INSTEAD of plugging in headphones or burying their heads in books while travelling on public transport, residents in the South West are actually striking up conversations with strangers, new research shows.

The research, commissioned by First Bus, one of the UK’s largest bus operators, shows nearly a quarter, 24 percent, of passengers have made long-lasting friendships with people they have met on the bus.

Over one in five people said they often meet new people on the bus, 78 percent of those in the South West saying they feel public transport plays an important role in connecting communities.

To celebrate the role the bus plays in connecting communities through conversation, TV personality and Bristolian, 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.

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, such as Nick Dalkins.

Nick is swimming the English Channel in 2026 with the aim of raising £10,000 for Dorset's Weldmar Hospicecare, Macmillan Cancer Support, and Dementia UK.

‘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’ Josie said.

‘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’ Josie added.

Simon Goff, Managing Director, of First Bus South, 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.

‘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.’