Resolving Mobility Constraints Impeding Rural Seniors' Access to Regionalized Services

Abstract

Rural and small town places in developed economies are aging. While attention has been paid to the local transportation needs of rural seniors, fewer researchers have explored their regional transportation needs. This is important given policies that have reduced and regionalized many services and supports. This article explores mobility constraints impeding rural seniors' access to regionalized services using the example of northern British Columbia. Drawing upon several qualitative studies, we explore geographical, maintenance, organizational, communication, human resources, infrastructure, and financial constraints that affect seniors' regional mobility. Our findings indicate that greater coordination across multiple government agencies and jurisdictions is needed and more supportive policies and resources must be in place to facilitate a comprehensive regional transportation strategy. In addition to discussing the complexities of these geographies, the article identifies innovative solutions that have been deployed in northern British Columbia to support an aging population. This research provides a foundation for developing a comprehensive understanding of the key issues that need to be addressed to inform strategic investments in infrastructure and programs that support the regional mobility and, hence, healthy aging of rural seniors.

Keywords:

• mobility
• regional
• rural
• services
• social restructuring
• transportation

Notes

1. Resource-dependent communities are places where 30% or more of the local labor force is employed in a specific resource sector or by a single resource-based company (Ehrensaft & Beeman, 1992).

2. The challenge in service planning and decision making for small communities with a population fewer than 5,000 is the lack of readily available, disaggregated data from Statistics Canada to support better decision making.

3. Prince Rupert Transit System has routes connecting to Port Edward. The Smithers and District Transit System has routes connecting to the Village of Telkwa.

4. After our research was completed, BC Transit released a feasibility study (February 2010) exploring regional transit options between Vanderhoof, Fort St. James, and Fraser Lake (with the potential to connect to one of the Aboriginal reserves; British Columbia Transit, 2010). The study recommended the use of taxi supplements in place of a regional transit system due to the distances and driver costs involved. The study explored demand based on a 1% increase, 2% increase, and 3% increase in the population. However, it did not consider an increase in demand from an aging population or an increase in demand from Aboriginal communities that tend to have higher growth rates. The study also failed to consider other service synergies that could make the service viable as Eagle Transit did by incorporating a courier service.

5. Through smaller airlines, direct routes to Prince George exist for seniors living in Fort St. John and Terrace. Flights in Smithers and Prince Rupert can connect seniors to Terrace. Flights in Fort Nelson and Dawson Creek can connect seniors to Fort St. John.