Yiwen(Leah) Chen2024-05-232024-05-232024-05-23https://hdl.handle.net/1813/115229This study examines the impact of COVID-19 on senior citizens' use of public transportation within the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system, focusing on how seniors adjusted their travel to avoid contagion risks and how responses varied among different socioeconomic groups. Data includes BART ridership statistics, Customer Satisfaction Surveys, and a comprehensive review of socioeconomic factors affecting senior mobility. The analysis employs multiple linear regression and geographically weighted regression to identify significant predictors of changes in travel behavior. Results indicate a significant reduction in overall public transit usage with a slow recovery post-pandemic, especially in the southern parts of the Bay Area. However, relative to other demographic groups, the proportion of seniors using the service increased. This study highlights the resilience and increased dependency on public transportation among some senior groups during crises, suggesting the need for targeted transit policies to support this vulnerable population.TransportationSeniorsdissertation or thesis