Funding has today been awarded to 12 organisations across England with the aim of understanding how transport can play a role in helping people who are feeling lonely.
Pilot projects receiving a share of £5m include support for older people using public transport after the pandemic, autism awareness training for staff across the transport network and a group electric cycling scheme.
Findings from the pilots will be used to inform how future transport schemes can contribute to reducing loneliness in communities.
Minister Baroness Vere said: “Loneliness affects millions of people across the UK. Transport can help us solve this problem by connecting us to people, places and experiences.
“Congratulations to the organisations that secured funding for their proposals. This is a great opportunity to improve future transport schemes and shape the national conversation on loneliness.
“We will continue to work closely with transport providers and community groups to build an inclusive and accessible transport network.”
One of the pilots, Age UK’s Travelling Companions scheme, will involve volunteers across England encouraging and supporting older people to use public transport again after a prolonged period of enforced isolation caused by the pandemic.
What’s more, National Autistic Society’s Driving Change for Autistic People project will offer training to transport providers across England, with the aim of ensuring staff have an increased understanding of autism, which in turn could help remove barriers for autistic people who wish to use public transport to reduce their loneliness.
