The population of Fountain Hills is aging and that will likely drive the community’s transit and transportation needs in the future.

Valley Metro representatives will present the results of its transit and feasibility study for transportation in Fountain Hills to the Town Council on Thursday, May 2.

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 in the community.

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.

Nearly 60 percent of those surveyed are 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.

The study concludes that additional survey analysis will be needed. It also calls for 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.

The report will be presented during the Town Council meeting Thursday, May 2, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers at Town Hall.