The promises and perils of a free rural inter-city transportation scheme: A mixed-methods study from Northern Saskatchewan.

IF 2.9 4区 医学 Q2 PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH Canadian Journal of Public Health-Revue Canadienne De Sante Publique Pub Date : 2025-02-05 DOI:10.17269/s41997-024-00986-3
Jacob Albin Korem Alhassan, Daniel Fuller, Ron Woytowich
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Abstract

Objective: Transportation is a critical health determinant, yet the last decade has witnessed rapid disinvestment across Canada (particularly in rural contexts) with negative health consequences. We sought to explore and describe the benefits and challenges faced in operating the first community-driven free-transportation scheme in Saskatchewan that emerged in response to widespread unavailability of public transportation due to budget cuts (austerity).

Methods: We conducted a mixed-methods community-based participatory research study involving 22 interviews with bus riders and service administrators. We also performed descriptive statistics and chi-squared analyses on bus rider data (data on 1185 trips routinely collected between July 2023 and December 2023) to explore sociodemographic characteristics and trip purposes of bus riders.

Results: All trips were completed by 616 community members using the free bus service between July 2023 and December 2023. Community members took an average of 5 trips (median = 2.0) with a maximum of 22 trips being taken by one community member (1.9% of all trips). Most trips were by women (53%), and older adults mostly used the free bus for medical purposes (22% of riders were older adults and 34% of these used the bus for medical reasons). Qualitatively, the bus service has increased access to care and promotes social participation and autonomy, especially for older adults. The service however faces some challenges, including funding disruptions and difficulty recruiting and retaining drivers.

Conclusion: Free inter-community transportation (i.e. transportation across cities and municipalities) promotes health equity and access. In contexts without access to public transportation, governments could support community-driven initiatives through increased funding.

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Canadian Journal of Public Health-Revue Canadienne De Sante Publique
Canadian Journal of Public Health-Revue Canadienne De Sante Publique PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH-
CiteScore
6.10
自引率
4.70%
发文量
128
期刊介绍: The Canadian Journal of Public Health is dedicated to fostering excellence in public health research, scholarship, policy and practice. The aim of the Journal is to advance public health research and practice in Canada and around the world, thus contributing to the improvement of the health of populations and the reduction of health inequalities. CJPH publishes original research and scholarly articles submitted in either English or French that are relevant to population and public health. CJPH is an independent, peer-reviewed journal owned by the Canadian Public Health Association and published by Springer.   Énoncé de mission La Revue canadienne de santé publique se consacre à promouvoir l’excellence dans la recherche, les travaux d’érudition, les politiques et les pratiques de santé publique. Son but est de faire progresser la recherche et les pratiques de santé publique au Canada et dans le monde, contribuant ainsi à l’amélioration de la santé des populations et à la réduction des inégalités de santé. La RCSP publie des articles savants et des travaux inédits, soumis en anglais ou en français, qui sont d’intérêt pour la santé publique et des populations. La RCSP est une revue indépendante avec comité de lecture, propriété de l’Association canadienne de santé publique et publiée par Springer.
期刊最新文献
The promises and perils of a free rural inter-city transportation scheme: A mixed-methods study from Northern Saskatchewan. Acknowledgement of Reviewers of Canadian Journal of Public Health articles, 2024. Implementation and evaluation of a novel community-based urban mobile health clinic in Toronto, Ontario. Enablers and barriers to public health practice during COVID-19: Perspectives from local public leadership from across Canada. Embracing Housing First as a continuum: A response to "Safeguarding against the degradation of Housing First".
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