Transport for Greater Manchester have reaffirmed their Armed Forces Covenant which will allow members of the Armed Forces to travel for free on Metrolink out of uniform. Regular or reserve members can travel for free after 0930 Mondays to Fridays and all day on weekends, Armistice Day, Remembrance Sunday and Armed Forces Day as long as a military identification card is carried.
In addition veterans carrying their veterans badge or military identification will be able to travel for free on Armistice Day, Remembrance Sunday and Armed Forces Day. Cadets travelling in uniform can also travel for free on the same days.
And any members of the Armed Forces are still able to travel free when in uniform as part of the Covenant which pledges a range of measures to support the Armed Forces including working with the British Legion, supporting TfGM staff who chose to serve as members of the reserves and supporting service members’ spouses and partners who are employed at TfGM.
To mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War trams will also carry Poppies in the lead up to Remembrance Sunday whilst 3020 – named Lancashire Fusilier – will be carrying poppy wreaths in the cabs.
Dr Jon Lamonte, TfGM Chief Executive, said: “We are always proud at TfGM to support our Armed Forces. This is especially true this year, which marks 100 years since the end of the First World War. This covenant and the poppies that will adorn our Fusiliers tram are our small way of recognising their work. Now that our Armed Forces will be able to travel for free of out-of-uniform I hope many more of them will be able to take advantage of this offer. Alongside this, the covenant pledges a range of other measures to show we are an Armed Forces-friendly organisation and I hope many other transport operators across our city-region follow our example.”