Mobility is important to older adults’ quality of life. Mobility can be a challenge as we age, and it can be even more challenging for people in rural areas who must travel longer distances to reach destinations. At the same time, sparsely populated rural areas can struggle with funding and business models to meet the needs of local residents.

Sarah Fasanando, masters student in the School of Public Health, Jim Mjelde, and I have two new publications addressing rural transit. Rural Transit Needs for Older Adults (EAG-061) discusses issues surrounding mobility needs, transit funding, and community based considerations. Improving Rural Transit (EAG-062) offers suggestions innovative, market-based, and community-based solutions.

These ideas stem from both the academic literature and a survey of and open discussion with participants in the 2016 National Conference on Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation (RIBTC). More information on that project, including a technical report and Scientia Magazine article, can be found here.

A report on our previous research on taxpayer willingness-to-pay for rural transit options is available here.

We currently have two students starting new research topics on this issue. Several counties identify transportation as a concern in their most recent Texas Community Futures Forum. Reach out if you have ideas or concerns about rural transit for older adults, especially in Texas. Email me at rmdudensing@tamu.edu.