Industry marks Remembrance Weekend
Up and down the UK, the bus and coach industry is marking Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday (11 and 12 November respectively).
First Bus in Sheffield has launched its poppy appeal bus in partnership with the Royal British Legion. The specially liveried double-decker was present at the beginning of the poppy appeal launch in Sheffield City Centre, in which the Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Colin Ross bought the first poppy.
On Remembrance Weekend (11 and 12 November), First Bus’s entire UK network will be offering free return journeys for all UK Armed Forces personnel and veterans, by wearing their military uniform or showing their Service ID card to the driver.
As part of Stagecoach’s ongoing commitment to support the Armed Forces, it has confirmed that free travel will be available on all its bus and tram services across the UK for military, cadets, and ex-military personnel this Remembrance Weekend.
Serving and former members of the military can travel for free on Metrolink and Bee Network bus services on both days of Remembrance. Those travelling into Manchester city centre this weekend are advised to plan their journeys in advance, as there are some planned road closures to accommodate Remembrance events.
Arriva is also offering free bus travel to past and present members of the military on its buses on Sunday. As a business, the operator has a close relationship with the service-people’s charity the Royal British Legion and many of its bus drivers used to work in the military.
In London, five buses have been wrapped with poppy designs. The buses are operated by RATP, Stagecoach, Abellio, Go-Ahead and Metroline and are driven on routes 6, 26, 40, 52, 94.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the London Transport Old Comrade Association. The group was first given the right to march by King George V in honour of the men of the London General Omnibus Company who drove buses to the front line in France from 1914 to 1918.
Most of Reading Buses’ fleet were displaying a poppy on their front in the run-up to Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday. The operator also provided free travel to all those in full uniform, displaying their medals or with a veteran’s badge on show when travelling on the two special days.
- Are you marking Remembrance Weekend? Let us know what you’re doing at [email protected]