Stagecoach has unveiled a special Armed Forces Covenant bus, showing its support to those who have served and continue to serve. The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation ensuring that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces and their families are treated fairly. Over the summer, Stagecoach received a Bronze Employer Recognition Award from the covenant, showing that it is recognised as an employer which supports defence personnel and veterans.
The specially liveried bus is the first vehicle within Stagecoach to be solely branded in support of the Armed Forces Covenant. It will operate in the north west of England and also be used for special events throughout the year, including Remembrance Day and Armed Forces Day.
The branded bus, as well as Stagecoach’s pledge to give free travel to military and ex-military personnel on key dates, comes as a result of its recently established Veteran employee network. The network has been involved in numerous improvements and changes throughout the company such as revising its reservists policy to better support employees, attending Career Transition Partnership events and attracting service leavers direct from resettlement programmes.
Simon Tramalloni, Operations Manager and Co-Lead of Stagecoach’s Veterans Network said: “It gives me great pleasure and immense pride in how the company recognise those that have served our country with our Veterans group. As a network we have achieved so much in the last 12 months. The network allows like-minded individuals to share their stories and also talk in a safe place about any concerns or issues they may have.
“This newly branded bus is another clear message to people that we fully support our armed forces and have a place in our network for those thinking about joining Stagecoach or who are already working with us.
“This achievement is a credit to the determination and drive of our network and its members and we will continue with our commitment to all defence personnel and our Veterans with the aim of achieving Gold employer status in the next few years, and continue with our support for the armed forces and our colleague Veterans.”
Sam Berkson, National Account Manager for Defence Relationship Management said: “I’d like to thank Stagecoach for this public and very visible commitment to the armed forces community. It is clear that Stagecoach recognises the benefits of being a forces-friendly employer and I look forward to their continued support for defence and advocacy for its people.”
