Rail industry announces free train travel for veterans on Remembrance
Train companies are offering free travel for veterans attending Remembrance services.
Rail travel will be free for serving military personnel and veterans attending services on the weekends of November 2-3 and 9-10 to honour the role the rail industry played in the World Wars.
Jacqueline Starr, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, said: “The railway has always been closely connected to Remembrance commemorations, with so many rail workers having given their lives during the two World Wars.
“As an industry, we are proud to continue helping people to mark this important national occasion by once again offering free travel to our serving personnel and veterans across the country.”
Transport secretary Louise Haigh added: “It’s only right that the rail industry, which played its own part in our nation’s war effort, marks Remembrance Day by paying tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and those who continue to protect our country.”
Veterans travelling on these dates will need to show a Veterans Railcard, Veterans Oyster card, MOD-issued Veterans ID or another appropriate proof of service.
The offer also applies to serving military personnel in uniform or in possession of a current MOD90 Ministry of Defence-issued identity card.
Poppy Appeal collectors will also be eligible to access free rail travel to The Royal British Legion’s London Poppy Day on October 31.
Director of the Poppy Appeal at the RBL Lucy Inskip said: "The RBL is immensely grateful that British train companies continue to recognise the significance of Remembrance and offer free transport for veterans and service personnel to attend the commemorations that mean so much to them.
“It is also a huge benefit that our dedicated volunteers can travel for free on London Poppy Day, allowing our Armed Forces community to support, collect and commemorate without worrying about additional personal cost.”
The offer is open to the Submariners’ Remembrance Service in London (November 3), the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph (November 10) and all other services taking place nationwide on November 10.
Travel is permitted to any London Terminal station either on the day before or the day of each service and returning on the day of the service.
Train companies are also supporting Royal British Legion fundraisers, by extending the free return travel offer to volunteers raising money in London on October 31.
Anyone with a Royal British Legion collector’s ID can travel to London on October 30 or 31, returning on October 31 or November 1.