To create a truly age-friendly community, it’s crucial that older residents are both informed about and comfortable using community and public transit options. NJTIP will lead the TIP Passaic STEP initiative, aimed at enhancing age-friendly practices in Paterson and Wayne, NJ. NJTIP seeks to educate local older adults and professionals on effectively navigating public and community transit. Leveraging NJTIP’s extensive experience in travel instruction, planning, and policy development, we will address gaps in knowledge and familiarity with local transportation options. Our goal is to empower older adults and their support networks to safely access essential destinations as they age in Passaic County. Additionally, we will gather primary data from older adults and other stakeholders to better understand their mobility needs and challenges. This data will inform the planned trainings for TIP Passaic STEP as well as support broader community efforts to implement sustainable, age-friendly solutions.

This project centers on the World Health Organization’s age-friendly domain of transportation, which profoundly influences other age-friendly domains such as social participation, civic engagement, employment, and communication. The New Jersey Age-Friendly Blueprint emphasizes the importance of providing residents with the resources needed to lead fulfilling lives in their chosen communities. One of those vital resources is transportation, and as highlighted in the Blueprint, “Transportation plays a crucial role in connecting every domain of aging addressed in this blueprint.” While accessible public transit is essential, awareness and familiarity with these services are equally important. This is where travel training becomes indispensable. Our project directly addresses Blueprint Recommendation #8, which advocates to “Explore and promote existing travel training opportunities to increase the level of comfort in navigating public transportation.” By focusing on both the availability of accessible transit and the effective use of these services, our initiative aims to enhance residents’ confidence and competence in navigating public transportation, thereby supporting their overall well-being and engagement in the community.