Mayor of London Boris Johnson has announced that all military personnel working in the capital to deliver the London 2012 Games will be able to travel for free on all Transport for London (TfL) services.
The decision, which is a way of saying thanks to the Service personnel who will help in many different roles during the Olympics, comes into force tomorrow.
Free travel will be offered to all military personnel in uniform on the London Underground, London Buses, the Docklands Light Railway, London Overground and other TfL-operated services for the duration of the Games, from 21 July to 11 September.
All TfL staff will be instructed to simply open the gates at stations or allow free access to services to all uniformed military personnel.
The Mayor of London said: "London is ready to welcome the world and host a hugely successful Olympic and Paralympic Games. That success will be in no small measure down to the contribution of our boys and girls in the military.
"Now, as ever, they have shown themselves ready to go above and beyond the call of duty. With free travel on TfL services, we offer a thank you from London for their outstanding contribution to a great London 2012 Games."
"With free travel on TfL services, we offer a thank you from London."
London's Transport Commissioner, Peter Hendy, said: "Free travel on all TfL services is the least we can do for our hardworking military personnel. Whenever they are in uniform, our staff will welcome them and ensure they can travel for free throughout the London 2012 Games."
The role of Service personnel during the London 2012 Olympic Games is varied. One of the main jobs the Armed Forces are involved in is implementing air security around London and the South East. Air restrictions have been in force since last Saturday.
The RAF has Typhoon fast jets based at RAF Northolt and Puma helicopters based at Ilford. There are Army Rapier and Starstreak ground-based air defence systems across London, Royal Navy Sea King helicopters based at RAF Northolt, and helicopter carrier HMS Ocean is moored on the Thames at Greenwich.
