News -
Go North East's 'Chatty Bus Champions' to return this week to help tackle loneliness
On Thursday 18 April, following the success of Go North East's first Chatty Bus Day back in January, the region's biggest bus company is bringing its second instalment to the people of the North East on some of its busiest routes.
The Chatty Bus initiative is in response to the Government's loneliness strategy, with research undertaken by ComRes on behalf of Greener Journeys showing that three in 10 Britons go at least one-day-a-week without speaking to anyone close to them.
The poll of 2,000 people also highlighted that a third of those surveyed deliberately catch the bus to have some human contact while two thirds of bus users believe the bus creates strong community ties.
From 9.30am-3pm on Thursday 18 April, Chatty Bus Champions will be boarding a number of journeys on three of Go North East’s most popular services, including:
- Angel 21 between Durham and Newcastle, via Chester-le-Street, Birtley, Low Fell and Gateshead.
- Castles Express X21 between Bishop Auckland and Newcastle, via Spennymoor, Durham, Chester-le-Street and Gateshead.
- Service 309 between Blyth and Newcastle, via Whitley Bay and the Coast Road.
Martijn Gilbert, managing director of Go North East, said: "Loneliness is a major problem in today's society, so we were pleased to see how well received our first Chatty Bus Day was.
"This Thursday our second instalment will coincide with 'Getting to Know Your Customers Day', and we're looking forward to welcoming you all on board for a good old natter, with the overall aim of making people happier."
More information about the Chatty Bus initiative can be found by visiting gonortheast.co.uk/chatty-bus.
