5. Dallas, TX
> Seniors with poor transit access: 295,445
> Pct. seniors with poor transit access: 66%
> Projected Growth of Seniors in State, Age 65 or Older, 2010-2030: 101%-158%
Dallas is one of the largest cities in the country by land area. As a result, it is projected to have one of the highest number of seniors with poor transit access in 2015. The city does have successful public transit options, such as the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) system — the largest light rail system in the country. However, DART does not stop in any suburban areas, including Grand Prairie or Arlington. Texas is also expected to experience a
growth of between 101% and 158% in its senior population between 2010 and 2030, which will make the transit problem worse.
4. Houston, TX
> Seniors with poor transit access: 372,346
> Pct. seniors with poor transit access: 68%
> Projected Growth of Seniors in State, Age 65 or Older: 101%-158%
Houston is the fourth largest city in the United States and the largest city in Texas. With its rapidly increasing elderly population, it is perhaps not surprising that there are so many seniors with poor transit access. While the city has a metro system, it fails to serve suburban areas as well as urban. The city’s transit access may improve now that its light rail line construction, which has been stalled for a couple of years, is resuming.
3. Detroit, MI
> Seniors with poor transit access: 445,743
> Pct. seniors with poor transit access: 68%
> Projected Growth of Seniors in State, Age 65 or Older, 2010-2030: 51%-%75%
Nearly half a million, or 68% of Detroit residents 65-79, will have inadequate access to public transit. While the urban center of Detroit will have adequate transportation for its seniors, the areas outside of downtown will not only have high percentages of elderly residents, but a lack of transportation as well. Despite these problem, Detroit is making some progress in roadway design, according to Transportation for America, which led to a 35% decline in injury crashes of seniors. Such changes include the size of street signs, brighter stoplights, and repainting of median strips.
2. Atlanta, GA
> Seniors with poor transit access: 503,543
> Pct. seniors with poor transit access: 90%
> Projected Growth of Seniors in State, Age 65 or Older, 2010-2030: 76%-100%
No major city, according to Transportation for America, is at higher risk of the worst effects of this crisis than Atlanta, GA. The report states: “In the worst case among large metros, without taking action, Atlanta, GA will find that 90 percent of its seniors — more than 500,000 residents — will face shrinking mobility options as they age in areas.”
1. New York, NY
> Seniors with poor transit access: 562,464
> Pct. seniors with poor transit access: 41%
> Projected Growth of Seniors in State, Age 65 or Older, 2010-2030: Under 50%
New York City is by far the largest city in the country, with a population of over 8 million. This is at least partially why it will have well over half a million senior facing poor transit access in the coming years. The city does have an particularly large public transit system. But with so many people, over 560,000 seniors will still have poor transit access by 2015. The city has created programs meant to encourage senior citizens to walk, such as the Safe Routes for Seniors campaign. This was the “first program of its kind to address the unique needs of older pedestrians and consider the role of street design in maintaining good cardiovascular health in old age,” according to Transportation for America.
Michael B. Sauter, Charles B. Stockdale
