The role of public transportation system in increasing the mobility of elderly

Abstract

Elderly planning has been a very important topic all over the world, including Hong Kong, as we all fully understand that the population ageing we are facing is unprecedented and irreversible. In light of this, different measures and planning are studied and explored to mitigate the negative impact of ageing population to a society. Public transportation system, however, is not widely studied to be utilized as a means to help tackling the problems associated with ageing population. In other words, the potential of public transportation system is obviously under-developed currently.

Therefore, this study is conducted to evaluate the role, and its potential, of public transportation system in Hong Kong in increasing the mobility of elderly. It is also to evaluate the existing problems of public transportation system in Hong Kong, in terms of their elderly-friendliness and efficiency in promoting elderly travel.

Primary data will be collected and analyzed to evaluate the general characteristics of elderly travel, their perception towards public transportation and the relative importance of factors governing elderly’s travel behaviour. These findings will guide us to fully explore the potential of public transportation system in Hong Kong, in promoting elderly mobility.