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Free travel for military personnel supporting security for the 2012 Games

Transport for London and the Association of Train Operating Companies have announced that military personnel supporting the London 2012 Olympics will receive free travel within London, as well as services to London and to other Games venue locations.

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National Rail Enquiries has issued the following:

From Saturday 21 July, until 2359hrs on Tuesday 11 September, the following arrangements apply to military personnel engaged in supporting security for the 2012 Games.

1. Travel within Greater London Fare Zones 1-9

Military personnel may travel for free in Standard Class, in or out of uniform, within London Fares Zones 1-9, inclusive of Watford Junction, on all National Rail, Tube, Docklands Light Railway, London bus and London Tramlink services.

2. Travel to and from places outside Greater London

Military personnel may travel for free in Standard Class in uniform only on:

  • any National Rail service to or from London, with the exception of Grand Central and Caledonian Sleeper services
  • services to or from the following Games Venue stations: Cheshunt (for Lee Valley White Water Centre), Leigh-on-Sea (for Hadleigh Farm), Slough and Windsor & Eton Riverside (for Eton Dorney) and Sevenoaks (for Brands Hatch).

Military personnel travelling out of uniform on National Rail services outside the Greater London Fare Zones 1-9 must buy a ticket in the normal way. HM Forces Railcard discounts will apply as normal.

Where free travel is allowed, military personnel will not require a rail ticket and rail staff will admit them to stations with ticket gates. However, whether travelling in or out of uniform, military personnel must at all times carry their MOD Form 90 personnel ID, and must present this to rail staff when requested.

Personnel are to note that failure to comply with these arrangements may result in a Penalty Fare being charged.

Published 25 July 2012