Bereaved military families attending Remembrance commemorations to pay tribute to their loved ones will get free train travel for the first time. From November 2026, one direct family member of a service person who died while serving will be able to qualify for the free train tickets. It is understood this could be a parent, spouse, partner or child. The free travel will cover Remembrance Sunday, which sees events and two-minute silences held across the country, including the national service led by the King in London, in honour of those who have died in conflict.
Government Announces Extension of Free Rail Travel
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “Remembrance services are a moment of national reflection and gratitude, and it’s important that those who have served, and those who remember them, can take part. I’m proud that we are extending free rail travel to family members of veterans who died in service, so they can be present at Remembrance Weekend events and pay tribute to the immense sacrifice of their loved ones.”
Campaign Success for Liberal Democrat MP
The move came following a campaign by Liberal Democrat and former Army captain in the Royal Military Police, Helen Maguire. The MP for Epsom and Ewell told the Express: "No Armed Forces family whose loved one has made the ultimate sacrifice for our country should be required to pay an ever-increasing train fare to attend a Remembrance service and honour the loved one. I am absolutely delighted that the Government has listened and agreed to extend free travel to bereaved relatives. This is a massive victory for fairness, decency, and our military community. We owe our service personnel a debt of gratitude we can never truly repay, but ensuring all service families can stand proud on Remembrance Sunday is a vital step forward."
Royal British Legion Welcomes the Change
The Lib Dems said fallen soldiers had often gone unrepresented at national Remembrance services because grieving family members could not afford train fares. The Royal British Legion, which organises the annual March Past the Cenotaph in Whitehall on Remembrance Sunday, said expanding the free rail travel offer is a “welcome move”. A spokesperson for the charity said: “Bereaved families are an important part of the Armed Forces community, and Remembrance is a particularly meaningful and emotional time for them. Enabling them to attend Remembrance events without the additional burden of travel costs will help ensure they can come together to honour and remember their loved ones' service and sacrifice.”
Details of the Free Travel Scheme
Military personnel and veterans are already able to travel to Remembrance Weekend events free of charge. The free travel for bereaved family members is expected to follow existing arrangements with train operators. In line with the current scheme, it will only apply to travel associated with commemorations taking place over Remembrance Weekend. King Charles leads the nation in a two-minute silence at 11am on Remembrance Sunday. Charles also lays a wreath at the Cenotaph during the National Service of Remembrance in central London. Some 10,000 veterans took part in the Royal British Legion’s parade through Whitehall and past the Cenotaph last year.
