Determinants of Public Transportation Utilization among Older Adults toward Inclusive Urban Mobility in Surakarta City

Abstract

The increasing proportion of older people in urban areas highlights the importance of developing an inclusive transportation system that ensures accessibility, independence, and social participation. Although age-friendly city concepts and programs have been widely promoted, public transportation use among older people has not yet been adequately studied in Surakarta City. This study has two objectives: (1) to identify the level of public transportation utilization among older people in Surakarta City, and (2) to examine the associated factors. A quantitative approach was used, with data collected through a questionnaire survey of 100 older adult residents of Surakarta City. This study used stratified proportional random sampling. Descriptive statistical analysis, the Chi-Square test, and Spearman Rank correlation were used to analyze the data. The results indicate that public transportation utilization among the older adults in Surakarta City remains relatively low. This pattern may be linked to several factors with significant correlations, such as age, distance to public transport stops, waiting time, health conditions, and private vehicle ownership. These factors indicate that barriers to elderly mobility are not only physical but also related to demographic aspects, physical condition, perceived comfort, spatial accessibility, and preferences for transportation modes. This study highlights the need for efforts to realize inclusive mobility in Surakarta City by considering the characteristics and specific needs of elderly as public transportation users.