Sens. Kohl and Wyden Introduce Bill To Improve Transportation for Seniors
Sens. Herb Kohl (D-WS), chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, and Ron Wyden (D-OR), introduced the
Senior Transportation and Mobility Improvement Act, a bill that
would provide states with greater flexibility to use Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5310 program funds to assist with the costs of operating vehicles, such as
insurance, rising fuel costs and driver compensation
.
"America is unprepared to provide adequate transportation choices for our rapidly aging population,"
Kohl said on Facebook. "There are few alternatives to driving, particularly in small towns and rural communities. As the number of older people rapidly increases, so will their mobility needs."
The bill also expands program transparency through new reporting standards, enhances the planning and coordination process, provides technical assistance and seed grants to innovative community programs, and establishes a mobility management program for older adults and people with disabilities.
More than 1 in 5 Americans age 65 and older do not drive due to health or other reasons. Alternatives to driving are particularly sparse in rural areas and small town communities.
Without adequate transportation options, many seniors are at risk for increased isolation resulting in missed medical appointments and lack of food in their homes.
LeadingAge strongly supports this legislation that would enable not-for-profit transportation providers to continue to provide lifesaving transportation services for elders.
The senators will work to include provisions of the Senior Transportation and Mobility Improvement Act in the Transportation Reauthorization Act.