Senior citizens struggle with inaccessible public spaces, transit systems

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: Senior citizens across the city are finding it increasingly difficult to access public spaces and transportation services due to various obstacles.

From parks closing earlier than expected to dangerous road crossings, poor street lighting and overcrowded buses and metros, these challenges are compounding the daily struggles of the elderly.

For many senior citizens, parks provide the rare refuge for them to socialise and exercise. However, in several neighbourhoods, parks are closing earlier, leaving them with no place to walk or relax after sunset.

"I used to walk every evening after 7 pm, but now the park shuts its gates at 6.30 pm," says 68-year-old Karnakar Rao from Girinagar.

"This change has disrupted my routine and left me feeling more isolated." Crossing roads has also become a nerve-wracking experience for elderly pedestrians, who often face fast-moving traffic.

Traffic signals are either too short for them to cross safely, or vehicles don’t always respect pedestrians’ right of way.

"I can’t count the number of times I have gotten stuck halfway across a road," expressed 72-year old Srinivas Murthy, a retired teacher from Rajajinagar highlighting the issue of crumbling sidewalks and poor road conditions.

"Speeding cars and bikes are terrifying, and there are hardly any pedestrian bridges or proper crossings." Poor street lighting exacerbates the problem, especially during the early evenings, in many areas streetlights are either dim or non-functional, leaving seniors to navigate poorly lit roads on their own.

"We can barely see anything after dark. Walking home from the market is a risk every single time," adds Chandramma, a 75-year-old woman from NR Colony.

Public transportation remains another significant hurdle. Despite being eligible for priority seating, many senior citizens often end up standing on crowded buses and metros.

"I have had to stand on multiple occasions even though there are seats reserved for seniors," shares 65-year-old Vijyalakshmi from Hoskerahalli.

"Younger commuters are not always considerate, and it's exhausting to stand on long journeys." Efforts to address these challenges have been slow, with local authorities only promising solutions. For senior citizens, immediate action is necessary to make public spaces and transit systems more accessible.