Industry supporting Armed Forces Day

Operators are supporting Armed Forces Day on Sunday 29 June, a national event to support the Armed Forces community.

Arriva is once again offering free travel for military and ex-military personnel on the Day. The commitment to free travel for the Armed Forces is supported by the many Arriva employees who have served in the military in the past. One of those is Colin Stewart, who used to be a Tank Commander, but is now Operations Supervisor for Arriva at the Runcorn depot. Colin served for 24 years he was in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. Originally from Edinburgh, the 49-year-old took part in tours of duty in Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia and Kosovo.

Now, he is the Widnes British Legion Branch Chairman, a role which allows him to help veterans that need assistance with day-to-day problems.

He said that working for Arriva allows him to use all his skills and experience as serviceman to make things better for passengers.

“Armed forces personnel can offer vast amounts of experience and have transferable skills” – Colin Stewart, Operations Supervisor

He said: “I find that the armed force community is sometimes forgotten about. We still have serving soldiers all over the world doing difference tasks, which often entails soldiers being away from home for long periods of time.

“We need to support them when they come back to allow them to be integrated into civilian life. Armed forces personnel can offer vast amounts of experience and have transferable skills.”

Stagecoach is to offer free travel to the Armed Forces community on Armed Forces Day. The offer will be for use on its bus and tram services across the UK, but not on the megabus, TfL or the Bee Network in Manchester. the offer is open from 29 to 30 June.

Stagecoach also offers free bus travel every year for veterans and military personnel on Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday.

The commitment to free travel for the Armed Forces is supported by Stagecoach’s employee led Veterans Network. The network was launched to allow Stagecoach colleagues to come together as one voice to make change, raise awareness, help influence business decisions and introduce new ways of working to make the company even stronger.

Stagecoach has also been a member of the Armed Force Covenant since March 2015, recognising the value of serving personnel, regular and reservists, veterans and military families to both the country and businesses across the country.

“We are extremely proud and honoured to confirm free travel for all serving personnel, veterans and cadets on the 29 and 30 June throughout the UK” – Simon Tramalloni, Interim Operations Director for Stagecoach Merseyside, Cheshire & South Lancashire and Armed Forces & Veterans Co-Lead

Simon Tramalloni, Interim Operations Director for Stagecoach Merseyside, Cheshire & South Lancashire and Armed Forces & Veterans Co-Lead, said: “We are extremely proud and honoured to confirm free travel for all serving personnel, veterans and cadets on the 29 and 30 June throughout the UK. This is our ongoing commitment to the wider armed forces community and a privilege to honour those serving personnel, veterans, cadets and their families this is the least we could do to honour those that serve and represent the armed forces community.”

The Go-Ahead-owned operator not only supports veterans through free travel initiatives but also by providing excellent career opportunities. Many veterans are employed at Go North East and are a valuable asset.

Peter Gibson, GNE Bus Station Supervisor and former Infantry Signaller in the British Army, said: “I’ve been at Go North East for 20 years now. I really like the structure that this career gives me. The free travel initiative will be warmly received this Saturday.”

First Bus is to offer free bus travel to any serving personnel, cadets and veterans travelling to an organised event during Armed Forces Day.

Available locally across its bus network, anyone wearing the uniforms of the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Marines, Royal Air Force and any associated cadet force, will be able to board the bus for free, while free travel is also granted if a person is in possession of a current Ministry of Defence issued card, with their branch of military stated. First Bus has strong links to the Armed Forces with a number of employees throughout the business having served in the military.

A spokesperson at First Bus said: “This is an important occasion for many people who want to remember family, friends and others who have been lost in military service.

“We have several veterans working for First Bus across our businesses 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.”