Serving members of the armed forces and veterans can travel for free on trams and buses around Greater Manchester today as Remembrance Sunday services take place.

Just like yesterday, Armistice Day, the armed forces community can travel for no charge on Metrolink and Bee Network buses, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has said.

Free travel is available to any serving personnel in uniform, or with proof of a military ID card, veterans wearing medals or veterans' badge, and cadets in uniform attending remembrance services over the weekend.

Members of the armed forces already get free off-peak travel on the Metrolink as part of TfGM’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant. 

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “I’m proud that in 2014, GMCA became the first combined authority to sign the Armed Forces Covenant as part of our commitment to ensuring that no member of the military is placed at a disadvantage as a result of their service. 

“Members of the Regular and Reserve Armed Forces already have access to free transport on Metrolink as part of the Covenant and I’m pleased to confirm that this offer is extended to veterans and cadets on both tram and franchised bus services this weekend.  

“We live in challenging times and as we honour heroes of the past this weekend, our thoughts will also be with those caught in war and conflict around the world at present.” 

Passengers are being warned to plan ahead amid changes to the travel timetables.

Sean Dyball, TfGM’s head of customer experience, added: “Remembrance events are taking place across Greater Manchester on both days this weekend and we have plans in place to ensure services run as smoothly as possible for all our customers. 

“We would encourage people to plan ahead for their journeys and allow plenty of time to get to their destination, whether that’s in the city centre or elsewhere across the city region." 

The annual service of remembrance in Manchester will take place in St Peter's Square.

As a result, the following service patterns will be in operation on the Metrolink:

Start of service to 10am

Bury - Ashton-Under-Lyne

Altrincham - Piccadilly Station

Deansgate-Castlefield - Eccles (via MediaCityUK)

Rochdale Town Centre - East Didsbury (via Market Street and Shudehill)

Manchester Airport - Victoria

Trafford Centre - Cornbrook

10am to 12.30pm

From 10am to 12.30pm, no trams will run through St Peter’s Square.

Bury - Ashton-Under-Lyne

Altrincham – Deansgate-Castlefield

Eccles - Deansgate-Castlefield (via MediaCityUK)

Rochdale Town Centre – Exchange Square

East Didsbury – Deansgate-Castlefield

Manchester Airport – Deansgate-Castlefield

Trafford Centre - Cornbrook

From 12.30pm until the end of service

Bury - Ashton-Under-Lyne

Altrincham - Piccadilly Station

Eccles - Deansgate-Castlefield (via MediaCityUK)

Rochdale Town Centre - East Didsbury (via Exchange Square)

Manchester Airport - Victoria

Trafford Centre - Cornbrook

Road closures in Bury

Bury town centre

From 10am to 2pm

Knowsley Street (full length), Angouleme Way (junction with Knowsley Street/Haymarket Street), Angouleme Way (westbound carriageway, Knowsley Street to Manchester Road), Haymarket Street (Angouleme Way to Moss Street), Haymarket Street (eastern carriageway, Moss Street to Broad Street), Market Street (Broad Street to Market Place), Market Place, The Rock (Market Place to cul-de-sac end), Crompton Street (full length), The Wylde (full length), Castle Street/Cooper Street (full length), Silver Street (Broad Street to Bolton Street), Bolton Street (from the entrance to the East Lancashire Railway (ELR) car park to Market Street, Bury

Prestwich

From 10.30am to 11.30am

Rectory Lane (from the Longfield Centre Service Road to St Marys Road) and St Mary's Road from Rectory Lane to the entrance to St Mary's car park

Radcliffe

From 10.30am to 12.45pm

Water Street and Blackburn Street (Hampson Street to New Church Street)

Ramsbottom

From 10.30am to 12.30pm

Markland Street, Central Street, Carr Street, Bolton Street/Ramsbottom Lane, Bridge Street, Crow Lane, Garden Street

Tottington

From 2pm to 4.30pm

Harwood Road, Turton Road, Market Street, Chapel Street

Walshaw

From 10.30am to 11.30am

Grassington Court - junction with High Street, High Street- between Grassington Court and Leigh Street, Walshaw Road - between number 510 Walshaw Road and the junction of High Street

Bus diversions

The following buses will operate on diversion while the above road closures are in place: 66, 98, 469, 471, 472, 474, 480, 511, 512, 524, X41