Stagecoach West has unveiled a Plaxton Panorama coach in its Oxford Tube fleet that has been treated to a poppy-themed livery ahead of Remembrance Sunday. It complements a number of buses elsewhere in the group that already carry poppy-themed designs.
The design on the Panorama was created with support from the Armed Forces Covenant and the Ministry of Defence. It is what Stagecoach West Managing Director Rachel Geliamassi says is “a longer-term gesture of appreciation and gratitude” for the service and sacrifice of armed forces members.
Debut of the coach sits alongside Stagecoach’s wider offer of free travel to veterans, serving military personnel and cadets on its services, including the Oxford Tube, on Armistice Day (11 November) and Remembrance Sunday (12 November).
Defence Relationship Management National Account Manager Sam Berkson has thanked Stagecoach for its backing. “It is clear that Stagecoach recognises the benefits of being a Forces-friendly employer and I look forward to its continued support for defence and advocacy for its people.”
Adds Stagecoach Chief Operating Officer Sam Greer: “Stagecoach is proud to have thousands of veterans in our employment, so recognising the significance of remembrance weekend with free travel is vital.
“Remembrance Day and the Poppy Appeal are causes close to the hearts of many of our employees and customers, and we are very pleased to be making this commitment that will hopefully help people to attend memorials across the UK.”
The ongoing free travel commitment, which includes Armed Forces Day in the summer, underlines Stagecoach’s commitment to its employee-led, UK-wide Veterans’ Network.
That was established to allow those working for Stagecoach and who have served in the military to come together as a single voice to make changes, raise awareness, help to influence decisions within the business, and introduce new ways of working.
The group’s work with the armed forces saw it claim a silver award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme in July. That scheme acknowledges organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support for the armed forces community and which align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant. Stagecoach has been a member of the latter since 2015.
