The Inverse Relationship Between Age And Transit Use

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.

1 minute read

December 15, 2006, 1:00 PM PST

By Nate Berg


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."

Monday, December 11, 2006 in The North County Times

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

: Construction of massive Samsung semiconductor fabrication plant

In Texas, data centers are swallowing promised parkland

Residents who moved to Taylor, Texas for a rural community now have to contend with three data centers in their backyard.

November 3 - Inside Climate News

A construction crew working on SunZia.

How a Chicago-sized wind farm beat the odds and powered on

The project spanned five presidential administrations and a standoff with a U.S. military base.

November 3 - Grist

A rendering of the basketball court, a green court under a blue sky.

MTA gives itself 30 days to transform pit into basketball court

The site has been under construction since 2022; the city originally estimated it would finish the court in 2024.

November 3 - Gothamist