UK transport company Stagecoach has extended its UK-wide free travel for veterans and military personnel to include cadets on Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday, for the few bus routes that have not yet been cut.

This means free travel for military of ex-military personnel available again on November 11 and 13; and will now include cadets wearing uniform. This is available on all Stagecoach bus and tram services across the country.

Whilst Stagecoach has confirmed its ‘‘ongoing commitment to the armed forces,” it has come under fire following the closure of a significant number routes from Ross and the surrounding parishes.

At Ross Town Council’s last full council meeting, councillors were asked to support a route previously closed by Stagecoach with a £26,000 grant. A substantial bite out of the town’s budget.

Councillors were told cuts to South Herefordshire public transport routes have directly harmed veterans. At the full council meeting an Upton Bishop and Ross British Legion member told the council village residents were frustrated by the lack of a consistent bus route.

She explained the negative impact the current situation had on the village’s special needs people, as the bus is their only way of getting about and how harmful it was by having a bad impact on their mental health.

Workers from the British Legion were having great difficulty getting out to support their veterans as and when they need to. It was added that the lack of a reliable bus route was impacting residents of neighbouring parishes mentally, socially and physically. It was also reported one woman has lost her job as a result of the unreliable transport conditions.

For the remaining Stagecoach routes, free travel will be valid on its bus and tram services right across the UK on Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday.

The commitment to free travel, which is now in its second year, comes on the back of the launch of Stagecoach’s employee led Veteran’s Network. The network was launched last year to allow Stagecoach colleagues to come together as one voice to make change, raise awareness, help influence business decisions and introduce new ways of working to make the company even stronger. Stagecoach has been a long-time supporter of the Poppy Appeal, and in addition to free travel on November 11 and 13, Stagecoach will be operating a number of Poppy Buses across its network.