A BUS company is encouraging people to climb on board and start talking.

The Chatty Bus will be in Brighton’s Churchill Square today with ambassadors on board distributing “happy to chat” badges to interested passengers and talking about how bus travel can help reduce social isolation and loneliness.

Brighton and Hove Buses is working with city community group Impetus to get people feeling more connected as part of the Campaign To End Loneliness.

Impetus volunteers will be on hand to discuss the services they provide which reduce social isolation.

These include befriending, advocacy and social prescribing, where the group links people to other community services and groups that improve health and wellbeing.

Brighton and Hove Buses managing director Martin Harris said: “There are so many situations where people may experience loneliness, whether that’s losing a loved one, becoming unemployed or starting university.

“Loneliness doesn’t discriminate.

“Catching a bus and having a conversation can help ease that feeling just a little bit, as well as linking people with their friends and family.

“Groups like Impetus do really valuable work in the community and we’re pleased to have them on board.”

Impetus chief executive Jo Crease said: “We are delighted to partner with Brighton and Hove Buses to support the Campaign To End Loneliness.

“We believe no one should be isolated in a city as active, vibrant and positive as ours, and we are inviting everyone to join our efforts to connect people to reduce isolation and improve health and

well-being in Brighton and Hove.”

The Chatty Bus will be parked at Stop D outside WHSmith between 10am and 2pm.

One third of Britons deliberately catch the bus to have some human contact.