Frontline customer service staff will receive dementia awareness training under a new Transport for NSW program to address the forecast increase in older commuters over the next two decades.
A report released on November 30 by state transport minister Andrew Constance outlines a number of actions aimed at managing an ageing population on the transport network.
It’s estimated older people will contribute one in five public transport journeys in New South Wales by 2038.
Constance said The Older Persons Transport and Mobility would help maintain their independence and safety.
“This is a real opportunity to look at how technology will deliver new opportunities in an accessible, safe and affordable manner and what we need to begin planning for,” the minister said.
Plans include continued trials of flexible and demand-responsive services in both metropolitan and rural areas, providing dementia awareness training to frontline staff, and designing better rural transport services to provide access to key destinations like hospitals.
“Planning for an ageing population means that our infrastructure must be accessible, safe, and reliable so that older people feel confident to travel around their communities on a day-to-day basis,” state minister for ageing Tanya Davies said.
“On top of continuing to offer $2.50 travel all day every day with the Gold Opal Card, the NSW Government has invested over $2 billion in ensuring that 90% of all public transport journeys are accessible, but we recognise there is still more work to do.”