Wales offers free rail travel for Ukrainian refugees for six months, Mark Drakeford announces
The First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford has announced that from today, refugees fleeing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine can travel for free on Transport for Wales services.
The scheme will help the refugees while they are settling in Wales, with the free travel scheme running for six months. Ukrainian nationals can claim free travel by showing a Ukraine passport to conductors and station staff.
The scheme is an extension of an ongoing Welsh Government programme which provides free public transport for asylum seekers in Wales, as part of its ambition to become the world’s first Nation of Sanctuary as endorsed by the United Nations.
First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “My message to the people of Ukraine is clear; there is a warm welcome waiting for you in Wales.
“Transport for Wales providing free travel for all refugees is another action which shows Wales is a place of safety and sanctuary for those who need our help.
“I am also proud that Wales intends to become a super-sponsor for the UK Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme, which will provide a safe route for people to come to the UK for up to three years.”
James Price, Transport for Wales CEO, said: “All of us will have seen the shocking and distressing scenes from Ukraine over the past few weeks. Many of us have been deeply affected by what’s happening, and we want to do what we can to support the Ukrainian people in their time of need.
“We’re proud of our record of supporting groups with free travel, including being a part of the nation Rail to Refuge scheme offering free travel for people fleeing domestic abuse, and offering free rail travel for NHS workers during 2020. This is a further extension of our commitment to social justice and helping make the world a better place.”
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Free bus travel and entry to Cadw sites for Ukrainian refugees offered by Welsh Government
- Welsh Government
- Sunday 8 May 2022 at 1:29pm
Two new schemes have been introduced to help refugees and people from Ukraine integrate into Wales.
The Welcome Ticket will offer free bus travel to Ukrainian refugees and free entry to Cadw sites across Wales.
The two schemes, which were announced on 8 May, are part of Wales' commitment to be a Nation of Sanctuary to people fleeing conflict and abuse around the world.
The ticket will provide all eligible people free, unlimited travel on local bus services, including those operating into England where the journey starts or finishes in Wales.
Covering the majority of bus services running in Wales, the Welcome Ticket scheme will run for six months until 30 September 2022.
Deputy Minister for Climate Change Lee Waters said: "This is a major step forward in ensuring refugees and people from Ukraine can travel freely across Wales – it will help them to integrate into Wales and make a positive contribution to our nation.
"I want to pay tribute to all those bus companies across Wales for taking part in this scheme – it demonstrates their commitment to making Wales a real nation of sanctuary."
The Welcome Ticket is a voluntary scheme in which bus companies can choose to take part in.
People will need to show evidence of their eligibility for the scheme, which maybe their passport, visa or biometric residence permit when boarding. They will then be given a Welcome Ticket by the bus driver.
" We want to ensure that these individuals are supported to rebuild their lives."
Cadw have also announced their scheme which offers free entry to all their site for refugees, asylum seekers or people from Ukraine in Wales.
Minister for Social Justice Jane Hutt explained: "Being a Nation of Sanctuary means welcoming people to Wales and providing them with help and support to settle into their lives in Wales. We’re very proud we can extend these fantastic schemes to people from Ukraine.
"We firmly believe the skills, experience and resilience of refugees and asylum seekers are an asset to Wales - that’s why we’re proud to extend the welcome and support their ambitions to thrive in Wales. This is what being a Nation of Sanctuary is all about.
"We want to ensure that these individuals are supported to rebuild their lives and make a full contribution to Welsh society."
Free travel for refugees
The free travel scheme for refugees ends 31 march 2024.
The free travel scheme for refugees will no longer be available on bus and train services in Wales from 1 April 2024. From this date you will need to pay for your travel.
You may be eligible for one of the free or discounted travel schemes also available if you are:
- 60 years or over
- a disabled passenger
- a child or young person
For further information on these and other discounted travel tickets please see www.traveline.cymru or contact your local bus operator.
For other rail ticket discounts available please visit: tfw.wales/railcards .
Also, for details of rail ticket types, please visit: tfw.wales/ticket-types .
