Elderly ‘trapped’ by lack of transport - report

THOUSANDS of older people are “trapped” in their homes because of a lack of transport, a report has claimed.

The WRVS said as many as 300,000 over-75s were being unnecessarily socially excluded. Cuts in public transport were having a “devastating” impact on older people’s sense of happiness.

A survey of 900 people in Britain over the age of 75 found almost a fifth do not use public transport because it is not suitable for their disabilities.

One in ten said they had lost their independence because they could not get out.

David McCullough, WRVS chief executive, said: “Older people shouldn’t be confined to their own homes simply because they can’t access transport.

“This can have a devastating impact on wellbeing.”