A number of operators this year have supported the Poppy Appeal with themed liveries and travel deals. Jade Smith looks at a selection of them
Since 1921, The Royal British Legion (RBL) has been organising Remembrance events for The Poppy Appeal, to commemorate the fallen Service men and women killed in conflict.
Money raised goes directly to RBL’s welfare work providing support to anyone serving in the British Armed Forces, anyone who has previously served and their families.
Typically, bus and coach operators around the UK have held charitable events, designed striking liveries or offered promotional tickets to help raise funds for the noble cause. What follows is a selection of this year’s offering.[wlm_nonmember][…]
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Arriva North East & Yorkshire
Arriva North East and Yorkshire (ANEY) is proud to be supporting the Poppy Appeal again this year with 12 specially-designed ‘Poppy Buses’ running across the regions to mark Remembrance Day. Following great feedback last year from the RBL and passengers, where each region had one Poppy Bus, ANEY has rolled out one newly designed poppy bus to every depot in the region to help support the cause.
The vehicles feature giant poppies and dedicated artwork supporting RBL on the outside and inside of the bus. The artwork has been created with the support of Logoshack and Exterion Media.
ANEY has further lent its support for the cause by transporting service personnel to Remembrance events across the region. On the November 2, soldiers from Catterick Garrison were transported to Leeds Poppy Day by Arriva Yorkshire – and Arriva North East performed a similar service for soldiers to an event in Stockton on November 7.
EYMS
East Yorkshire Motor Service’s (EYMS) well-known ‘Poppy Bus’, a Plaxton President-bodied Volvo B7TL first decorated to celebrate the centenary of the start of the First World War in 2014, was re-liveried again earlier this year to mark 100 years since Passchendaele, also known as the second Battle of Ypres, which took place between July and November 1917.
EYMS Chief Executive, Peter Shipp, said: “The bus was so well-received when it first appeared to mark 100 years since the beginning of the First World War that each year since then we have redesigned it to mark another poignant anniversary – firstly VE Day in 1945 and last year the Battle of the Somme which took place in 1916.
“Having thought hard about what would be most appropriate for this year, we chose Passchendaele which was another long battle in the First World War when again many lives were lost.
“I hope it will have some significance for those who lost friends and relatives in that battle including those from the Hull and East Riding area.”
As before, the new livery was designed by the company’s in-house design studio and the new vinyls were applied in the EYMS main workshops at Anlaby Road in Hull.
The EYMS Hull Heritage Bus, 764, also features a special interchangeable airbrushed panel which is currently showing ‘Lest We Forget’ artwork. This was designed and created by Keith Holmes, who works in EYMS’s paint shop, who is a talented airbrush artist.
London
In keeping with TfL tradition, seven London buses have been wrapped in distinctive Poppy Livery, which will be out on capital’s roads during the Remembrance period until November 12.
The seven Poppy wrapped buses can be seen on bus routes 8 (Stagecoach), 10 (London United),12 (London Central), 60 (Arriva London), 179 (Stagecoach), 211 (Abellio London) and 221 (Arriva London) October. TfL said bus operators kindly met the costs of wrapping the buses in the special vinyls.
This year 48 members of the London Transport Old Comrades Association, led by retired bus driver, Barry Osborne, will take part in the annual Remembrance Sunday parade to the Cenotaph in honour of the 4,500 transport workers who died in the two World Wars and other conflicts.
Barry served in the Royal Signals from 1969 to 1974, with the BAOR (British Army Of the Rhine) UK and N. Ireland and joined London Transport in 1974 as a bus driver based at Hackney Well St, Ash Grove and Barking.
Since November 2008, war veterans have been able to travel on the TfL network for free with a Veterans Oyster Photocard as part of the Mayor’s voluntary concessionary travel scheme.
Lothian Buses
Lothian unveiled its annual Lothian ‘Poppy Bus’ on October 30, at the opening of the 2017 Remembrance Garden in Princes Street Gardens.
This year’s high impact design takes a modern turn featuring a creative of cascading bright red poppies set against an all-white background. The Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini 3 will run on various routes throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians during November.
To mark the occasion, Lothian invited former service personnel who now work for the company to attend the launch.
Gordon Michie, Head of Fundraising at Poppyscotland, said: “We are delighted to once again have such extensive and visible support from Lothian Buses. The bus wrap is stunning and it is extremely heartening to see every single bus in and around Edinburgh displaying poppies. As the fleet travels many miles over the coming fortnight, we hope it will encourage and inspire the public to go the ‘#ExtraMile’ in their support of this year’s Scottish Poppy Appeal.”
As well as the specially created ‘Poppy Bus’, each vehicle in the Lothian fleet, including East Coast Buses, Lothian Country and Edinburgh Bus Tours, will be decorated with an individual poppy vinyl to show the operator’s partnership with Poppyscotland and support of the campaign. Lothian Buses will also fundraise internally with poppies and pins, and staff will be able to place wooden crosses in the Lothian area of the Remembrance Garden.
