Results of research into old people have shown that, since they manage on their own as long as possible, their contacts with their children, grandchildren and friends are of considerable importance. Without doubt they are dependent on public transport for maintaining these contacts because the number of car owners amongst pensioners has decreased progressively over recent years. Local public transport systems have been improved to suit customer requirements. It is in the interest of the transport company to fulfil their requirements. For school children, employees and housewives, who want to save time most of all, facilities are promoted in a rational manner. The interests of old folk who want to travel to their children, friends and most importantly their doctor, outside peak traffic hours, suffer from the reduced transport facilities offered after school and office closing times. With the problems and dangers resulting from this, social-political research and traffic medicine should work together to improve the situation. This paper was presented at the 38th annual conference of the German society for accident medical science, insurance, social care and traffic accident medicine, 21 to 23 November 1974, in Berlin.
Samenvatting