I doubt it, the number of high schoolers getting their drivers license is by far the lowest it's been in a very long time.

I wouldn't call it addiction. But rather, transit is much more of an enjoyable experience with a smart phone and headphones than 10 years ago when you just had a newspaper.

From my vantage point in an express bus on the freeway at rush hour, I can see into cars quite well. It's people of all ages staring at their phones while barreling down the interstate at 70mph. So no, I doubt being addicted to phones is driving Transit use!

People have always found things to do on the train: https://mcnyblog.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/35mm_10292_030d...

I suspect that, like most things that young people are spending less on, it's due to ever-growing financial insecurity. Interesting application of the avocado-toast argument, though.