Gaynor Marshall, Lothian’s Communication Director, said: “Edinburgh and the Lothians have a long-standing special relationship with our armed forces and Lothian has many former military personnel working across our business in a range of different roles.
“Poppyscotland’s annual fundraising appeal is very close to our hearts and is important to our staff and to our customers, which is why we make a particular effort every year to recognise and honour the armed forces. We hope that our Poppy Bus will once again be popular with the residents and visitors of the city and prove to be a fitting tribute for those who have given service to our country.”
The theme of this year’s Scottish Poppy Appeal is ‘#ExtraMile.’ While tin donations remain important to help fund Poppyscotland’s work, the charity is encouraging supporters to go the ‘#ExtraMile’ in their fundraising for this year’s appeal. To do this they have been sharing the stories of some of their fundraisers and Poppyscotland hopes this will inspire others to do the same, whether that be a bungee jump or a bake sale.
Network Warrington
Network Warrington (NW) staff showed their support to the RBL and the Poppy Appeal by selling poppies in the town centre over the weekend of November 4-5.
Thirty buses have been adorned with poppies to complement NW’s existing, iconic-liveried poppy bus, all of which will be operating throughout the network in the run up to Remembrance Sunday.
Alongside this, on Saturday, November 4, a group of NW staff including drivers, service managers and MD Ben Wakerley, collected donations and sold poppies in the interchange and Golden Square.
Ben said: “NW has been a long-standing supporter of the RBL and the important work it does, but I’m particularly pleased that this year we have recruited some of our staff to volunteer and sell poppies.
“One of our drivers, Vincent Hawthorn, suggested we should proactively support the Poppy Appeal and I’m pleased to see colleagues playing their part.”
NCT
Nottingham City Transport (NCT) has unveiled its ‘Sean Upton’ bus as this year’s Poppy Bus to commemorate Remembrance Day and support the Royal British Legion’s annual Poppy Appeal.
It was 2013 when the operator named its bus after Warrant Officer Sean Upton of the 5th Regiment Royal Artillery, who died in an explosion while he was on foot patrol in the Sangin district of Helmand Province in July 2009.
Originally from Beeston Rylands, Sean’s dad, Jack Upton, was also a driver for NCT for 36 years before he retired in 2012, and it was his former colleagues who suggested naming NCT’s special Armed Forces Day bus after his son.
This will be the fourth consecutive year that NCT has created a ‘Poppy Bus’ aimed at reminding people to buy their poppies and to support service personnel and their families.
“With the RBL asking the nation to rethink remembrance this year and recognise the sacrifices from today’s generation of Armed Forces too, it’s only fitting that this year’s Poppy Bus should be the bus named after a local hero who is closely connected to NCT and made the ultimate sacrifice for his country,” said NCT Marketing Manager, Anthony Carver-Smith. “This is a hugely important appeal and we are honoured to continue our support in this way.”
The Sean Upton Poppy Bus will be operating various NCT routes in and around the city over the next few months and NCT will also be having collection boxes at its main sites.
“Each year, our Poppy Bus acts as a strong visual reminder of the sacrifices so many have made during times of conflict, and we hope we play a small part in helping to raise much-needed funds for this worthy cause,” added Anthony.
NCT said it is proud to support the Armed Forces and was awarded the Armed Forces Covenant in recognition of the company’s year round support, from assisting the employment of veterans and their partners and accommodating the training and deployment of serving personnel employed by NCT, to allowing time off to train and serve in the Territorial Army, as well as supporting the work of local cadet units.
Southern Vectis
Go-Ahead-owned Southern Vectis teamed up with Hovertravel to welcome a group from the Association of Wrens to the Isle of Wight for a poppy event in the run-up to Armistice Day.
The bus operator met the visitors and provided onward travel, allowing the Wrens to be the first to lay poppies at monuments across the Isle of Wight.
Formed in 1920, the Association of Wrens (Women of the Royal Naval Services) is still relevant today – providing an opportunity for those who wish to keep in touch with friends and colleagues from service days. More than 5,500 women members from both the UK and overseas share a unique camaraderie, based on their determination that the spirit of the service is kept alive.
“We were delighted to provide transport for these very special visitors, to help them pay their respects at the Island’s war memorials,” said Southern Vectis General Manager, Richard Tyldsley.
“They travelled in style on our newest bus, and we were honoured to accept an extra large poppy from them, which we are now proudly displaying on the front of the vehicle.
“I know our driver was honoured to drive our extraordinary passengers as they completed their journey here, and I hope they experienced a thoroughly memorable day.”
Stagecoach Merseyside, Chester and South Lancashire
Stagecoach Merseyside, Chester and South Lancashire (MCSL) is supporting military personnel past and present this Remembrance Sunday (November 12).
