Ride share service use among older adults: Findings from a nationally representative survey

Introduction

Older adults' health, mobility, and independence is supported by safe and reliable transportation that connects them to health care, consumer needs, and activities. Ride share services are a promising transportation solution for older adults. Less is known about how often, where, and why older adults use ride share services.

Methods

Data were collected in May 2024 via a survey on ride share service use in a nationally representative sample of 1010 U.S. adults aged 50+. A descriptive analysis identified characteristics of older adults who have ever used a ride share service, including age, education, income, region, and metropolitan area. The analysis examined trip purpose, including health care appointments, trip frequency, service availability, and factors affecting use.

Results

Almost half of older adults (45.6 %) have used a ride share service, with most (92.8 %) reporting use monthly or less. Trip purposes included airport/travel (48.0 %), dining, recreation, and socializing (15.9 %), and health care (11.9 %). Geographic differences by region emerged: older adults residing in the Northeast were more likely to use ride share for health care. Those in the Mountain and Pacific regions were more likely to report access to ride share, as well as older adults who were younger, had higher levels of education, and lived in metropolitan areas. Key factors affecting use were convenience, safety, and affordability.

Conclusion

With nearly half of older adults using ride share services, additional research is needed to understand their preferences and satisfaction with these services to inform solutions that support their health, mobility, and independence.