A Valley Metro representative told the council last week that an aging population in Fountain Hills is likely to have significant impact on the community’s future transit and transportation needs.

The town had asked Valley Metro to conduct a transit needs study at a cost of $60,000.

Survey results are the first step in developing recommendations for long-term goals, according to Janet Strauss with Valley Metro.

Mayor Linda Kavanagh asked Strauss about the efforts to make contact with seniors in the community.

Strauss noted that those involved in collecting survey information were in contact with Senior Services as well as had a presence in the Community Center and library with the survey material and additional information.

Initial findings for the study indicate that the increasing age of the population will likely result in a need for transportation services such as Dial-A-Ride or a taxi voucher program.

The study also found that half the survey participants would consider using public transit service if it were more readily available here.

Over the last decade the population of residents 65 years of age and older has increased by 48 percent, while the number of those 18 to 24 has increased by just 7 percent. The population under the age of 18 has declined by 10 percent.

Using the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey five-year estimates, the study indicates that 78 percent of Fountain Hills residents drive to work alone.

Just 12 percent carpool to work.

Those who use public transit are measured at “0” percent.

Valley Metro reports that it received 469 responses from its survey, and of those 84 percent were Fountain Hills residents.

Councilman Henry Leger asked whether the 84 percent identified as residents included part-time residents. Strauss said part-time residents were considered as living in Fountain Hills.

Nearly 60 percent of those surveyed were over the age of 60.

There were 37 percent of those surveyed who said they had used Valley Metro services in the past, with 11 percent indicating they used transit services several times per month.

Those who stated they had not used transit services were asked why. There were 32 percent said they prefer to drive, and 27 percent said there was no convenient service.

Councilman Cecil Yates asked whether the survey had determined needs for transportation routes within Fountain Hills.

Strauss said there were no conclusions regarding types of service, but such a determination is a goal of the study.

Councilwoman Ginny Dickey asked about connections for light rail and bus lines.

Strauss noted that investment in light rail is extremely high, so needs for expansion and connections for bus service would be addressed first.

Vice Mayor Tait Elkie asked about a local service within the Town of Fountain Hills.

Strauss said an objective of the study would be to cost out local routing.

Further work regarding the study will include discussion with neighboring communities to share the survey results and discuss their future transit needs and goals.

Preliminary recommendations will be developed for Fountain Hills following these efforts.

Strauss said completion of the study is expected in 2014, but Valley Metro representatives will return at regular intervals to update the council on progress.