Research shows local over-60's are "rediscovering freedom, fun and friendships"

• Local over-60’s say they are embracing a ‘second adolescence’
• 42% say free bus travel gives them the opportunity to visit family and friends
• 56% want to avoid the hassle and cost of parking

New research has revealed that local people over-60 are starting to embrace a ‘second adolescence’, with a greater range of interests available to them.

Matt Cranwell, Managing Director of Stagecoach East Midlands, said: “Our research shows that today’s over-60’s are now starting to rediscover old hobbies and reconnect with loved ones – all while leaving the car at home.”

The findings from Stagecoach, parent of local bus operator Stagecoach East Midlands, show that free bus travel is giving over-60’s the freedom, affordability and flexibility to make the most of their free time.

According to the research, today’s over-60’s have more time and energy than ever – and they’re channelling it into spending time with friends and family (28%), discovering new hobbies (22%) and reigniting passions from their youth (19%).

Free bus travel isn’t just about leisure, it’s also about strengthening communities and reducing isolation. The research reveals the societal impact free bus travel has on this generation – with 42% saying it gives them the opportunity to visit family and friends more often, over a third (36%) feeling more connected to their local community and more than one in five (22%) saying it’s helping them to discover new interests.

Nearly half (48%) of over-60’s say free bus travel allows them to leave the car at home more often and ditch the taxis altogether (25%). However, 5% are unaware they’re eligible for free travel.

Stagecoach is now encouraging all over-60’s to check their eligibility and claim their free ticket to embrace their ‘second adolescence’.

Debra Goodwin, Chief Customer Officer at Stagecoach, added: “It’s fantastic to see how much value over-60’s place on concessionary bus travel. From reconnecting with family and friends to rediscovering hobbies and cultural experiences, free travel is helping people make new memories and enjoy life to the fullest.”

-- To find out more about local bus routes and services, to buy before you board, and to track your local bus, you can download the Stagecoach Bus App from https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/national/stagecoachbusapp.

ENDS

Media enquiries: [email protected]

Notes to editors:

Survey conducted via:

OnePoll with 1,000 UK adults aged 60+, between 18th – 24th February 2025.

About Stagecoach

Founded in 1980, Stagecoach is the UK’s largest bus and coach operator, with a fleet of 8,300 vehicles connecting over 100 major towns and cities across England, Scotland, and Wales.

With 25,000 people in our team, we’re deeply rooted in the communities we serve. We know how important it is to stay connected to the people and places that matter – and we’re proud to play our part in helping make every day journey simpler, greener and more reliable. It’s all part of our promise: we’ve got you.

We work closely with partners to support greener, smarter, and more inclusive transport helping reduce congestion, cut emissions and boost local economies. More than 15% of our 8,300 strong fleet is now electric, and that number continues to grow as we invest in cleaner, more sustainable travel.

As part of our sustainability strategy, we’ve committed to supporting local communities by donating up to 0.5% of profit before tax each year to charitable causes across the UK.