MILITARY veterans and service personnel are set to get free bus travel in Worcestershire.

County councillors have agreed that veterans and serving members of the armed forces living in Worcestershire should ride free on county bus services from 2024.

A motion put forward by Croome councillor Martin Allen was passed by councillors at the meeting of Worcestershire County Council on Thursday, November 10.

Cllr Allen said: “I’m a veteran myself having served 10 and a half years in the Royal Navy, including in the Falklands.

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“When I left in 1989 there was very little help for veterans. I’ve done very well in civilian life but quite a lot of veterans don’t do so well, especially younger ones. Many suffer from PTSD or have been injured serving in Afghanistan or Iraq.”

Cllr Allen, who is also the armed forces and veterans champion for Malvern Hills District Council, said the bus travel idea came from conversations with military charities.

40th anniversary of Falklands conflict

“I’ve been involved with the charity Stepway, who provide help for veterans, and one of the biggest problems they have is getting veterans to appointments, whether it’s at the hospital, to see a psychiatrist or to go on one of Stepway’s courses,” he said.

“A lot of veterans in Worcestershire will be pensioners, so will get a free bus pass anyway. But it makes sense to extend that out to all veterans and service personnel living in the county.

“As we’re marking the 40th anniversary of the Falklands conflict this year, it is an apt moment to do this.

“We do very little for our veterans but this is a chance to do something more than virtue signalling. This is something that will make a positive contribution to their lives.”

Cllr Allen said it’s likely that the scheme won’t even cost the county council much money, as the Government is expected to finish its rollout of veterans ID cards by the end of 2023.

The bus scheme will be included for consideration in Worcestershire’s 2024/25 draft budget process.

Cllr Allen, who says both MP Harriet Baldwin and the Royal British Legion are in support, added: “What we have to ensure is that the county council administration now uses the 18 months wisely to ensure they can deliver the council’s wishes in this matter.”