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Lookup NU author(s): Luke Robertshaw, Professor Barbara HanrattyORCiD, Dr Jenny LiddleORCiD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
© 2025. Background: For many people, buses play a crucial role in connecting them with friends and family, and to opportunities such as employment, education, retail, leisure, and healthcare. During autumn 2023 sections of the North East region of England endured seven weeks without usual bus services due to industrial action. This study explores the impact of the loss of bus services on older adults living in the borough of Gateshead. Methods: Qualitative interviews with 15 older adults (aged 50–82 years) living in Gateshead explored their experiences of loss of bus services. Analysis of interview transcripts used an inductive approach to develop themes. Results: Four main themes were identified: a shrinking world, striking at the heart of life, an unequal impact, and buses as a lifeline. The loss of bus services meant people could not reach their usual range of destinations, travelled less often, and felt a sense of entrapment in their homes. They missed healthcare appointments, social interactions, and were restricted to more localised services. People experienced a loss of freedom, independence, and control over their lives. The impacts fell disproportionately on people with existing social or economic disadvantages. Conclusions: Older people described harmful consequences for their physical, mental, and social wellbeing. Impacts were unequally distributed and exacerbated underlying inequalities. Buses play a vital role in supporting health and wellbeing, enabling independence, and addressing inequalities. This research adds evidence for transport policymakers to support the social wellbeing case for improving public transport.
Author(s): Robertshaw L, Hanratty B, Musselwhite C, Liddle J
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Journal of Transport and Health
Year: 2025
Volume: 44
Print publication date: 01/10/2025
Online publication date: 17/06/2025
Acceptance date: 05/06/2025
Date deposited: 24/06/2025
ISSN (print): 2214-1405
ISSN (electronic): 2214-1413
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd
URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2025.102104
DOI: 10.1016/j.jth.2025.102104
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