Transportation policies in the 1980's must pay increasing attention to the
needs of the elderly and handicapped. By 1990, the number of people over 65
will have grown from today's 19 million to 27 million. During the same
period, the number of handicapped--people who have difficulty using
transit as well as autos, including the elderly--is expected to increase
from 9 to 11 million, making up 4.5 percent of the population.
We must not retreat from a policy that affords a significant and growing
portion of our population accessible public transportation while
recognizing that the handicapped are a diverse group and will need
flexible, door-to-door service where regular public transportation will not
do the job.