The Inverse Relationship Between Age And Transit Use

Posted by: Nate Berg

15 December 2006 - 1:00pm

A recent survey reveals that San Diego County senior citizens are less likely to use public transportation as they grow older. Many seniors cite their lack of experience, long waits, and a lack of adequate routes as keeping them from using transit.

The survey, conducted by the San Diego Association of Governments, found that ridership falls dramatically as citizens age from their 60s to their 70s, and even more dramatically as citizens age from their 70s to their 80s.

"According to the survey, which will be used to design transportation services for senior citizens, the biggest reason seniors cite for being unwilling to use public transit is lack of experience. More than 16 percent of respondents said they had never been on a bus or train."

"Among other responses, 13.5 percent of respondents said they chose not to use transit because the wait for the bus is too long, 10.6 percent said more bus routes were needed, 8.4 percent said the transit service nearest to them is too far away and 6.6 percent said they feared for their safety."

Full Story: Survey: Bus use declines with age

Source: The North County Times, December 11, 2006