Manchester health department revives Age-Friendly plan; survey finds 67% of respondents never used public transit

Manchester’s Health Department said it is reinvigorating an Age-Friendly Action Plan and reported preliminary results from a senior transportation survey that staff say will inform the plan.

A health department presenter said the Healthy Aging Branch, created after senior services were moved into the Health Department, provides in-home support and referrals and is leading a transportation project based on a recent survey of residents age 50 and older. The presenter said 258 completed surveys had been collected as of March 15 and summarized early findings.

“Of the people who responded, 67% of the people who responded have never used Manchester Public Transportation,” the presenter said. Of those who had not used the bus, staff said 85% “either own or have access to their own vehicle,” while about 11% of respondents said “the bus stop is too far from their home or from the location destination,” and roughly 4% said bus schedules do not fit their needs. About 5% of respondents reported feeling unsafe getting to or riding the bus.

Staff reported that among respondents who use the bus, 33% identified places they could not reach by transit; of those destinations, two-thirds were clinics or medical offices, 43% were grocery stores, 40% were hospitals or medical centers or fitness centers, and 20% were libraries. The presenter said 46% of never-riders indicated they would be interested in a guided “test ride” to learn how to use the system.

Health department staff said they will run focus groups and work with Manchester Transit Authority (MTA) to assess practical changes. Mike Witton, identified in the meeting as director of the MTA, was noted as “very involved” in the project.

On the Age-Friendly Action Plan, the presenter said the city retained consultants Patrick Tufts (former CEO, Granite State United Way) and Meredith Young to consolidate prior work and lead an advisory committee made up of city departments and local agencies. “Ultimately, the goal is to have a plan in place by June 30,” the presenter said, and officials described the timeframe as compressed but feasible.

Ending: Staff said the transportation project will feed into the Age-Friendly Action Plan and that they will bring focus group results and a data summary from the epidemiologist back to stakeholders.