A HAMPSHIRE pensioner is taking action to combat loneliness, by getting people on the bus.

Judy Walker, a 79-year-old grandmother from Totton is organising for groups of pensioners to make the most of their free bus passes by joining her for organised outings on buses.

She hopes that as well as getting them out of the house and giving them a chance to make friends on the trips, this will also help to boost people's confidence with using the bus for outings themselves in the future.

The outings, which Judy organises through the Totton South University of the Third Age and her local GP surgery, have taken in trips to the Winchester Hat Fair, the Isle of Wight, Hamble Food Festival and the Romsey Beggars Fair, amongst others.

Judy fell in love with bus travel herself when she won a competition in the Echo in 1999 to name a new bus, with the prize of a year's free bus travel.

"I used it as much as possible, and then had withdrawal symptoms when it ran out so I bought myself a pass which was a lot of money, more than £500," says Judy.

"Then we got our free bus basses."

Judy went on to become a bus route correspondent for the Echo, writing up her trips with the hope of inspiring others to try them.

"I love exploring," she says.

"I can't go on exotic holidays as I can't leave my husband, who is 90 and not in very good health, but I can do day trips.

"I've made a lot of friends on buses and I think more people could do it."

Judy does the research and plans the routes for her group trips.

"I hope it gets people used to using their bus passes and increases their confidence," she says.

"A lot of people don't have the get up and go to go out alone on local buses.

"On a recent trip, a man said 'now we know how to do it, we don't need you anymore'," she laughs.

Judy wants to get the message out about pensioners bus pass groups, which she believes offer a partial solution to the problem of loneliness in older people.

She has been emailing MPs and even the Prime Minister and hope to encourage more people to set up groups.

"They provide a focal point for people to get together and perhaps create new friendships," she says.

"A couple of women came on one of the trips and made friends with each other and have been out together lots since, so that's two people who are no longer lonely.

"Other benefits include being able to view the scenery which one cannot do whilst driving, having no need to find a parking space or worry about petrol costs.

"It would also result in less pollution and less congestion on the roads if more people switched from cars and to busses.

"Various agencies are asking members of the public to invite lonely old people for tea and cake," she adds.

"My idea offers a chance of a whole day out.

"I hope that some pensioners will be inspired to form their own groups, so that they can enjoy the pleasure of bus travel with others, fostering greater enjoyment of life."