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Instead of plugging in headphones or burying heads in books while travelling on public transport, Brits are actually striking up conversations with strangers, as new research shows nearly three in 10 have made long-lasting friendships with people they have met on the bus.
The research by First Bus reveals that the bus is a place where chance encounters evolve into lasting friendships. Contrary to popular belief, it’s the younger generations who are nattering on the bus the most, with 17% of Millennials and 16% of Gen Z revealing they strike up conversations often with the person next to them. In fact, nearly half of Gen Z and Millennials say they’ve turned their fleeting conversations into meaningful friendships.
Londoners make the most friends on the bus despite being stereotyped as one of the most unfriendly regions in the UK, with the warmth of the Welsh coming in closely behind at 40%.
It’s clear that small talk on public transport helps strengthen community ties, as four in five agree that it’s important in supporting community connections and 44% believe the bus is a vital service in their community. Also, when asked how they’d feel if the bus was no longer available for them to use, over a quarter reveal they would experience feelings of isolation.
Bristolian Josie Gibson joined First Bus on a tour of her area, reminiscing on how the bus played a key role in keeping her connected to her community.
Josie sai: “My time reminiscing on the journeys I used to make when I was younger has been a great reminder of the wonderful way buses offer connection for people. The bus is the unsung hero within our local communities, so I’m not surprised to hear how many people are making long -lasting connections after a brief chinwag to the person sat next to them.”
Simon Pearson, Chief Commercial Officer, First Bus, said: “The bus is more than just a mode of transport, it’s a critical connector of people to each other and to their communities and without it many would feel isolated and cut off. In fact, our research shows that nearly half (44%) of people these the bus as a vital service within their community.
“It’s been brilliant partnering with Josie Gibson to help promote the vital work buses do in connecting people to their local communities and we’ve loved getting to hear what a key part the bus played in her life and career too.”
