This document discusses a project in the Netherlands that aimed to improve mobility and public transit use among senior citizens. It implemented two programs: 1. A "PT Ambassador" program that recruited and trained volunteers aged 55+ to provide information to peers about public transit options. Ambassadors held information days, test rides, and meetings that helped hundreds of seniors experience and learn about public transit. 2. A "Travel Desk" program provided customized support to seniors regarding ticketing, routes to bus stops, and traveling with public transit. Feedback indicated these programs helped address seniors' needs and uncertainties about public transit and increased their willingness to use it. The initiatives helped shift people's transportation habits toward greater public transit use.

1. fietsen en lopen innovatie internationaal milieu mobiliteits- openbaar openbare ruimte parkeren procesbegeleiding verkeerslichten verkeers- verkeers-
management vervoer management veiligheid
Ambassadors
fietsen en lopen innovatie internationaal milieu mobiliteits- openbaar openbare ruimte parkeren procesbegeleiding verkeerslichten verkeers- verkeers-
management vervoer management veiligheid
Helping hands for (senior) citizens
Willem Buijs
October 2012

2. Two examples:
• PT ambassador
• Travel desk

3. Aging population

4. Percentage 65+ (2005–2025)

5. Percentage 65+ (2005–2025)
• Middle and east Europe
- 16% - 2005
- 21% - 2025

6. Characteristics Zeeland:
• One of the least urbanized regions
• Relies on tourism and agriculture
• High level of car dependency
• An aging population
Background

7. Older People:
• Are not familiar to PT anymore
• Are not acquianted with new
technologies
• Become dependable of other for
mobility
• Are faced with social isolation
• Have an information gap
But
• Are not extremely negative
towards PT
• Future seniors are active seniors
Background

8. PT Ambassador
• Enthusiastic volunteer
• 55-plus
• Has an outstanding knowledge of PT
• Keen on sharing knowledge with their peers
• Trained to disseminate their knowledge
• Supported by a helpdesk
• Supported by manuals and marketing materials
What’s a PT Ambassador ?

9. PT Ambassador
• A survey among seniors showed:
- PT usage is low
- 50 % expressed a need for help
- When getting older they are more open for getting
support
• Support should be
- Custom made
- Be focused on ticketing
- Deal with the way to and from the bus stop
The need for help

10. The project
Recrutement and training PT
ambassadors
PT trial days
Information days
Testrides

11. • PT test days
• Test rides
• Information days and promotion
Deployment/tasks of PT Ambassadors

12. Projectambitions:
6 minidays,
300 participants
90 Meetings
1800 participants
300 Testrides
1800 participants
45 PT-
ambassadors

13. Verschuiving in modal split
2 major events: from OLD to NEW
• Leisure and fun but also serviceable (info-
market)
• Fully booked (capacity of 300, a demand of over
400)
• Extremely well appreciated
(rated over 8.0 on 10-point scale)
PT test days

14. Verschuiving in modal split
• One-on-one or one-on-many fully guided trips
• Aim was 300 trips
• 30 trips realized by July 2011
• All rides were successful
• People are anxious for one-on-one support
• People aren’t keen of riding with a stranger
• Rest of project focus on one-on-many
Test rides

15. Verschuiving in modal split
• E-ticketing triggered attention
• Aim was 90 meetings with 20
persons each
• By October 40 meetings with on
average 50 people attending
• Fulfilled a need
(rated over 7.5 on a 10-point scale)
Information days and promotion

16. Results PT-ambassadors
PT Trial days Information days Testrides
Number of events
2 major
events:
48 meetings 26 testrides
of which 10
grouprides
Number of participants
346 2265 126
Scoring
8,3 8,2 8,5

17. PT Ambassador
Lessons learnt:
• Older people need help with PT
• Peer group is helpful
• Test rides and information days are a
good start

18. Travel desk

19. fietsen en lopen innovatie internationaal milieu mobiliteits- openbaar openbare ruimte parkeren procesbegeleiding verkeerslichten verkeers- verkeers-
management vervoer management veiligheid
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