Bee Network announces free travel all day for veterans on days of remembrance
Serving and former members of the military can travel for free all day on Bee Network buses and trams on both days of Remembrance this month.
The offer from Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) will be available on Remembrance Sunday (9 November) and Armistice Day (Tuesday11 November) as a gesture of thanks to war veterans and those currently serving in the Armed Forces.
Free travel is available on all Bee Network buses and Metrolink trams to veterans who carry their veterans’ badge or members of the Regular and Reserve Services carrying their MOD90 cards. Veteran Rail Cards will also be accepted, along with Defence Discount Service cards if they display the wording 'HM Armed Forces Veteran'.
Cadets travelling in uniform can also travel for free on trams and buses on both days. Members of the Armed Forces already get free off-peak travel as part of TfGM’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant – a promise to ensure that those who serve or who have served, and their families, are treated fairly.
Poppy wreaths will be carried on the Lancashire Fusiliers tram and a two minutes’ silence, with a pause in service, will be held at 11am on both Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day.
Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, said: “We take our commitment to the Armed Forces covenant very seriously in Greater Manchester and offer free travel for former and serving members of the forces on trams and Bee Network buses on both days of Remembrance this month.
“Our Armed Forces play a vital role in keeping us all safe and this is our small way of saying thank you to those who serve – and have served – their country.”
Danny Vaughan, Chief Network Officer at TfGM, said: “Remembrance events will be taking place across Greater Manchester as we mark Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day on November 9 and 11 respectively.
“There may be changes to your usual bus or tram service as a result, so we would encourage people to allow plenty of time to get to their destination, whether that’s in the city centre or elsewhere across the city-region.”
Passengers can check the Bee Network app and website to make sure they have the most up-to-date travel information and advice.
People travelling into Manchester city centre on Sunday 9 November are advised to plan their journeys in advance, as the annual service of remembrance will take place in St Peter's Square.
As a result, tram services through St Peter's Square will be suspended between 10am and 1pm and many buses will also be on diversion in the city centre and across the region whilst Remembrance services take place.