of age; those with the worst health and the lowest incomes struggle the most to travel to health services (English Longitudinal Study of Ageing 2012/13)

  • Of the people who find it ‘very difficult’ to travel to their GP, 71% are in fair or poor health. This contrasts with people who find it ‘very easy’, of whom just 22% are in fair or poor health.

  • The average weekly household income of those who find it easiest to access their GP is £526, compared with an average income of £313 for those who find it most difficult.

• In 2015, Age UK and ILC UK published The Future of Transport in an Ageing Society. This contains a wealth of facts and figures from various sources, and explores ways to improve transport options for older people.
• The report concludes that "age-friendly infrastructure is fundamental to developing innovative transport solutions. This requires an integrated approach to the planning and design of road networks, cycle lanes, safe crossings, level pavements, and the location of amenities and services."

• Encouraging older people to engage in active travel such as cycling or walking could have health benefits and reduce isolation.

  • Only 8% of men over 65 and 3% of women over 65 ever cycle. This is low compared to rates of older people cycling in other European countries.
  • Road crossings do not give older people adequate time to cross safely. Pelican crossings assume that pedestrians walk at a pace of at least 1.2 metres per second (2.7 miles per hour) but 76 % of men and 85 % of women over 65 walk more slowly than this.

• Older people need to be supported in driving safely for longer, with viable alternative transport options available for those who are unable to drive.

Blue Badge

The Blue Badge Scheme provides national parking concessions for people with severe walking difficulties who travel as drivers or passengers. The scheme is also for people who are severely sight impaired. People who have blue badges can park close to their destination in on-street parking and some car parks.

• As at 31 March 2018, a total of 29,400 individuals in Somerset held a Blue Badge, representing 5.3% of the population. 
• This represents a decline of approximately 500 individuals on the total a year earlier.
• Numbers have been in general decline since reforms to the Blue Badge application process in 2011/12.

For more information and statistics, please see the Department for Transport website

Service Provision

• Somerset Road Safety have a well-established Route 60+ programme for older drivers (see our Road Safety page).
• Some people may be eligible for free non-emergency patient transport services. These services provide transport to and from hospital for people who have a medical need for it. They are provided by NSL Care Services, Somerset County Council's Transporting Somerset, and British Red Cross.
• The Travel Somerset website provides information on community transport services.