Notice of Motion - Veteran Bus Travel

Proposed · This went to the meeting on Tue 14 Jul 2026. What was decided is in that meeting's minutes.

Councillor Horn proposed a Notice of Motion on veteran bus travel, seconded by Councillor Dowling. p2

The motion notes that East Sussex has a veteran population of 21,173 according to the 2021 census, and that affordable public transport is important for medical appointments, support services, independence and reducing social isolation. p3

The motion asks the appropriate Cabinet Member and officers to investigate a free bus travel scheme for veterans resident in East Sussex who hold a valid Veterans ID card, and to engage with local bus operators, veteran organisations and neighbouring authorities to develop delivery options. p4

The motion refers to Worcestershire County Council's introduction of free bus travel for veterans and serving personnel in April 2026 as an example. p3p6

Show the 4 passages this is based on

• p2MOTION WORDING The following Notice of Motion has been proposed by Councillor Horn and seconded by Councillor Dowling.
• p3This Council notes: That East Sussex is home to a significant veteran population; according to the 2021 census there are 21,173 many who live with service-related physical and mental health conditions. That access to affordable public transport is essential for attending medical appointments, accessing support services, maintaining independence and reducing social isolation. The Council's commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant and its duty to support veterans and their families. The successful introduction of free bus travel for veterans and serving personnel already applied by Worcestershire County Council in April 2026.
• p4This Council therefore resolves: To request that the appropriate Cabinet Member and officers investigate implementation of a free bus travel scheme for veterans resident in East Sussex who have a valid Veterans ID card. To engage with local bus operators, veteran organisations and neighbouring authorities to develop options for delivery of free bus travel for veterans with valid veteran ID cards.
• p6MOTION BACKGROUND INFORMATION As a council that supports the Armed Forces Covenant we accept the debt we owe our East Sussex veterans who have already given so much in service to our country. We thus seek to provide more support for veterans and service personnel living in East Sussex. We have committed ourselves to ensuring that those who have served are not disadvantaged because of their military service. This motion seeks to explore a practical way of honouring that commitment. Whereby we recognise veterans living in East Sussex, providing free bus travel within East Sussex in line with the current pensioner’s pass. For many veterans, a bus journey is not simply a trip from one place to another. It is a means of getting to hospital appointments, GP surgeries, support groups, veterans' hubs, employment opportunities, and for many, community activities that help maintain their health & wellbeing and independence. Getting to leisure facilities can improve healthier outcomes. Increased mobility can reduce loneliness and social isolation. Easier travel can help veterans access employment, training, and voluntary opportunities. These are wider outcomes that benefit not only veterans but our wider communities as well. We are not proposing something unprecedented. Worcestershire County Council has already introduced free bus travel for veterans and serving personnel, demonstrating that local authorities can work with transport providers to deliver meaningful support to the Armed Forces community.