Armed Forces veterans in Wolverhampton can now enjoy free bus travel and discounted rail travel.

Thanks to Government funding and as part of the West Midlands Bus Service Improvement Plan, Travel for West Midlands is running an incentive scheme in collaboration with local bus operators enabling unlimited free travel on all buses, all day, in the Network West Midlands area for up to six months. Meanwhile, a Veterans Railcard is also available, offering discounts on rail travel in England, Wales and Scotland.

Separately, the free HM Armed Forces Veteran Card is a photo ID card and an easy way to prove service in the UK Armed Forces, making it quicker and easier to apply for support as a veteran. To apply, you will need your service number, national insurance number, the approximate year you started and ended your service and a recent digital passport-style photo showing your head and shoulders.

Councillor Craig Collingswood, Chair of the Wolverhampton Armed Forces Covenant Partnership Board, said: “As a Partnership, we are determined to support our veterans and their families in any way we can, and that includes ensuring they are aware of, and able to access, the help and support that it available to them, such as these important travel benefits and the HM Armed Forces Veteran Card.

“You can currently apply for a Veteran Card if you have a UK address and were in the regulars or the reserves for the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force or Royal Marines. Those with a non-UK address will be able to apply later in the year. If you served in another group in the UK Armed Forces you may still be able to apply.”

As lead for the Armed Forces Covenant Partnership Board for the city, the City of Wolverhampton Council co-ordinates support for the Armed Forces community across Wolverhampton. It is also a founding member of the Wolverhampton Gold Award Association, a network of gold award holders working together to improve the experience of the Armed Forces community on the ground.

The council welcomes veterans and the wider Armed Forces community into the organisation and offers a range of supportive human resources policies such as guaranteed interview schemes for veterans applying for job vacancies and an allowance of up to 24 days’ paid leave for reservists and adult cadet force volunteers.