Armed Forces Covenant

An Enduring Covenant Between The People of the United Kingdom His Majesty’s Government and All those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown And their Families

The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.

Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.

This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.

Section 1: Principles of The Armed Forces Covenant

We, Transport for Greater Manchester, will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key
principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are:

• no member of the Armed Forces community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen, and;
• in some circumstances special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.

Section 2: Demonstrating our Commitment

Transport for Greater Manchester recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our organisation. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by:

• Promoting the fact that we are an armed forces-friendly organisation;
• Seeking to support the employment of veterans and liaise with organisations like Poppy Factory and Officers’ Association to promote this work;
• Striving to support the employment of Service spouses and partners;
• Endeavouring to offer a degree of flexibility in granting leave for Service spouses and partners before, during and after a partner’s deployment;
• Seeking to support our employees who choose to be members of the Reserve forces, including by accommodating their training and deployment where possible;
• Offering support to our local cadet units, either in our local community or in local schools, where possible;
• Working with the British Legion we will promote the sale of poppies on our premises and amongst our staff;
• Aiming to actively participate in Armed Forces Day;
• Providing free off-peak travel on Metrolink for members of the Regular or Reserve Service who carry their MOD90 card. This offer is valid from 9.30am until midnight Monday to Friday, and all day on weekends and public holidays. It is also valid all day on Armed Forces Day, Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday.
• Providing free travel on Metrolink on Armed Forces Day, Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday for veterans who carry their veterans badge or a MOD90 card, and for members of cadet units travelling in uniform, and;
• Working with relevant groups and organisations we will explore ways to make travel easier for members of the Armed Forces Community.

We will publicise these commitments through our literature and/or on our website, setting out how to get further information and inviting feedback from the Service community and our customers on how we are doing.

TfGM is proud to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, a promise from the nation that those who serve or have served, and their families, are treated fairly.

Download the TfGM Armed Forces Covenant

See how members of the armed forces can travel for free on Metrolink.