TEF Summit Sparks Collaborative Vision for Older Adult Mobility in Austin
On September 20, 2024, the Transit Empowerment Fund (TEF) hosted the Senior Mobility Solutions Summit at St. David’s Foundation, bringing together over 30 local leaders, service providers, and advocates to address the growing transportation needs of Austin’s aging population.
The summit focused on identifying service gaps, understanding current mobility challenges, and building a shared vision for improving how older adults connect with essential services and social opportunities.
Voices from the Field
Participants included representatives from AGE of Central Texas, CapMetro, Chariot, Drive-a-Senior Northwest, and Austin Public Health, who shared insights into the changing mobility landscape. Key themes emerged:
- Rising demand for senior transportation
- A shortage of volunteer drivers
- Fragmented services and limited coordination
- A growing tech divide for older adults
Group discussions and survey data highlighted persistent barriers such as limited funding, challenges coordinating fleets, and difficulty reaching older adults with information about available services.
Emerging Opportunities and Shared Goals
Despite the challenges, the summit was filled with optimism. Attendees pointed to increasing awareness, emerging technologies, and cross-sector interest as promising trends. A common vision began to take shape—a more connected, inclusive, and user-friendly transportation system, co-designed with older adults and easier to navigate across providers and jurisdictions.
Participants committed to exploring:
- Pilot projects to test new ideas
- Centralized dispatch and service coordination
- Stronger outreach efforts
- A regional senior transportation coalition
TEF was encouraged to continue its leadership role in convening stakeholders, funding innovative models, and amplifying the voices of seniors.
Summit Part 1 Resources
