REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Consider the Senior Advisory Commission's Transportation Interest Letter and Request for Referral of the topic to the Council Priority Setting Session
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Promote and Enhance Economic, Housing and Transportation Development
BACKGROUND
In October 2016, the City of Santa Clara adopted the World Health Organization's (WHO) Age-friendly Cities Framework which proposes eight (8) interconnected domains that can help to identify and address barriers to the well-being and participation of older people in the community as well as to help cities align their policies and programs to address gaps based on available resources. The Age-friendly Cities Framework's domains include: Economics and Employment; Community; Housing; Outdoor Spaces and Buildings; Transportation and Streets; Health, Wellness, and Nutrition; and Social and Civic Engagement. In 2017, the Parks & Recreation Department conducted a Senior Needs Assessment (SNA) using the domains as areas of focus to assess the needs of older adults (persons over 50 years) living in Santa Clara. Since then, the Senior Advisory Commission has used both the SNA and the eight (8) domains- as areas of focus for discussion and to develop the Commission's annual Work Plan goals and activities.
In 2020/21, the domain of "Transportation and Streets" became an area of interest and focus for the Commission, and a subcommittee was formed to gather information. The Commission reviewed the SNA results regarding transportation and identified several transportation challenges for seniors, such as:
* limited public bus and train routes that serve neighborhoods away from main streets;
* limited weekend public transportation options; and,
* increased traffic congestion poses a challenge to the safety of pedestrians and motorists.
The SNA also identified senior's interest in:
* a safe and accessible shuttle service to serve older adults;
* more bus stops near public facilities, such as...
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