Report Identified Older Residents’ Transportation Needs;
Trial of Subsidized Trips and Community Education Disrupted by Pandemic

The Watertown for All Ages Transportation Initiative for Seniors (WAA-TIS) report Mobility for Older People in Watertown: An Assessment of Needs and Recommendations, presents the results of a year of research (Phase I – 2019) to identify the transportation needs of Watertown’s older residents and to develop recommendations to fulfill unmet needs. (See below for additional details about Phase I.) 

Phase II of WAA-TIS began in January, 2020. The plan was to conduct a time-limited trial program offering older residents with low incomes subsidized trips with ride-hailing companies such as Lyft and Uber. We offered two workshops at Watertown Housing Authority sites, with follow-up individual consultation on how to use Lyft and how to access the subsidy. Shortly after signing up an initial group of residents, the COVID-19 crisis hit. While we continued to offer subsidies to the original enrolled participants, additional workshops and sign-ups were suspended. This significantly limited participation in terms of the number of people we were able to recruit and the reduced types of destinations to which participants were able to travel. Nonetheless, we learned valuable lessons about assisting these residents in learning about ride-hailing services and about the experiences of those who we were able to enroll in using the services.

There is much uncertainty about how the transportation landscape will evolve as a result of the pandemic. In the meantime, WAA remains engaged in advocating for improvements to pedestrian safety and sidewalk accessibility – one of the key recommendations that emerged from Phase I of the WAA-TIS project.
The project’s Phase II Final Report describes what we learned. Click here to read an Executive Summary or the full report. 

Background: Gathering information about transportation needs
During Phase I (2019) of the WAA-Transportation Initiative for Seniors the project staff conducted six focus groups and numerous interviews with older people in town; gathered information about transportation-related initiatives in Watertown and other communities; and consulted with an Advisory Committee of town officials and community members.
Watertown has several options available to older people who can’t or don’t want to drive: a part-time Senior Center van; a limited number of emergency taxi vouchers for medical visits; MBTA buses and its paratransit “The Ride” service; a taxi company, and Uber and Lyft. The Watertown Senior Center and Springwell offer information and individualized consultation to older residents.

Yet, older residents reported various challenges, including these:
• Many are unaware of what’s available or don’t know how to use it.
• Current transportation options are insufficient. Older people need and want options that are 1) affordable 2) accessible to those with limited mobility 3) convenient (curb-to-curb, on-demand, variety of destinations) and 4) available to all, with no eligibility requirements.
• Walking conditions in some areas are especially difficult for many older people, limiting their ability to get around town and to walk to and from bus stops.

WAA and its Advisory Committee developed a set of recommendations to begin to address older residents’ needs for more information, additional transportation options, and improved walking conditions. These recommendations can be integrated into town initiatives already underway to improve transportation and walkability for all residents.

For additional details, read the Report on Phase I of WAA-TIS and supporting information by clicking the links below.
1) Executive Summary

2) Mobility for Older People in Watertown: An Assessment of Needs and Recommendations (Report)

3) Supporting Information for the Needs Assessment and Recommendations
(includes details of Watertown’s existing mobility options and current town transportation initiatives, information gathered at the project’s focus groups, and more)