Steering the conversation: Warmth of Leeds wins friends on the bus

London, UK, 9^th December 2024 – Instead of plugging in headphones or burying heads in books while travelling on public transport, residents in Leeds are striking up conversations with strangers, as new research shows almost a quarter (24%) 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 one In four (23%) also stating they often meet new people and have a natter 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 Leeds, as nearly four in five (77%) agree that it’s important in supporting community connections and 43% 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, 27% 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 of her local area, reminiscing on how the bus played a key role in keeping her connected to her community.

As part of her work with First Bus, 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.  

The people she spoke to can be seen here 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.”

A First Bus spokesperson 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.

ENDS

Notes to editors  

For all media enquires please contact Richard Harrison richard.m.harrison@firstbus.co.uk 07973 668116 or press office on firstbus@ready10.media 

Methodology 

Research was conducted by PureSpectrum among 2021 UK general consumers. The research fieldwork took place between 19th - 21st November, 2024.

 About First Bus   

At First Bus, we are on a mission to grow bus usage. We will get behind initiatives that move people out of cars and onto bus. We’re one of the UK’s largest bus operators, delivering over a million passenger journeys every week for the communities we serve. Transforming our business for the better, we’re putting our people and customers at the heart of all we do.