Grant Map EU

“Demographic change requires particular adaptations of the transport system, not only in areas suffering of depopulation, but even in those urban places which are preferred residential areas of elderly. The perception of the mobility needs of elderly and the demand for suitable transport solutions for the 65+ generations is widely not well developed in the mind-sets of city planners, transport professionals and operators of transport services. Accessibility to transport services is in a fact restricted due to physical barriers and distant service points. Solving the problem with activities under Public Service Obligation is often expected, but practically unaffordable in most municipalities and unmanageable within the existing transport system. New forms of flexible, demand responsive, door-to-door micro-transport can fill the gap at least in the urban environment. Emission free Electrical Power Assisted Cabin-Cycles (EPAC) is seen as a potential solution to support the mobility of elderly in towns, city districts or neighbourhoods. Social entrepreneurship is expected to fill the gap. However, developing and testing of new service models is required in a close cooperation of all actors in the field. The right positioning of new mobility services for both, passenger and freight, within the legal and regulatory framework is challenging. Preferably, the service shall be self-sustaining, but depending from economic environment, urban structure, availability of other services, culture and attitude also solutions of mixed private and public funding can be applicable. MITRA is addressing planning authorities, charity organisations and social entrepreneurs to develop policies and a service model which can be applied in all participating regions and beyond. MITRA will involve the 65+ generations actively as users and performers of an innovative micro-transport service in mutual neighbourly assistance.”