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Mind the Gap – Local Bus Operator Calls for Action to Raise Profile of Free Bus Passes to Combat Loneliness

Stagecoach said 34% of eligible people have not claimed a free concessionary pass and urged operators to close the awareness gap.

  • During Catch the Bus Month, Stagecoach Midlands Managing Director Mark Whitelocks urged operators to promote free bus passes after research revealed that 34% of eligible individuals have not claimed their concessionary travel.
  • Research by Age emphasizes the urgency, revealing that around 940,000 older people experience chronic loneliness, while roughly 270,000 people in England endure an entire week without speaking to friends or family.
  • Operators must close the "knowledge gap" preventing eligible people from accessing free travel, with Stagecoach Midlands and Stagecoach East Midlands now issuing regular advice to increase awareness.
  • Whitelocks stated that buses play a fundamental role in breaking the isolation cycle, providing access to shops, medical appointments, and opportunities for social connection.
  • As Catch the Bus Month continues, the industry faces calls to better appreciate the scale of isolation and ensure eligible residents confidently secure their free concessionary bus passes.
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Wilts & Gloucestershire StandardWilts & Gloucestershire Standard
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Stagecoach urges eligible people to claim free bus passes to tackle loneliness

A bus operator is calling for greater awareness of free bus passes to help tackle loneliness and improve social connections

·Stroud, United Kingdom
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Worksop Guardian broke the news in Worksop, United Kingdom on Friday, September 25, 2026.
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