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The 2006 San Mateo County Senior Mobility Action Plan is the work of a broad coalition of concerned entities, with the leadership of the San Mateo County Transit District, to keep older people safe and connected to their communities as problems related to aging make it harder for them to get around. Funded by a Caltrans Statewide Planning grant, this plan built on earlier work to document needs and focuses on working with organizations and local governments in the County to initiate effective action. A Steering Committee was formed consisting of 35 representatives of interested organizations and governments, including advisory and advocacy groups. The Senior Mobility Initiative was formed by SamTrans and the Steering Committee to implement the priority mobility strategies that emerged from the Plan: |
- Community Transit Services
- Community-Based Transportation Services
- Encouraging Use of Transit
- Safe Driving
- Taxicabs
- Information & Assistance
- Walking
To download a copy of the Senior Mobility Action Plan, click here.
Maintaining senior mobility is a concern because:
- The number of older people in San Mateo County is expected to double in the next 20 years. The number of older county residents who have difficulty driving or can’t drive also will mushroom.
- Compared to the recent past, more older people will live in places that are difficult to serve by public transportation and will not be accustomed to using public transportation.
- Existing alternatives to driving and conventional public transportation, especially paratransit such as Redi-Wheels, will not be able to meet all the needs of seniors who must limit or cease driving.
- Because of recent waves of immigration, increasing numbers of older people will have difficulty accessing available transportation due to language and cultural barriers.
If action is not taken, these trends may result in:
- Rising numbers of traffic injuries and deaths due to rapidly increasing numbers of older drivers.
- Strain on families of older people as they deal with the practical and emotional issues of limited mobility.
- Isolation of older people who cannot reach services and activities.
- Strain on public, non-profit, and volunteer services as they attempt to assist older people and their families dealing with these issues.
New Freedom Grant Funding
SamTrans has been awarded three New Freedom grants from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to develop and implement various mobility management services for seniors and people with disabilities in San Mateo County. The programs being developed and implemented under these grants include:
- Volunteer Mobility Ambassadors
- Vehicle Sharing Demonstration Program
- Senior Mobility Guide
- Countywide Inventory
- Volunteer Drivers
- Telephone Information & Assistance
Click on the program name to learn more about each of these programs.
For more information about the Senior Mobility Plan & Initiative contact:
Corinne Goodrich
Manager of Strategic Development
San Mateo County Transit District
1250 San Carlos Ave
San Carlos, CA 94070-1306
goodrichc@samtrans.com
650-508-6369