Reduced bus services could increase loneliness and isolation amongst older people, warns Age Cymru

Welsh government, local authorities, and bus operators need to work together to develop sustainable services

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Age Cymru is calling on the Welsh government, local authorities, and bus operators to work together to develop sustainable services for communities across Wales.

Amid reports from the Confederation of Public Transport that Wales could lose up to a quarter of its services, the charity is warning that bus services provide a lifeline to thousands of older people and if they are drastically cut, many could find themselves plunged into a life of isolation and loneliness. 

Older people need a reliable bus service to connect to essential health services such as hospital appointments or visiting their GP.  Many also rely upon their bus service to buy food, access cash, and pay their bills.

But of course, many older people use their local bus service so they can socialise, particularly with family and friends.  They also enable older people to engage with their communities and attend places such as day centres, lunch clubs, and places of worship.  Activities that are crucial to help people combat isolation and loneliness and, at the same time, gather important advice and information. 

Car ownership is not an option for many older people and taxis can be prohibitively expensive, so together with community transport, the bus service provides a crucial lifeline for many. 

Age Cymru chief executive Victoria Lloyd says “The impact of poor public transport on the lives of older people can be profound. It increases isolation and loneliness and reduces opportunities to socialise or join groups and activities, which is particularly important after the isolation of Covid-19 which has disproportionally affected older people. 

“We want operators, local authorities, and the Welsh Government to work together to find a sustainable solution to ensure that people can go about their daily lives getting out and about in the community. Older people are some of those most impacted by the cuts to public bus services; their needs should be considered, and their voices heard in any decisions that are taken.”

For information on a wide range of issues relating to older people visit our website www.agecymru.org.uk or call 029 2043 1555

Quotes from older people

Some people told us how services they once relied on have now been cut leaving them isolated and unable to access their community:

“Bus services have been cut since I moved here. I had a two-minute walk to catch a bus that took me into town in 12 minutes. Now that bus has been cut altogether. With walking problems this limits travel considerably.”

Others struggle to attend essential health care appointments due to the lack of available public buses: 

“I don't know how to get to my hospital appointments because I no longer drive, and there are only two buses from my village a day”

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