Free travel in London announced for injured war veterans
27/06/2008
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson has announced that injured war veterans in London are to receive free travel on the capital’s transport network, whether they are residents or visitors, in recognition of their service to the country.
He made the announcement as he joined hundreds of British army war veterans, their families and friends, as he launched an annual Veterans Day event in Trafalgar Square to celebrate the contribution that servicemen and women make to society and to pay tribute to their outstanding courage and bravery.
From 2 November all war veterans in receipt of a pension under the War Pensions Scheme or the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, including war widows and widowers and eligible dependents, will be able to travel for free on Transport for London bus, Tube, tram, Docklands Light Railway and London Overground services.
The Train Operating Companies have also backed the Mayor in agreeing that war veterans will be able to travel free on their services within Greater London.
The new scheme will particularly benefit the estimated 2,600 war veterans, war widows and widowers aged under 60 living in London who are not eligible for a freedom pass. On average, they are expected to save around £200 each a year. This will be particularly useful in enabling wounded service personnel to travel to receive medical treatment, as well as making life easier for the significant number of veterans who battle with post-traumatic stress and other mental health problems.
Boris Johnson said: “Establishing an annual Veterans Day event is an important way of highlighting the contributions made by veterans of all ages and backgrounds and recognising and honouring the sacrifices they have made in defence of our country.
“War Veterans can often have a hard time when they return, sometimes facing issues such as serious injury, mental illness and unemployment. Those that have lost spouses or parents have also suffered for the service they have given. Yet in both cases they are not entitled to existing travel concessions.
“I want to change that, and am pleased that, from November, London will be doing its bit in recognising the unflinching contribution that these men and women of the forces have made, by offering free travel throughout the capital for inured veterans.”
Derek Twigg, the Minister for Veterans at the Ministry of Defence, said: "I am delighted that London has made this highly practical concession to our injured veterans and war widows and hope that other authorities may be able to adopt a similar scheme".
Russell Thompson, Director of National Events and Fundraising at The Royal British Legion, said: "The Royal British Legion warmly welcomes the Mayor of London's initiative, which goes some way to recognising the incredible contribution that members of our Armed Forces have made and continue to make in service of their country; and we would hope that local authorities around the country will consider similar measures."