Experience and Opinion of Older Rural South Dakotans about Transportation: An AARP Survey

Recently, federal legislation was passed reauthorizing the nation’s surface transportation programs in the states. South Dakota received approximately $570 million for highway funding over two years, and crafters of the bill note that rural and small communities are priority targets for improved transit services. However, the bill maintains that in 2013, the overall highway formula funding will be about $287 million and the state will receive just $12 million specifically for public transit.

In their continued efforts to be a voice for all South Dakotans and especially those ages 50 and older, AARP in South Dakota commissioned a survey to learn more about the communities and experiences of those ages 50 and older residents living in small towns and rural areas. The survey gauges the experience and opinions of these residents about their communities, caregiving, grandparenting, transportation, Internet usage, and certain legislative issues that AARP may be able to address in the year ahead on behalf of older South Dakotans. This report describes responses to all questions related to transportation.  For more information, please contact Jennifer Sauer at 202-434-6207.