Transportation connects people to the goods and services they need. It is vital, especially as older persons strive to maintain their independence. Changes associated with the aging process can make both driving and the use of regular public transportation difficult. Transportation programs provided by the network of State and Area Agencies on Aging can help link older persons with a range of community resources essential for independent living. Based on AoA data covering the 2003 federal fiscal year, the total expenditures for transportation by the network of State and Area Agencies on Aging from all sources were $185.7 million.
 
Survey Content and Results
 
The transportation questionnaire covered the following topical areas:

• Duration and frequency of use
• Degree of reliance on the transportation program
• Comfort, convenience, and adequacy of the service
• Travel patterns and trip purposes
• Access to and use of a car
• Demographic characteristics
• Social functioning (using questions from the Longitudinal Study of Aging II)*
• Emotional well being (using questions from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System)*
• Physical functioning (using Activity and Instrumental Activity of Daily Living Limitations)*