Some bus passengers hate it if someone sits next to them and fancies a chat.

But for passengers in Dereham the reverse has been true thanks to a chatty bus scheme.

A statistic has shown that one in three people intentionally use public transport to experience some form of interaction. 

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This is why Go East Anglia brought back the Chatty Bus for its Konectbus route from Dereham to Norwich for a day.

On Wednesday, May 15, the Chatty Bus returned to Dereham to tackle loneliness and isolation in light of Mental Health Awareness Week.

Fakenham & Wells Times: The launch day of the travelling Chatty Bus highlighted the importance of community.The launch day of the travelling Chatty Bus highlighted the importance of community. (Image: Davina Langley)Workers for the initiative, known as "Chatty Bus Champions" boarded buses at town and city bus stops across the region and chatted to passengers, supporting the positive impact that conversation has on mental health.

Katherine Voyce, marketing executive for Go East Anglia, said the event was a huge success.

She said: "We had a range of conversations with passengers, some of whom were reluctant to open up at first, but in the end, really benefitted from the opportunity to have a conversation with a stranger."

Fakenham & Wells Times: Many travellers shared that the £2 single fare scheme of bus travel is a lifeline.Many travellers shared that the £2 single fare scheme of bus travel is a lifeline. (Image: Davina Langley)
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Davina Langley, head of commercial and marketing, said that the initiative aligns with mental health awareness week's theme, movement, and serves as "a great excuse to get out and about."