Go North East to mark Remembrance with free travel and new poppy bus

Go North East has revealed a new poppy bus livery to honour the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces. The bus operator is also offering free travel on all services for veterans and current members of the Armed Forces on both Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day.

The operator has had a poppy bus on the road for several years but the newly unveiled version was designed in collaboration with Go North East colleagues who served in the Armed Forces. The design includes red poppies, silhouettes of soldiers and a purple poppy to honour animals that served and died alongside British and allied forces.

Kevin Shanks, a Go North East driver training instructor who was a soldier in the British Army’s Light Infantry, suggested adding the words ‘all gave some, some gave all’ to the bus. He says: “It was a privilege to have the opportunity to share some ideas for the new bus design. I’m really pleased with the outcome - the bus design is beautiful and a fitting way to honour those who served.”

Adam Lusby, a Go North East driver who was a Royal Artillery Gunner for nine years, contributed to the poppy bus design. He said: “Adding a purple poppy to the bus was really important to me as I witnessed first-hand the contributions animals make to the forces, including dogs trained to find roadside bombs. I think their sacrifice should be recognised more often.”

Free travel is available on all services on 8 and 11 November to serving personnel who can produce a current ID card, veterans displaying a veteran's badge, cadets and anyone travelling in uniform.

Terry Harmer, a Go North East driver who was in the British Army as part of the Queen’s Royal Lancers for five years, also gave feedback on the poppy bus design. He said: “It’s great that Go North East offers free travel for the armed forces community to make sure no one has to worry about the cost of heading to Remembrance events.”

Find out more on the Go North East website.