The free travel scheme for refugees provides unlimited travel on:
All Transport for Wales rail services, boarding and alighting at TfW stations in both England and Wales *
bus services that cross into England if starting or finishing in Wales
all local bus services
*Please note: This scheme is valid on TfW services between two TfW stations only. Tickets must be purchased for non-TfW stations and services.
The scheme is available for all refugees and those seeking international protection in Wales, in line with our Nation of Sanctuary vision on production of one of the following:
Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) marked that someone is a ‘Refugee’, has ‘HP’ or ‘Humanitarian Protection’, or includes the words ‘Afghan’, ‘Ukraine’ or ‘Hong Kong’;
Personally addressed letter issued by the Home Office / Home Secretary confirming anyone of the statuses in subsection a; or
Valid Ukrainian, Afghan or Hong Kong British National Overseas passport.
Do you use any of the following documents as proof of eligibility for free travel on our trains? After 31 March 2024, we'll no longer be able to accept these and you'll need to pay the appropriate fare for your journey.
There is no need to apply to participate in this scheme.
If you are consistently unable to produce valid proof of eligibility, free travel may not be provided, and standard fares may apply.
Fraudulent use will result in free transport being withdrawn immediately and reported to the relevant authorities. This may lead to prosecution.
Individual operator conditions of carriage apply for journeys made.
Free bus travel for Ukrainian refugees in Wales
Refugees fleeing from Ukraine will receive free travel on local bus services, under plans announced by the Welsh Government.
The new Welcome Ticket will provide refugees and people from Ukraine with unlimited free bus travel across the majority of bus services for six months. This includes local bus services operating in England where the journey starts or finishes in Wales.
Deputy minister for climate change, Lee Waters, said: 'This free bus scheme – called Welcome Ticket – will be available to all refugees who are already here or are arriving in Wales and will allow unlimited free travel on the majority of local bus services across Wales and those operating to England, if they start or finish in Wales.
'This is a major step forward in ensuring refugees and people from Ukraine can travel freely across Wales – it will help them to integrate into Wales and make a positive contribution to our nation.'
Refugees, asylum seekers or people from Ukraine will also be offered free individual or family entry to all Cadw site across Wales.
'This offer will be in place until 25 October, ensuring all those who come to Wales seeking sanctuary will have the opportunity to view and visit Welsh cultural and heritage sites across the country free of charge,' explained deputy minister for arts and sport Dawn Bowden.
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- Tel: 0808 196 7273
Support for Ukrainian Refugees
We are funded by Welsh Government to deliver a specialist Ukraine support service.
We work closely with local authorities and stakeholders across Wales to support Ukrainian refugees.
How we can help you:
- Support applying for a bank account.
- Support applying for Universal Credit, Child Benefits and Pension Credit.
- ESOL classes.
- Employment and Education advice.
- Lost Biometric Residence Permits.
- Chasing delayed Biometric Residence Permits cards.
- Making appointments to discuss your housing options.
- Help looking for a private rented accommodation.
- Liaise with landlords and Housing Options and support with paperwork.
- Referral to a tenancy support worker.
- Referral to free legal and immigration advice and guidance
- Registering children in local schools.
- Registering with a GP.
We also partner with charities to provide support:
- Want to get your voice heard? – DPIA host Advocacy Forums for Ukrainian Refugees
- Want help with mental health? – Oasis provides free Mindspring Training Sessions for Ukrainians.
Services for Ukrainian refugees
Wales-wide services.
- Free bus and train valid until 31 March 2023 (when this will be reviewed).
- Free ESOL courses through Adult Learning Wales Hubs in Newport, Cardiff, Wrexham, and Swansea.
- The Welsh Government has created a website for sanctuary seekers in Wales with a dedicated section on Ukraine . Find out about your rights, life in Wales and services available to you.
Free online services
- The Open University has created free resources for Ukrainians settling in the UK and Ireland.
- Free downloadable educational and mental health activities for kids.
- Free reading resources for Ukrainian pupils.
