CIBCOL Research, centered on public transport used by the elderly, seeks to identify the constraints which may exist when deploying new solutions related to travel information and ticketing in public transport. The initial assumption was that the adoption of these new technologies by the elderly would affect their use of public transport. The main objective was to better understand the elderly's adaptation process to new information and ticketing technologies developed and applied to public transport. The research methodology is based on 3 components: - A questionnaire given to representative cohorts of two differentiated elderly populations (around 65 and around 75 years). This survey was conducted at 6 locations (4 urban and 2 regional bus networks). - a series of over 80 interviews with residents of the towns of la Rochelle and Belfort - Finally, focus groups were formed bringing together elderly people from two bus networks (Belfort and La Rochelle). Results show that if driving cars is the most frequently used mode of transportation after walking, 60% of people over age 60 who responded to the questionnaire use buses to get around with varying frequencies based on criteria related to the individual and their social situation (family, gender, education level, etc), and the public transport features (frequency and quality of service, type of network - urban or inter-city). Buses are mainly used for leisure or shopping, but also, in no small way for health reasons, implying a necessary reflection on the comfort of vehicles and routes, particularly relating to accessibility issues and bus stop proximity to homes, as well as the frequency of scheduled routes. Buses are perceived as an appealing alternative to driving, especially in the city. Of those who responded to the questionnaire, 45% did not have a computer connected to the Internet, and only a small minority (3.5%) had a mobile smart device connection. Access to various online information sources is therefore not possible for a large proportion of people. Age is quite a discriminating factor, with social and individual characteristics. The fact that those in the younger sample cohort had more of an opportunity to access the Internet suggests that the proportion of the digital divide based on age could be gradually reduced. The most popular information media used are guide booklets and displays in paper format, however a number of modifications to improve their readability seem necessary. Interestingly, transportation system websites are the third way of accessing information. Criticisms of their ergonomics and lack of clarity when trying to obtain information lead to recomand improvements to better adapt to the demands, especially concerning the proposed routes. Paper-based transport tickets are the most frequently used. Electronic-based ticket technology (bank cards, mobile phones ...) are little known and rejected. Contactless smartcards are commonly used in both of the urban networks where they are employed. Their operation has become well integrated, with one limitation being the difficulty to find out the card's remaining balance. Topping-up subscriptions is almost always done at the ticket counter or from local shops. For ticket purchases, the counter and the bus driver are the most used methods. Recharging over the Internet or by electronic-based technology (ticket by SMS) is little known, rarely used or even rejected. Preferred technological innovations are those that do not require the user's handling of a technological device, and mainly those that contribute to "empowering" the public transport user (audio information, real-time information on video displays at stops and inside the vehicles ...). Technological systems are feared or rejected if they involve owning a device (cell phone) not only because of their low level of proficiency with these devices but also because of the public nature of transportation, which should not, according to them, involve the use of private resources such as cell phone subscriptions. In the end, the appropriation of new technology by the elderly has had only a minor impact on their use of public transport, the main determining variables being related to the quality of the transportation network. This impact, however, is likely to increase with upcoming generations, but with a strong contrast between the popular technological devices and those which are rejected.