This year as part of the Stagecoach’s activities to commemorate the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women in the two World Wars and later conflicts, it will be placing a poppy on each of its 400 buses across Merseyside, Cheshire and South Lancashire.
On Remembrance Sunday Stagecoach MCSL will also be offering free travel to armed forces personnel carrying a military ID card and to veterans wearing the veteran’s badge.
In addition a contribution has been made to the RBL, enabling all drivers who choose to wear a poppy to do so, and posters on the buses will encourage passengers to text to donate to the Poppy Appeal.
The company’s specially created poppy bus, an ADL Enviro400, helped launch the RBL’s Poppy Appeal in Chester and Liverpool last month and will provide transport to veterans and dignitaries in Leyland, Lancashire on Remembrance Sunday.
Rob Jones, MD at Stagecoach MCSL, said: “Once again, we are proud to be supporting Remembrance Sunday. Through our support we hope we can send a clear message to our Armed Forces communities in that we appreciate and recognise the commitment they have made to our country over the years.”
Stagecoach Group signed the Ministry of Defence’s Armed Forces Corporate Covenant in support of the Armed Forces Community in 2017. As a signatory of the Covenant, the company recognises the value serving personnel; regular and reservists, veterans and military families contribute to both the country and businesses across the country.
Remembrance Sunday is a day for the nation to remember and honour those who have sacrificed themselves to secure and protect our freedom.
With Remembrance services planned at memorials across the region, it is hoped that personnel wishing to pay their respects will take up the offer to travel to the service of their choice for free.
Stagecoach North Scotland & South West
Two other Stagecoach operating companies are also are also supporting military personnel past and present this Remembrance Sunday. Stagecoach North Scotland and Stagecoach South West have placed a poppy on buses across Devon, Aberdeenshire, Moray and the Highlands. A contribution has also been made to the RBL, enabling all drivers who choose to wear a poppy to do so.
On Remembrance Sunday the operators will also be offering free travel to armed forces personnel carrying a military ID card and to veterans wearing the veteran’s badge.
Trent Barton and Kinchbus
Wellgade-owned Trent Barton and Kitchbus will show their support for the men and women who have served their country with around 200 of their buses and coaches proudly wearing a poppy in the run up to Remembrance Day.
To mark Trent Barton’s donation of £800 to the RBL’s annual Poppy Appeal, a bus and driver met members of the legion’s Ilkeston branch at Ilkeston Market Place. A bus and driver from Kinchbus also met members of the Legion’s at the war memorial in Cossington.
Driver Jon Hickman represented Trent Barton. He served in the Army from 1988 to 1993 as an infantryman, including tours of duty in Northern Ireland, the Falklands and Cyprus.
Jon, who joined Trent Barton six years ago, said: “I wear a poppy every day – I have two poppy tattoos. Having a poppy on the bus means a lot to me. Remembrance Day is a sombre day but I also remember the good times I had in the Army.”
Jon, who lives in Beeston and drives the skylink route, added: “Quite a few of our drivers have served, and not just in the Army but in the Navy and the RAF too.”
Kinchbus Team Leader Kevin Cubitt represented Kinchbus – he served in the Army for more than a decade. The former tank crewman was in Northern Ireland for six years during his service from 1974 to 1986.
Kevin said: “The Poppy Appeal is very close to my heart and I’m always pleased to be able to do my part in supporting it.
“A few of our drivers have served and I’m proud that Kinchbus supports the Legion by backing the Poppy Appeal.”
The poppies – a symbol of remembrance for more than 90 years – will be given pride of place on the front of 14 buses running on Skylink and Kinchbus 9 and on several Trent Barton routes from November 1, including: Red Arrow; The Mickleover; The Villager; Spondon Flyer; Skylink Nottingham; Indigo; The Nines; and Calverton Connection.
Jordan Kemp, Marketing and Communications Manager at Trent Barton, said: “The Poppy Appeal plays a key role helping people and organisations to remember the sacrifices made by members of the British armed forces, past and present.
“The Appeal also raises substantial sums of money which the RBL puts to excellent use for members of the Armed Forces community.
“Our drivers and buses are key parts of local communities across the East Midlands, many of our team members are ex-service personnel, so Trent Barton is pleased to show our support and remembrance.”
Alex Kerr, General Manager at Kinchbus, said: “We always get a fantastic response from our team and customers when the poppies go on the buses.
“We’re a local company so our customers are at the heart of everything we do and we’re pleased that we can do our bit to help remember those that served.”
Brian Brown, a local community support officer for RBL, said: “The RBL is asking the nation to rethink Remembrance by recognising the sacrifices made by the Armed Forces community, past and present.
“By wearing a poppy, you aren’t just remembering the fallen: you’re supporting a new generation of veterans and service personnel that need our support. We’re pleased that a local company, like Trent Barton, which has a presence in a lot of our communities, is backing the Poppy Appeal and helping to raise awareness.”[/wlm_ismember]
