For longtime Anchorage resident Patricia Bray, the city bus has been an important part of daily life for more than two decades. So much so that when Patricia chose where to live, proximity to public transit was part of the decision. “I based my choice on living close to access to the bus,” she said, describing how she lives just a few yards away from a bus stop.
Community For Patricia, the bus offers more than just a service. It helps her stay connected to the community and remain independent moving about in a city as Anchorage. “It is great being able to combine different ways of getting around-like riding with a bicycle, walker, or scooter.”
Saving Money and Expanding Opportunities The Municipality of Anchorage recently approved an additional day for seniors (60 years and over) to ride for free. The program expansion offers seniors free rides on Wednesdays and Friday. For Patricia, this offers both financial relief and new opportunities to stay active. She described that with the additional day, there is an automatic saving that can go toward groceries or other expenses for seniors with fixed incomes. She mentioned the additional free day gives her more ability to plan for activities she’d like to explore but previously had been unable to. Since People Mover operates from 6a.m. to 11 p.m. on the routes she frequents, she has options throughout the day for errands, appointments, and activities. “There is something in that schedule for everyone,” Patricia said.
Accessible Features Make a Difference One of Patricia’s favorite features is the accessibility built into People Mover buses, which makes riding easier and safer for seniors and riders with mobility challenges. “The buses have some really fantastic features,” she said. She finds the lowering of the bus to curb level, the ability to deploy the on-board ramp, and the Senior and ADA priority seating up front incredibly useful for boarding after a grocery run-“it’s a wonderful feature in all kinds of weather.”
Adapting to Community Needs Patricia has seen how Anchorage’s bus system continues to evolve to meet community needs. She pointed to Route 11, which connects downtown Anchorage to the senior center as a prime example. When Carrs grocery store closed in the Fairview neighborhood, the route was adjusted to help residents maintain access to shopping and pharmacies. “That was very smart design,” Patricia said. “It directly addresses the issue of Fairview being stranded without access to groceries.”
Planning for the Future Patricia believes public transit can play an important role as transportation costs change over time. With global events continuing to influence solo transportation costs today, like fuel and maintenance, Patricia encourages people to think ahead about how they might adapt. “People should at least be curious and research now how to prepare if prices continue to increase,” she said. Public transit, she believes, can be important part of that preparation.
Flexibility for Anchorage’s Growing Senior Population With 60,763 seniors in the Anchorage area, Bray says expanded ride-free opportunities provide welcome flexibility for riders with different schedules and routines. The extra ride-free weekday also allows seniors greater flexibility when planning outings, errands, and social activities. “Seniors biological clocks can vary quite a bit from age group to age group,” she said. “Some people start their mornings very early, and others need more time to finish out their day.” For seniors like Patricia, the bus remains more than just a way to travel-it’s a tool for independence, connection, and staying engaged with the community.
Isabella Zamarron is Public Transportation Department Planning and Communications Manager for People Mover
