Veterans wearing medals and serving forces with ID ride Metrobus free on 8 and 11 November; Poppy Appeal collectors travel free from 19 October to 25 November.
Veterans wearing their service medals can ride Metrobus for free on Remembrance Sunday, 8 November, and on Armistice Day, Wednesday 11 November. Serving members of the Armed Forces travel free on the same two days if they carry their military ID card.
Metrobus and its sister company Brighton & Hove Buses announced the offer on 19 October, along with free travel for Royal British Legion poppy collectors through the whole fundraising period. Metrobus runs 175 buses on 50 routes through Sussex, Surrey and Kent, the companies say, and its routes include the 430 between Merstham and Reigate via Redhill and East Surrey Hospital (Metrobus).
Who travels free, and when
- Poppy collectors, 19 October to 25 November. Any Royal British Legion poppy collector volunteer can travel free for the five weeks.
- Veterans, 8 and 11 November. Anyone wearing their own military service medals.
- Serving personnel, 8 and 11 November. Anyone carrying their military ID card. The companies’ wording is “medals and/or” ID, so either one is enough.
The Royal British Legion’s annual Poppy Appeal launches on Thursday 22 October. This year, the companies say, it “will shine a light on Armed Forces families, recognising the unique challenges and sacrifices they make in support of their loved ones who serve.”
Poppies on 100 buses
The companies are also fixing large poppy stickers, designed by the Legion, to the fronts of 100 buses: 50 Metrobus vehicles and 50 Brighton & Hove ones. They say the poppies “will begin to appear on our buses in the next couple of weeks.” The companies describe the free travel and the poppies as support they are giving “once again”.
What they said
Nick Hill, Commercial Director at Brighton & Hove Buses and Metrobus, said:
“The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal is a lifeline for thousands of serving and ex-serving personnel and their families, so we are proud to be supporting their great work by providing free travel to Poppy Collectors, veterans and to serving personnel of our armed forces.”
Andy Brown, the Poppy Appeal Manager for East Sussex, said:
“We are hugely grateful once again for the support shown by Brighton & Hove Buses and Metrobus to the Armed Forces community. And every donation helps us support those who serve and their families, whatever the need, whenever it’s needed. The offer of free travel to our amazing volunteers and veterans over the Poppy Appeal period and Remembrance is an amazing gesture and show of support, the impact of which should never be underestimated.”
What it means for you
- Going to a Remembrance service on 8 November? If you are a veteran, wear your medals on the bus and the fare is free. Parade times for Reigate, Redhill, Horley and Banstead are on our Remembrance Sunday page.
- Collecting for the Poppy Appeal? Your travel is free from today until 25 November.
- Check your route before 30 October. Six Metrobus routes, the 430 among them, cannot serve East Surrey Hospital on 30 and 31 October because of the Three Arch Road works (our report).
Between them, Brighton & Hove Buses and Metrobus say their passengers made 64 million journeys last year. Details of both companies’ services are at metrobus.co.uk and buses.co.uk.
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