Travel company aims to combat loneliness through Friendship Bus

MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) – Have you experienced loneliness?

If so, you’re not alone.

This weekend- a new initiative aims to combat the loneliness epidemic.

The Friendship Bus has been traveling from city to city – trying to foster connection.

Over the past two weeks, the bus has traveled from Chicago, DC, Philly, and now New York, inviting people to get to know each other through a series of questions. On Friday, it was in Times Square, and on Saturday, it will be in Central Park.

Lee Thompson co-founded Flash Pack , the travel company behind the bus that pairs solo travelers together.

“Trying to get people to remember the art of conversation and to try and build friendship because the quality of your connections is the single most important thing for our mental health. Fact. It’s how you live longer,” Thompson said.

He added, “This bus is necessary because people in busy cities—especially New York but also places like London—don’t talk to anyone anymore. We all have someplace to be; we’re all focused on our careers and trying to make it in a city like New York, and we’ve neglected friendships.”

According to a 2023 report by the US Surgeon General , about half of adults across the country have reported experiencing loneliness.

Alita Moses visited the bus on Friday. She was paired with Claire Parker.

The women found they had many things in common.

They say events like these are so crucial in New York.

“It’s a great concept to bring people together, and you never know who you’re going to meet,” Alita Moses said.

“It was a good reminder to me that there are so many people out there you can have a friendship with; you just have to say hello,” Claire Parker added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.