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Transportation Dedicated To The Elderly and Sick - Norway
As indicated in the spreadsheet, the only community that provides transportation services in Norway that is solely dedicated to the elderly and the sick in DISCA. The transportation program is available across Norway and seniors, and the sick can be accessed using vans or wheelchairs. However, while several transportation service providers were required, we only identified one. Below is a methodology that we used in an attempt to find this information.
METHODOLOGY
The first strategy was to check for government agencies that provide transportation services in Norway. Some of the sources we looked at include Transport Norway, Norwegian Transportation Plan for 2018-2029 and the Ministry of Transport. Our objective was to locate any transportation programs specifically dedicated to the elderly and the sick. However, while there was information on volunteers and communities that provide transportation to this segment, it was not their sole target clientele, and they also served the public.
We also identified a senior transportation program for disabled citizens that was run by volunteers. The program was known as the Senior Transportation Program, a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization. It involved retired seniors who volunteered to use their vehicles and their time to transport the sick and seniors to medical appointments. However, the program was only mentioned in an article that dates back to 2010, and there are no current articles on the same, which makes it impossible to determine if the program is still running.
The second strategy was to conduct a search based on the Norwegian language while using ‘google translate’ to translate the key terms. Some of these include eldre, frivillig samfunnstransport, pasienttransport for eldre, tilpasset spesialtransport, and ridesharing app for eldre og funksjonshemmede. However, this strategy resulted in the identification of various communities and non-profit volunteer organizations like the National Council for Senior Citizens, Care Foundation, DISCA, and the Norwegian Association of Disabled (NAD). While all these communities are involved in enhancing the welfare of the elderly and the sick in Norway, it is only DISCA that offers transportation services that are solely dedicated to this segment of the population.
The next strategy was to check for non-profit organizations in Norway, such as Blue Cross, Autism Society, ADHD Association, the Norwegian OCD Association, LPP, the SOR Foundation, and Adults for Children. While these organizations catered to the mental and social development of people with various conditions such as autism and mental issues, none of them specifically focused on offering transport to the affected people. As such, this strategy was futile.
Our next strategy was to focus on digital applications like Simon ICT, Moovit, and Be My Eyes. We established that while Moovit and Be My Eyes provided public transit services in Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden and Norway, their services were accessible to the sick and disabled, but these applications also served the general public.
We then shifted our search to market reports on the transportation market for the sick and the disabled and wheelchair accessible vehicles. In this case, we checked the global market report for taxis and limousines and the ridesharing industry. Our intention was to identify any taxis solely dedicated to the sick and the elderly and to check for standard vehicles that had been modified to fit wheelchairs for the sick and elderly. Some of the sources checked include Transparency Market Research Report, PRNewswire, McKinsey, World Bank Reports, Credence, and Deloitte. Companies mentioned included Lyft and Uber, although both companies also offer services to the general public. Additionally, we identified leading manufacturers, but there was no mention of communities that are dedicated to providing transportation services to the disabled and the sick.
Our final strategy was to attempt triangulation whereby the assumption was that communities that offer transportation services for the elderly and the sick across Europe also cater to the Norwegian market. Some of the sources we checked include Sage Traveling, Visit Norway and Transport Odisabili. Based on this strategy, only Sage Traveling provides transport services to the sick and the elderly in Norway and Europe, but it was a company and not a community as required. As such, it has been included as helpful findings. SIMON ICT platform also offers transportation services for the disabled and elderly in Europe, but the service is not available in Norway. As such, this strategy was also futile.
In conclusion, while there were several communities, ridesharing applications, and volunteers that provide transportations services to the elderly and the sick, most of them also serve the general public.
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES IN NORWAY THAT ARE SOLELY DEDICATED TO THE ELDERLY AND SICK PEOPLE
DISCA
This is a community that provides transportation that is dedicated to the elderly and sick people in Norway through its transportation program. It is available all over the country, and the seniors can be accessed by wheelchairs and vans, based on their individual needs. The rides can be booked for medical appointments or dinner and shopping at local senior centers.
HELPFUL INSIGHTS
These are companies, applications, or communities that also offer transportation services to the sick and the elderly, but they also serve other target groups.
BERGEN TAXI
The company operates in the Bergen area of Norway and has 38 modern minibuses and 350 taxis to provide transportation to the disabled and the sick, whether they are using wheelchairs or stretchers. However, the company also provides transport to children and corporate teams.
SAGE TRAVELING
This company provides transportation services to cater for the sick and elderly. Additionally, the firm has expertise in European accessible travel which enables it to provide customized accessible holidays for the disabled and senior regardless of their mobility issues such as the use of scooters, wheelchairs, or walkers. The company operates in Norway and requires all the information relating to the needs of the elderly clients to be provided before commencement of the trip, which ensures it is adequately prepared for each trip.
MOOVIT
Moovit is an application that is used globally. It helps transit agencies, cities, and governments to regain control of urban mobility by providing an integrated and sustainable mobility platform that empowers smart cities. As such, it is used to provide public transportation services for the sick, disabled, and the public in Norway.
THE VY GROUP
The VY Group provides transportation services to people with disabilities and the public in Nordic countries. It is owned by the Norwegian government through its Ministry of Transport and Communications. People with disabilities are entitled to travel with the company.