This systematic review intended to look into how older adults perceived transit transfers and its implications on their mobility patterns, preferences, and overall well-being. After completing a thorough search for relevant research publications, this study identified just six research papers examining this issue. Results are limited and no consistent pattern were seen due to scarcity of studies. These studies, which mostly were extensions of general population surveys, were conducted in various countries, yielding a diverse set of results from each research setting.
It tells us two things: first, despite calls for an age-friendly environment to prepare us for the ever-growing older adults’ population, there is still a lack of studies focusing on older adults’ mobility and transportation; and second, different countries may not share a common concern on this issue because each country is at different pace of transportation development.
The strong points of this review are as follow: (i) this is the only systematic review done on this issue, (ii) the inclusive and exclusion criteria are well-focused, and (iii) robust outcomes were considered into the study. However, upon completion of this study, findings of this review were found to confined to a few key indicators only, namely on accessibility, physical activity and conveniency of older adults on transit transfer method.
From this review, it was found that older adults can meet their travel needs and go about their daily lives by using multimodal transportation rather than individual automobiles (6). Transit transfer was proven to be able to provide them with greater access to a wider range of goods and services in more locations, allow autonomy and independency for them to move around, and to promote mobility and connectivity among them. With up to 90% of older adults in Hong Kong commuting by this method of transportation and fewer than 10% owning a private vehicle, it simply demonstrated that accessible public transportation is benefitting the older adults. However, there are a few things that need to be addressed. Hong Kong is one of the smallest countries in the world. In comparison to large countries, it is possible for Hong Kong to build strong transportation networks that are extensive, integrated and capable of connecting almost every area of the country. Besides, Hong Kong also enjoys a high economic growth rate. Because of their solid financial gains, they were able to expand their transportation networks and equip them with age-friendly amenities to cater the needs of older adults, especially those with health issues, disability, frailty, and wheelchair-bound. Their policy, which emphasis the vision of 'Transport for All' helped the older adults even more by instituting a concessionary fare plan. Under the scheme, older adults will be charged with a fixed minimum cost for rail, bus, and ferry travel, encouraging usage of multimodal transportation and mobility among them. In a nutshell, the use of multiple transportations among the older adults was influenced not only by their physical capability, but also by the availability, reliability, accessibility, affordability, and functionality of the services offered to them.
Another advantage of transit transfer for older adults is that the walk and cycle to, from, and between stations can contribute to their daily non-vigorous physical activities. The finding of this review, however, revealed that its applicability varies depending on where the study was conducted. While single and coupled older adults in Osaka were highly likely to meet the minimal threshold period of non-vigorous physical activity with odds ratio of 1.1082 and 1.01, respectively (10), the same findings could not be replicated among older adults in Canada, though (11). In this study, the odd ratios of older adults meeting the physical activity threshold were 0.52 for those aged 65 to 74 and 0.79 for those aged 75 and more. They were found to reduce number of trips upon retirement, with many excursions being short-distance and requiring no interchange. However, this study acknowledged to underreporting the total amount of walking time done by transit users. Nevertheless, both studies agreed on the link between home location and built environment with modes of traveling such as distance to access to public transit, availability of pedestrian amenities and locations of services facilities.
While transit transfer was found to be beneficial to the older adults, transferring between modes of transportation can be challenging for them. The distance they must walk to reach a transport facility was cited as an important factor in determining the use of transit transfer. They were able to tolerate only nine minutes of walking to access transport facilities (8). It can contribute to social inequality among them. Older adults who live in urban area, especially near to the station will have great advantage on mobility and transportation. Urban areas have greater street connectivity, transit stops/stations, access to public transportation, transportation options, and nearby facilities and destinations as compared to rural areas (13). More than 44 stops/stations were accessible to 50% of the population living in the city centre as compared to only seven stops/stations for those who live in the suburbs (14). As a result, the preference for public transportation was higher among those who live near a station than those who live farther away (15). Because older adults who reside out of the city areas had to walk a greater distance to reach the stations, it would reduce the likelihood of them using transit transfer method (9).
Older adults were also subjected to transfer penalty during their transit move (12). As transit transfer involved utilization of inter-connected transit networks, they need to make at least one transfer between transportation modes to reach their final destination. These transfers might require older adults to pay more, wait for the next modes, walk lengthy distances, climb stairs or exposing them to crime or inclement weather. Thus, although transit transfer allows them to travel to more destinations, not everyone keen on doing so. The variability of transfer feeders and destination direction also influenced penalty imposed to transit transfer (12). For Melbourne’s older adults who used urban rail transit system, greater transfer penalty was imposed on access than on egress journey. To reach the transit station, majority of them walked, drove, took a bus or tram, accordingly. Then, for the return journey, more travelled by walk, tram and bus, accordingly. While this study did not include determinant for transfer penalty of each feeder taken by older adults, the importance of feeder transportation in gaining access to transit services cannot be understated. By improving feeder transportation, it would help older adults perceived transit transfer more positively.
While this study discovered a dearth of research on this topic, the finding suggested that to attract more older adults to use transit transfer method of transportation, the availability, accessibility and reliability of the services is critical. Besides, the built environment may also have an impact on their participation in active commuting and contribute to the overall effects of older adults’ transit transfer experience (16). Placing transportation infrastructure within decent range would be beneficial in encouraging older adults to use multiple modes of transportation (17). If this is not possible, a sheltered and smooth walkway can help with the walk (18). A rest stop with benches can also improve the convenience of transit transfer for the elderly. The presence of green space and security patrols in the area will encourage seniors to consider transit transfer as a future mode of transportation.
There are many other issues pertaining to transit transfer that need to be studied in the future. Due to limited mobility, because of health or ageing factor, older adults struggled to navigate the terminals' vast corridors, mount stairs and step up and down the platform to reach the transit door. Furthermore, if they are carrying luggage or bringing small kid, this will only add to their burden. The hustle and bustle of transportation terminals, the complexity of the network, and the need to walk and enter multiple vehicles may also be exhausting for the older adults. Because they walk at slower pace, they had to struggle with a hurry to board and disembark from several modes of transportation throughout the interchange to avoid missing a transfer (19). They may also struggle to comprehend information presented, leading them astray. These may all hinder their mobility and transportation use. It could have implication on their self-care, community participation, social interaction, quality of life and health. It might be much worse for older adults who have dementia, frailty and chronic diseases that need frequent travelling for regular medical check-ups. It could lead to deterioration of their health and quality of life. The struggles and their implications on the older adults need to be brought to light in order to better provide them with necessary assistance in promoting mobility among them.