Narratives on Inclusive Mobility: Public Transport Innovations for Older Adults in Europe and beyond

Abstract

As life expectancy increases, societies need to implement strategies that support healthy ageing in place. Community mobility is a vital part of this, as older adults need access to healthcare, shops, and local amenities to maintain their health, independence, and social engagement. Aim: The COST Action BOPALIM (Building Opportunities for Participation and Accessibility through Lifelong Community Mobility) aims to create a framework to guide European and country-specific efforts related to the provision of accessible and user-friendly transport options for older adults. Method: Subtask 3.3 has collected case studies from COST Action members regarding appropriate and affordable public transport solutions under the umbrella of community mobility. These case studies were synthesised to create 5–10 vignettes, combining narrative and thematic approaches. Preliminary findings: The collected case studies address themes related to the usability, safety, and accessibility of public transport. They also explore how technological advancements can function either as additional barriers or as practical solutions for participation, often embedded within broader political issues such as cost and environmental concerns. These findings are consistent with the literature review but add a more nuanced understanding of contextual factors and personal experiences of mobility issues of older adults in Europe and beyond.