Our industry is marking Armistice Day and the wider Remembrance period with various initiatives and activities over 10 and 11 November.

Here are a few examples:

Free travel

Arriva is offering free bus travel to past and present members of the military on its buses on Sunday 10 November 2024.

Service personnel, both regular and reservists, veterans and cadets will be able to take advantage of free travel on Arriva services all day.

They will also have free travel on Armistice Day, Monday 11 November.

Cora Woodhouse, marketing and customer services director for Arriva, said: “We’re proud to offer free travel to all those who have served the country on our networks on Remembrance Sunday.

“We’re always keen to support this national event as it’s important to pay tribute to all those who’ve contributed to serving in the forces both in the past and right now. In fact, many of our employees used to be in the military and we know how important it is to them.”

First Bus is also offering free travel for all veterans and UK Armed Forces personnel travelling to Remembrance Day activities on Sunday 10 November and Monday 11 November.

Veterans and military personnel will get a free return journey by wearing their military uniform or showing the driver their Service ID card.

Simon Pearson, Chief Commercial Officer at First Bus, said: “Remembrance Sunday is an important and solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by so many in our Armed Forces. We have a number of veterans working for First Bus and we’re very proud of their efforts and sacrifice.

“This is our way of saying thank you to them, as well as honouring all men and women who choose to serve and protect the freedoms our country now takes for granted. We look forward to welcoming veterans and serving service men and women on board on these important dates.”

Laying a wreath

As part of its Remembrance Sunday tribute, Go North East’s ‘poppy bus’, adorned with poppies and the phrase ‘Remembering all who served, sacrificed and changed the world’, will take part in the Consett Remembrance Parade. Go North East driver, Alex Goldsmith, will lay a wreath on behalf of the company at the cenotaph.

Go North East is also marking Remembrance Sunday on 10 November by offering free travel on all services for veterans and current members of the armed forces. This initiative honours the sacrifices made by service personnel, particularly those veterans now serving their communities as part of the Go North East team.

Many former military personnel play vital roles across the company, and their transition from military to public service is central to Go North East’s Remembrance Day tribute. Among them are four employees whose dedication continues to inspire their work in the bus industry.

Peter Gibson, a former member of the King’s Own Royal Border Regiment who served in Northern Ireland, the Falklands, and Bosnia, has been with Go North East for 20 years as a Bus Station Supervisor in Sunderland.

Peter said: “I’m proud to have served my country in the military, and now I’m just as proud to serve the people of this region. It means a lot to be appreciated as a veteran by the public, and the free travel initiative this weekend is a great way to show that support.”

Moment of silence

At 11am on 10 November, Oxford Bus Company is to allow drivers to pull into the nearest bus stop to participate in a two-minute silence. Due to parades and events taking place in various cities, towns and villages across the network, the company is warning that there may be diversions or congestion on some routes for part of the day.

Oxford Bus Group is also offering free travel to all veterans and UK military personnel attending Remembrance Day activities on 10 November. The free travel is available on Oxford Bus Company, Thames Travel, Carousel Buses and Pulhams bus services. The offer applies to anyone who is in military uniform, including cadets, who can show their service ID, a veteran’s badge or service medals.

Poppy buses

Buses festooned with poppy graphics and Remembrance Day imagery on destinations displays are also part of the industry’s efforts.

Stagecoach is among the operators doing this and the operator is also to provide free travel on all its bus services across the UK for serving military, cadets and veterans on 10 and 11 November in honour of Remembrance Weekend.

Claire Miles, Stagecoach Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are incredibly proud to employ thousands of veterans, and it’s a privilege to honour the bravery and dedication of our Armed Forces, cadets, and veterans by offering free travel during Remembrance Weekend.

“This initiative underscores our commitment to supporting those who serve or have served our country, along with the families and communities who support them.”

Poppy coaches too

It is not just the bus industry getting involved with the Remembrance events. National Express has decorated some of its coaches in poppy iconography.

2024 marks the 11th year that National Express has supported the Royal British Legion and over the last decade its customers and colleagues have raised £96,000 for the charity. It hopes to achieve the £100,000 mark before the end of this year.

Alex Jensen, National Express CEO UK, Ireland & Germany, said: “We’re proud to support the Armed Forces and we recognise the significant contribution they make to our country. Offering free bus travel on Remembrance Sunday for those who are either poppy collecting or wearing their uniform is our small way of saying thank you to those who have provided and continue to provide an invaluable service to our country.”