Veterans seeking work given free bus travel

The scheme was launched at the recently opened Veterans Café in Gloucester

Veterans looking for work are now able to get a travelcard providing free bus travel.

The scheme, introduced by Gloucestershire County Council, will be available to military veterans aged over 16 who are claiming Universal Credit or receiving a DWP benefit in the county.

Created in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Jobcentre Plus, each card can be used for 50 single free trips.

Councillor Andrew Gravells, armed forces champion for Gloucestershire said it was "important we can give them something back".

The county council has produced and funded the travel cards, while Jobcentre Plus establishments in the county will issue them.

The initiative was launched at the Veterans Café in Gloucester, which was set up earlier this year to provide a space for serving armed forces personnel, veterans and their families to socialise and support each other.

If a veteran finds a job they can continue to use the card for up to 50 trips.

If the veteran if still seeking employment after the card runs out, they will be issued with a new card.

Leader of the council's Green Party, Cate Cody put forward the motion to introduce the scheme and said: "Free bus travel will help veterans financially and make it easier for them to travel around the county; as a regular bus user myself it is really good to encourage others to use this sustainable way of travelling too and I’m very pleased that my motion was approved by all parties.”