From today, all NHS workers travelling to or from their place of work qualify for free travel on all buses and trams in the West Midlands as they go to work to battle the coronavirus pandemic.

Local bus operators and West Midlands Metro have teamed up to allow anyone working in our hospitals and frontline medical facilities to travel for free during the outbreak – simply by showing their NHS pass. A spokesperson for National Express West Midlands said:

"As a thank you to our NHS heroes, from Friday we will carry all NHS staff on our National Express West Midlands buses free of charge while they are on their way to and from work. They will simply need to show their NHS staff pass to our driver. 

"In addition, children of all key workers will also be able to travel free of charge to and from school - they should make sure they have the confirmation letter from their school with them so they can show it to our driver." 

Senior citizens and people with disabilities are also still able to travel for free all day (including before 9.30am) using their concessionary passes. Mayor of the West Midlands,Andy Street, added:

“We want to do as much as we can to support our NHS workers at this difficult time, and I am delighted that our bus companies and the Midland Metro have stepped up to offer free services.

“This is just a small way in which we can help all those people who, while many of us are safely staying at home, are going into busy hospitals to help save lives.

“Today’s announcement follows the re-deployment of Ring and Ride buses across the West Midlands, which are now acting as shuttle services for NHS workers from key transport hubs to hospital sites.”

Any NHS worker with an existing bus pass can visit the National Express website and complete the refund form to claim a refund where applicable.