Population aging presents a significant challenge, particularly with the aging workforce, potentially impacting the development of various industries. Researchers across diverse fields have been dedicated to comprehending the implications of aging on industry sustainability and growth, as well as devising potential solutions [28,29,30,31,32]. In transportation, researchers have also dedicated considerable efforts to address safety concerns related to driver aging. Using non-professional driver data, Reason et al. [33] found a decline in violations with age based on multiple regressions. Blockey et al. and Rimmö [34,35] reached consistent conclusions. On the contrary, Khan M T. [36] conducted an evaluation of the impact of aging on driving abilities. They categorized drivers into two groups, the young group (under 40) and the elderly group (over 60), and performed various tests that correlated neuropsychological outcomes with driving performance. Their findings indicated a decline in driving performance within the elderly group. However, Hakamies-Blomqvist et al. [37] present a differing perspective. Utilizing survey data from Finland, they compared accident rates between older drivers (aged 65 and above) and younger drivers (aged 26–40). Innovatively, they introduced an additional control to account for low mileage bias across all age groups. Their research, for the first time, revealed that age does not lead to an increase in accidents per kilometer driven. For professional drivers, Dorn and Af Wåhlberg [38] employed two different methodologies, direct calculations and the indirect method of quasi-induced exposure, to investigate the influence of age and experience on bus driver accident involvement. Their research revealed that both young and old drivers had a higher frequency of accidents, which became more evident when their experience was held constant. In a separate study, Hamido et al. [39] conducted a statistical analysis of experiential data from Japanese truck transportation companies. Their findings indicated that, in comparison to younger drivers, age had a significantly reduced impact on older drivers.

There is also significant research on how aging affects taxi driver safety, often making comparisons between older and younger drivers. In earlier years, some viewpoints asserted that younger drivers lacked experience and were more prone to being unsafe [40,41]. Conversely, in recent years, numerous studies have taken a contrasting stance, suggesting that older drivers should be more focused on safety concerns. Vahedi et al. [42] used linear regression models and data from the Driver Behavior Questionnaire (DBQ) to suggest that older drivers may be more susceptible to traffic accidents due to their declining physical abilities. Peng et al. [12] collected self-report questionnaires from 2391 drivers in China and employed a set of comparative analyses and three structural equation models to analyze samples from specific age groups. The results indicated that elderly taxi drivers engage in risky behaviors and traffic accidents more frequently. Sun et al. [8] utilized independent sample t-tests to analyze data from 550 taxi drivers aged between 25 and 59. Their findings revealed that older drivers with greater driving experience tended to exhibit slower responses to hazards in video clips and were more inclined to adopt maladaptive driving styles.

However, although there is a significant amount of research on taxi services [43,44,45,46], the relationship between driver age and various aspects of the taxi service has been surprisingly understudied. While Koh et al. [47] compared physical health, working hours, driving distances, and accident rates between older and younger drivers, research into other performance factors is limited. More recently, Meng et al. [15] identified age as the only demographic predictor of self-reported fatigue among taxi drivers. Their findings revealed a complex dynamic in which younger drivers earn higher incomes but report greater work intensity and fatigue. Further investigation into the nuanced impacts of aging on additional dimensions of taxi service performance, such as customer satisfaction, driving skills, and earnings, is needed.

In summary, population aging has evidently exerted pressure on workforce sustainability across various industries. Scholars in many fields have comprehensively and profoundly discussed aging’s impacts within their respective disciplines. However, there has been limited research thoroughly examining how aging influences taxi service performance. The existing literature on aging’s effects in the taxi industry primarily focuses on safety aspects. There remains an inadequate understanding of how aging affects other dimensions of taxi performance such as economic, environmental, and overall metrics. While some initial insights have been gained, it is important to recognize that the relationship between aging and taxi service performance is both nuanced and complex. More empirical research is needed to investigate the multifaceted effects of aging on the economic, safety, environmental, and holistic performance of taxi services.