TfL brings back ‘Chatty Cabins’ with free rides and hot drinks this June

Transport for London (TfL) has announced the return of its popular ‘Chatty Cabins’ on the IFS Cloud Cable Car in east London, marking the start of Loneliness Awareness Week 2025.

The initiative, which invites Londoners and visitors to strike up a conversation with someone new during a 20-minute round trip across the Thames, first launched in February and was fully booked. It’s now back from Monday 9 to Friday 13 June as part of a citywide effort to reduce the stigma surrounding loneliness.

Each cabin ride will feature conversation prompts developed by TfL, encouraging participants to share stories about their favourite moments in London. The free ticket also includes a hot drink and a return trip between Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks.

Deputy Mayor for Transport, Seb Dance, said: “I’m thrilled TfL’s brilliant Chatty Cabins initiative is returning to the IFS Cloud Cable Car this month. It has already proven to be a fantastic way for Londoners and visitors to our city to meet others, and talk about what makes London so special. Our city will always be open and welcoming, and I encourage everyone to register for the free initiative as we build a better and more inclusive London for everyone.”

Trish Ashton, Director of Rail and Sponsored Services for TfL, added: “When we first launched Chatty Cabins in February, we were so pleased with the response to the initiative and how popular it was. The feedback has been fantastic with people telling us how much they enjoyed the experience, with many saying they would keep in touch with the people they had met for the first time.

“We can’t wait to relaunch the Chatty Cabins for Loneliness Awareness Week and we hope we can bring even more people together.”

The relaunch aligns with the Marmalade Trust’s Loneliness Awareness Week campaign, which runs from 9–13 June and seeks to normalise conversations about loneliness. TfL’s work supports the Mayor of London’s broader Strategy for Social Inclusion and builds on findings from its 2022 report, which suggested that around 700,000 people in the capital feel lonely ‘always’ or ‘most of the time’. Groups disproportionately affected include young people, single parents, and those from minority backgrounds.

Hannah Beatrice, Campaign Manager for Loneliness Awareness Week at Marmalade Trust, said: “We are all likely to experience loneliness, yet our brand-new research has told us that 61 per cent of people in the UK have never told anyone that they are feeling lonely.

“Loneliness is a natural human emotion, but people are hesitant to talk about it due to stigma. The flipside to loneliness is connection, so we’re excited to be partnering with Transport for London on their Chatty Cabins initiative to bring Londoners together.”

TfL is not the only transport operator getting involved. Arriva London and Keolis Amey have teamed up with local partners to host events along the London Overground and DLR networks. Activities will include daily gatherings at South Norwood Community Kitchen near Bethnal Green Overground station and sessions at the Togetherness Café in Stratford Library.

The Chatty Cabins run each morning from 10am to 12pm. Free tickets can be booked on Eventbrite: Chatty Cabins at IFS Cloud Cable Car – Loneliness Awareness Week.

For more information about Loneliness Awareness Week events, visit lonelinessawarenessweek.org/take-part.