Uhhh...
Wasn't this about a bunch of teenagers not even capable of small talk? I'm pretty sure she would've had a decent time if they weren't just staring at their phones like a bunch of zombies. I'm sure it can't beat cats, but let's be honest, nothing can. Except foxes. And bats. And goats. You get the idea.
Imagine this. You are sitting on the bus, totally chill. Empty seat next to you. Then. Someone sits next to you. It could be an old lady, a hot young girl or a big muscular guy (actually in this case, I sat next to him because a dirty bum sat near me). Are you going to awkwardly stare in front of you, pretending that this person next to you doesn't exist? Pretend like you aren't slightly annoyed at the fact that you have anywhere from 30% to 70% less space (depending on whether it's big muscular guy or hot young girl, old ladies can go either way)? No! Instead of awkwardly just staring in front of you, awkwardly make conversation. I mean, if I'm bored, the person nearest to me is going to be my victim. Sometimes willing, but they are either going to enjoy talking to me or suffer the consequences of sitting next to me.
Earbuds won't save someone. In fact, they are more likely to make me talk. I am not going to listen to someone elses crappy music, and if, by any chance, they are listening to awesome music, I'm going to talk to about that! I'm that guy on the bus that just won't shut up.