Transit experiences while navigating the city: A study on low-income older immigrants in Hamilton, Ontario

Keywords: transit, immigrants, older adults, low-income,
Abstract Type: Paper Abstract

Abstract

The inequitable distribution of transit services among different demographic groups has become a critical concern for urban scholars. In this study, we explored the urban transit experiences of a demographic group who face multiple vulnerabilities – aging, being low-income, and being immigrants. We conducted semi-structured interviews of 54 older immigrant adults (55 years and above) who belong to low-income households (annual income less than 40K) and live in urban areas of Hamilton, served by the city’s transit network. Eighty-seven percent of the study participants immigrated to Canada within the last fifteen years from Global South countries (e.g., China, Syria, Iraq, Jamaica, Columbia, Mexico, etc.). Our objective was to identify the barriers and challenges low-income older immigrant adults face not only while using transit but also while navigating the city through transit. Thematic analysis suggests that older immigrants faced multiple challenges in finding support in learning and navigating Hamilton’s transit system after arrival. Other challenges include access to a vehicle, not being used to using transit, traveling to known destinations only, transportation cost, information gap, lack of digital literacy, language barriers, the need for door-to-door service, fear of safety, harassment, and racism. Our study also finds positive perceptions associated with transit use, including (comparatively) organized systems, freedom and independence of mobility, helpful drivers, and a better social environment. We conclude with a discussion on how to improve transit services for low-income older immigrants to reduce their vulnerability and marginalization within the system.