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

• Over a third of eligible people have not applied for a pass
• 940,000 older people experience chronic or frequent loneliness
• Operators must do more to raise awareness of free concessionary bus passes

Local bus operator, Stagecoach East Midlands, has called for more to be done to close the “knowledge gap” that is preventing entitled people from getting their free bus passes.

As part of Catch the Bus Month, Matt Cranwell, Managing Director of Stagecoach East Midlands, has called on operators to promote the availability of free bus passes, after Stagecoach’s own research showed that over a third (34%) of people eligible for a free concessionary bus pass have not even claimed theirs.

Stagecoach is now putting out regular advice aimed at increasing awareness of the free pass. If you have reached state pension age or have a certain disability, you may be eligible for a concessionary bus pass from your local council, free of charge. This is a bus pass that allows concessionary travel on most buses for free.

Matt said: “We know what a crucial role buses play in giving people vital connections to friends, services and wider society, and combatting the epidemic of isolation that impacts upon so many people.

“I think that the industry needs to do more to appreciate the scale of the problem and encourage people to make use of their free bus passes. After all, research by Age UK shows that around 940,000 older people experience chronic or frequent loneliness, and roughly 270,000 people in England go an entire week without speaking to a single friend or family member.

“The bus can play an absolutely fundamental role in breaking this cycle, whether by a friendly hello from the driver or a chat with the other passengers, or simply being able to get to the shops, days out with friends, or medical appointments. It is our responsibility, as operators, to make sure that people know they can get on a bus for free, and feel confident to do that.”

Catch the Bus Month, which runs throughout September, aims to highlight the role that buses play in local transport and society.

-- To find out more about whether you are eligible for a free bus pass, go to https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/national/concessionary-travel.

-ENDS-

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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 everyday 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.