Transportation
Are London's Public Buses the New Prozac?
Taking the bus makes people feel more social and less lonely, researchers say.
Is there a way to grind up London's buses and put the powder into swallowable tablets? The health mojo of these vehicles seems impressive, with research indicating they benefit hoary ol' gadges and school-age juvies alike.
First came a 2012 study suggesting that people over age 60 who ride the buses for no cost (via the Freedom Pass) have commendable mental health. And that wasn't just because people love free things, the researchers wrote in Ageing & Society: "Travelling by bus provided opportunities for meaningful social interaction; travelling as part of the ‘general public’ provided a sense of belonging and visibility in the public arena – a socially acceptable way of tackling chronic loneliness."