Local authority services
Contact your local council to find out what services they can provide to you as a Ukrainian refugee
- Find your local authority | GOV.WALES
Our specialist Ukraine Team are:
- Ukraine Manager: Nick Wysoczanskyj
- Ukraine Caseworker (Pan-Wales): Vladyslava Zhmuro
- Ukraine Caseworker (Pan-Wales): Fayrouz Hakam
- Ukraine Caseworker (Wrexham) : Olena Baseiko
- Ukraine Caseworker (Carmarthenshire) : Nick Walters
We provide face-to-face appointments in our offices on:
- Mondays – 10:00 – 13:00 and 14:00 – 15:00.
- Tuesdays – 10:00 – 13:00 and 14:00 – 15:00.
- Wednesdays – CLOSED
- Thursdays – 10:00 – 13:00 and 14:00 – 15:00.
- Fridays – 10:00 – 13:00, we are CLOSED in the afternoon.
- Saturday – CLOSED
- Sunday – CLOSED
We offer drop-in services strictly on an emergency basis. If you attend the office for an emergency drop-in, your level of need will be assessed by our triage. If your issue is not deemed to be an emergency, you will be asked to book in an appointment.
Call us on our freephone number 0808 196 7273 to book an appointment.
You will reach one of our team members and if we can help, one of our experienced caseworkers will contact you. If you need an interpreter we will do our best to have someone available on the phone.
What our clients have said:
“I want to note that upon arriving in Wales, we are constantly helped by the Welsh, they impress me with their kindness and generosity. One of such people is Susan, a teacher, volunteer from Chepstow, who helps us, Ukrainians, to start learning English in order to integrate into society as soon as possible. I am infinitely grateful to Susan for her perseverance and friendliness, since she, having evaluated the knowledge I have already acquired at the Ukrainian school, works with me individually. I appreciate her help and the time she spends with me improving my English language skills.”
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- Housing, local and community
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Guests travelling to and within the UK: Homes for Ukraine
Information about free travel schemes available for Ukrainians travelling to and onward within the UK.
Onward travel
The Department for Transport (DfT) announced that Ukrainian arrivals can access free onward travel for 48 hours. They are working closely with the Rail Delivery Group (the group that brings together all passenger and freight rail companies in the UK) to roll out the offer of a free single one-way journey from a port of entry to a final destination for incoming people from Ukraine.
Train Operating Companies will brief frontline staff to grant free access to the network to those holding a Ukrainian passport, with accompanying boarding pass dated within the last 48 hours.
Guests arriving in the country are eligible for a single onward journey via national rail, bus, light rail, and coach. This will be free of charge to anywhere in England, Scotland and Wales.
To make use of this scheme, guests will need to show their Ukrainian passport and a boarding pass or ticket showing their arrival into the UK. The offer is valid across all train operators in England, Scotland and Wales, and guests will have 48 hours from arrival in the UK to complete their journey.
Travel in Wales
In Wales, guests can travel on bus or rail services for free for the first 6 months after their arrival. They will need to show transport staff their passport or UK government permission to travel letter.
Travel in London
Guests will also be able to travel for free across London using TfL’s London Underground, Docklands Light Railway (DLR), and bus and tram services, so they can reach their destination as quickly as possible.
To find out more about rail travel schemes go to National Rail .
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Wales offers free rail travel for Ukrainian refugees
First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford has announced that from today, refugees fleeing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine can travel for free on Transport for Wales services.
The scheme will help the refugees while they are settling in Wales, with the free travel scheme running for six months.
Ukrainian nationals can claim free travel by showing a Ukraine passport to conductors and station staff.
The scheme is an extension of an ongoing Welsh Government programme which provides free public transport for asylum seekers in Wales, as part of its ambition to become the world’s first Nation of Sanctuary as endorsed by the United Nations.
First Minister Mark Drakeford said:
“My message to the people of Ukraine is clear; there is a warm welcome waiting for you in Wales.
