GO NORTH EAST
Operators across the UK paid their respects on Remembrance Sunday
As is traditional for many coach and bus operators across the country, a significant number of which count military veterans among their workforce, companies large and small marked this year’s Remembrance Day celebrations with marks of respect and vehicles decorated with poppies.
2024 marked 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. In line with other large groups, the company offered free travel on Remembrance Day, Sunday 10 November, across its bus services in the West Midlands and Coventry for poppy collectors and uniformed personnel to attend services.
National Express UK, Ireland & Germany CEO Alex Jensen 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.”
The company is also a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant, which sees it support the Armed Forces community with career opportunities, as well as offering discounts for currently serving members of the Armed Forces, veterans and their family members when travelling on its coach and bus services. It also invited people travelling on its services to join in the two-minute silence as a mark of respect to those killed or injured in defence of their country.
Go North East
Go-Ahead Group company Go North East was another which offered free travel on all services for veterans and current members of the Armed Forces, and is another which recognises the vital role plated by former military personnel play across the company. Their transition from military to public service is central to Go North East’s Remembrance Day tribute, the company said, highlighting 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. He 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.”
For Andrew Heaps, a former RAF serviceman turned driver, Remembrance Day is deeply personal. “We must never forget the sacrifice of those who have served,” said Andrew.
Brian Thompson, a former Royal Regiment of Fusiliers member who served two tours in Iraq, now brings his leadership skills to Go North East as a driver and mentor. He said: “Being a mentor to new drivers gives me a sense of purpose and pride, just as I had in my military career. The free travel initiative is our gesture of appreciation.”
Relief Operations Supervisor in Sunderland and former First Light Infantry member Graeme Tatters served three tours in Iraq. “I love guiding new drivers and passing on the values I learned in the service,” he said.
As part of its Remembrance Sunday tribute, Go North East’s ‘poppy bus’ took part in the Consett Remembrance parade. Driver Alex Goldsmith laid a wreath on behalf of the company at the cenotaph. Business Director Ben Maxfield added: “We’re proud to have so many ex-service personnel on our team, and the free travel offer is just one way we show our gratitude.”
Stagecoach
Stagecoach is another passionate supporter of veterans and the Remembrance Day celebrations. The company once again provided free travel for serving military, cadets, and veterans on Sunday 10 and Monday 11 November, whilst its buses were decorated with poppy graphics as a symbol of remembrance and respect.
Stagecoach Chief Executive Officer Claire Miles 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 the 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.”
Stagecoach’s dedication to offering free travel for the Armed Forces is supported by its employee-led Veterans Network, which was established to unite its employees, giving them a platform to drive positive change, raise awareness, shape business decisions, and implement new initiatives that enhance the company. Stagecoach has also been a member of the Armed Forces Covenant, which recognises the value of serving personnel, regular and reservists, veterans and military families, since 2015.
Arriva
Arriva again joined the ranks of companies offering free travel to past and present members of the military on its buses on Sunday 10 November as well as on Armistice Day the following day.
The business has a close relationship with the service-people’s charity the Royal British Legion. Arriva’s Marketing & Customer Services Director Cora Woodhouse 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.”
As was the case for many operators, Arriva said that its drivers may also pull over to take part in a two-minute silence at 1100hrs Remembrance Day and Armistice Day, provided it was both safe and legal to do so.
London
Transport for London said that it was proud to march at London’s Remembrance Day parade, a tradition held since King George V granted it to the London General Omnibus Company in 1920. “Our history is marked by the bravery of transport workers who served on the front lines during both World Wars,” the organisation said. This year, its wreath layer was Baldev Sian, a Royal Navy veteran and TfL alum, who was joined by Parade Manager Robert Laird, a former Royal Engineer and TfL colleague, along with TfL Chief Operating Officer Claire Mann.
Operator Go-Ahead London also supported the appeal, with buses wrapped in special poppy colours on its routes 21, 132 and 453.
