Aging in Place: Why Senior Transportation Matters More Than Ever in Tennessee

For Tennessee’s older adults, access to transportation is more than a convenience. It’s a lifeline to independence, healthcare and community connections.

As Tennessee continues to grow, so does the importance of ensuring that older residents can remain active, independent and connected to their communities. For seniors who no longer drive or have limited access to a vehicle, public transportation can make the difference between aging in place and becoming isolated.

Tennessee is one of only six states with some form of public transportation available in every county. However, transportation options vary considerably between urban and rural communities.

Jason Spain, Executive Director of the Tennessee Public Transportation Association (TPTA), emphasizes that transportation is particularly critical in rural Tennessee, where distances are greater and alternatives are limited.

“If you’re someone who doesn’t have access to a vehicle or someone who doesn’t drive because you’re elderly or disabled, you can very quickly become cut off from employment opportunities, jobs, health care appointments and just become isolated from your community,” Spain explains.

In some rural communities, public transportation may mean a smaller vehicle picking up a resident at home and traveling 30 miles to a dialysis appointment. In cities and suburban communities, fixed-route buses and accessible transportation services offer additional options.

Transportation Supports Independence and Quality of Life

Kaitlyn McClanahan of the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) emphasizes that public transit helps residents maintain their independence, particularly those who choose to retire in Tennessee’s smaller communities.

“Transit is a lifeline for people who don’t have any other option to leave their home other than the bus or the small van that comes to pick them up and take them where they need to go,” McClanahan says.

Transportation is not simply about medical appointments. It’s also about visiting family, shopping, attending community activities and maintaining friendships.

TDOT’s Office of Mobility and Accessible Transportation, established in 2020, focuses specifically on improving transportation for older adults, people with disabilities and other vulnerable populations.

New transportation technologies, including on-demand services and easier booking options, are also helping communities expand mobility choices.

Transit On Demand

For seniors in Franklin, access to reliable transportation is essential to maintaining independence and quality of life. Franklin Transit’s Transit On DemanD (TODD) program, operated by The TMA Group, provides convenient, affordable curb-to-curb transportation throughout most of Franklin, including Cool Springs. The reservation-based service helps older adults reach medical appointments, grocery stores, shopping destinations and community activities without relying on family members or driving themselves. All TODD vehicles are ADA accessible, and adults 65 and older receive discounted fares of just $2 one way or $4 round trip. By connecting seniors to the places and people that matter most, TODD helps reduce isolation and supports aging in place.  For more information on TODD, visit the FranklinTransit.org or call 615-628-0260.

A Community Investment That Benefits Everyone

Both Spain and McClanahan stress that public transportation benefits entire communities, not just those who ride.

As Spain points out, even residents who never board a bus benefit when an elderly neighbor can reach a medical appointment or remain engaged in community life.

For organizations like TMA Group, connecting community needs with transportation solutions remains an important part of building a more accessible Middle Tennessee.

As our region grows and ages, investing in transportation choices means investing in healthier, more connected communities where residents can maintain their independence at every stage of life.