First Bus Offers Free Travel for Veterans and Cadets on Remembrance Days

Bus operator First Bus has announced that it will offer free travel across all its UK services to members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and cadets on Remembrance Sunday (9 November) and Armistice Day (11 November).

The initiative aims to help service members and veterans attend parades, memorials, and remembrance events with ease and without the barrier of travel costs.

Eligible passengers can claim their free travel by showing their Armed Forces ID card or by wearing their uniform, medals, or veteran’s badge when boarding any First Bus service.

We’re proud to show our support for the Armed Forces community and to help make it as easy as possible for veterans, serving personnel, and cadets to attend Remembrance events across the country,” a First Bus spokesperson said.
“Many of our colleagues are themselves veterans or have family members who have served, so this initiative is one we hold close to our hearts.”

As part of the commemoration, First Bus drivers will also pause their buses at 11:00 am on both Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day — where safe to do so — to observe the traditional two-minute silence in honour of those who lost their lives in service.

The gesture has been welcomed by local veteran groups and community organisations, who say it helps make Remembrance more accessible and inclusive for all generations of service members.

First Bus operates more than 5,700 buses across the UK, carrying over 1.5 million passengers daily. The company’s network covers around 25 percent of the population of Great Britain, including more than half of the country’s largest urban areas.

Alongside its Remembrance initiative, First Bus has also highlighted its ongoing commitment to sustainability, pledging to run a fully zero-emission bus fleet by 2035. Over 1,500 electric or hydrogen buses are expected to be in service by the end of 2026.

How to Take Part

Free travel will be available to:

Serving members of the Armed Forces

Veterans of all services

Cadets in recognised uniformed groups

Passengers simply need to show a valid ID or display medals, uniform, or service badges when boarding.

The offer applies to all First Bus services across the UK on 9 and 11 November 2025.