ARMED forces veterans are to get free bus travel on Worcestershire’s on demand bus service.

County highways chief Marc Bayliss said the council needs to show its commitment to veterans in deeds, not just words.

He said a trial will start in the New Year on the on demand service that operates in Bromsgrove and Kempsey, but could be extended.

VETERAN: Councillor Martin Allen has led the campaign for free bus travel for military veteransVETERAN: Councillor Martin Allen has led the campaign for free bus travel for military veterans (Image: Cllr Martin Allen)

Cllr Martin Allen, himself a veteran, has been campaigning for free bus travel for former service personnel for years.

Worcestershire County Council first agreed to provide free bus travel for veterans two years ago.

But as no services had been provided, Cllr Allen put forward a motion at a full council meeting on Thursday (November 7), once again calling on the authority to “do the right thing by our veterans”.

He said: “I understand officers’ nervousness at the cost implications, thinking ‘is this going to cost us millions of pounds?’

“I still don’t think that many veterans will use it. I wish they would, but I think they’ll just jump in the car.”

READ MORE: Military veterans to get free bus travel in Worcestershire

His motion said the service would support veterans and service personnel by making “a positive difference to their lives in recognition of their service contributions”.

This is likely to be on production of a valid veterans identity card.

Cllr Natalie McVey said there was “no justification for the lack of commitment” and said Gloucestershire had introduced a travel card for veterans on the back of Cllr Allen’s suggestions.

She said she had spoken to several people who would benefit from free bus travel.

Cllr Bayliss, the cabinet member for highways, said after talking to Cllr Allen he had been “working to make this a reality”.

“I’m happy to announce we are going to offer veterans free travel on our Worcestershire On Demand bus service on a trial basis from the start of 2025,” he told councillors.

“This council needs to show a commitment to veterans, not just words but in deeds.”