Nearly a quarter of South East residents make friends on the bus

Instead of plugging in headphones or burying heads in books while travelling on public transport, residents in the South East are actually striking up conversations with strangers, as new research shows nearly a quarter (23%) have made long-lasting friendships with people they have met on the bus. 

The newly commissioned research by First Bus, one of the UK’s largest bus operators, reveals that the bus is a place where chance encounters evolve into lasting friendships, with nearly a third (27%) of those in the South East stating they often meet new people on the bus. 

Also perhaps surprisingly, Londoners make the most friends (46%) 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%. 

Regions most likely to make friends on the bus: 

1. London – 46% 
2. Wales – 40% 
3. East of England – 36% 
4. North East, West Midlands – 34% 
5. East Midlands – 26% 
6. North West, South West, South East, Yorkshire/Humberside – 23% 
7. Northern Ireland – 22% 
8. Scotland – 19% 

It’s clear that small talk on public transport helps strengthen community ties in the South East, as over four in five (82%) 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 in the South East, nearly a third (31%) reveal they would experience feelings of isolation. 

To celebrate the role the bus plays in connecting communities through conversation, TV personality, Josie Gibson, joined First Bus on a tour, reminiscing on how the bus played a key role in keeping her connected to her community. Josie also spoke to a selection of everyday heroes from across the country who are doing spectacular things within their community to make it a better place.  

TV personality Josie Gibson, joined First Bus on a tour, reminiscing on how the bus played a key role in keeping her connected to her community. 

Josie helped share the stories of resilience, dedication and community spirit of just a few everyday heroes, representing the everyday of the many; showing how the bus brings people together.  Everyday Heroes | First Bus

Speaking about the bus, Josie Gibson commented: “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 Goff, Managing Director, First Bus South, commented: “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 see 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.”  

First Bus is undergoing a huge transformation as a business, focusing on its passengers, and its people. The bus can bring everyone closer together and connect communities – buses don’t just move a nation, but they bring a nation together, every day.