“Transport for Wales providing free travel for all refugees is another action which shows Wales is a place of safety and sanctuary for those who need our help.
“I am also proud that Wales intends to become a super-sponsor for the UK Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme, which will provide a safe route for people to come to the UK for up to three years.”
James Price, Transport for Wales CEO, said:
“All of us will have seen the shocking and distressing scenes from Ukraine over the past few weeks. Many of us have been deeply affected by what’s happening, and we want to do what we can to support the Ukrainian people in their time of need.
“We’re proud of our record of supporting groups with free travel, including being a part of the nation Rail to Refuge scheme offering free travel for people fleeing domestic abuse, and offering free rail travel for NHS workers during 2020. This is a further extension of our commitment to social justice and helping make the world a better place.”
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Travel Information for Ukrainians
Travel can be expensive in the UK; some areas are helping out by giving free bus passes to Ukrainian refugees. Check with your local council to see if they offer such a scheme. Children and older age people can also usually get free or cheap transport.
On this page
Getting to your initial destination on arrival in the uk, booking travel online, getting around in london, free bus travel in wales, coach travel, money-saving railcards.
- ‘Split and save’ train tickets
Pensioners / older people
Travel discounts on universal credit, train and tube service disruptions.
The Government has instructed travel operators to provide free transport for the first 48 hours , in order to enable you to get to your initial destination in the UK (either to your family member or your host). This means you can use any and all means of public transport (such as bus, train, Underground) to get to your destination.
You just need to show your Ukrainian passport and ticket showing date and time of arrival. Note: there does not appear to be an option to pre-book travel online for free.
See https://www.gov.uk/guidance/welcome-points-and-travelling-to-your-sponsor-homes-for-ukraine for more information.
Sometimes, it can be cheaper to pre-book travel online.
Commercially owned websites such as The Trainline allow you to plan your journey between destinations and they also show you options for coaches, not just trains. You can choose to have your tickets emailed to you as e-tickets, or pick them up from the station at ticket collection points before you travel.
Whilst these websites are convenient, they will charge you a small booking fee for their service, whereas you can book directly with the train or coach service provider to save this. So for example, you can search on the public website National Rail for the same train journey, you will be redirected to the website of the train company to book your ticket and you shouldn’t be charged a booking fee.
If you don’t have a debit card yet, buy an Oyster card (Transport for London card) from any local shop and add some money on it. The card itself will cost £5 but you can get this refunded when you no longer need the card. The disadvantage of this is that you need to have enough money on the card to pay for your journeys, so you need to keep ‘topping it up’ by buying more credit in local shops.
You can also use a contactless debit card to pay for travel; this takes the money direct from your bank account so you don’t need to ‘top up’ and is easier to manage.
The system is clever enough to work out what is the right price to charge you so that it doesn’t charge you more for a day’s travel than a travelcard would cost. Always remember to use the same card to ‘touch out’ when you finally exit at the very end of your journey as the one you used to start with, or you may be charged the wrong (highest) fare, as it assumes the worst case scenario to decide what journey you actually made.
You should register your contactless card on the Transport for London website, using this link: https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/contactless-and-oyster-account . You can then see all the journeys you have made using that card. If for some reason, you believe you have been charged the wrong fare (maybe you forgot to ‘touch out’ to complete your journey), you can request up to 3 refunds per month. You can register your card even after you have made the journeys, as it will track the last 12 months of journeys.
Buses are cheaper than the Underground tube, which is in turn cheaper than trains. For the Underground, if you need to change lines to get to your final destination, it is ‘one journey’ as long as you do not exit the barriers.
Transport for London have a journey planner which includes buses, Docklands Light Railway and the Underground.
For refugees in Wales, a free bus ticket called the ‘Welcome Ticket’ is available until 24 July 2023, when it will be reviewed again. For more information, please see https://www.traveline.wales/free-bus-travel-scheme-for-refugees-welcome-ticket/ . A large number of bus and coach companies are signed up to this.
National Express provide comfortable coaches that can be significantly cheaper than trains for travel between different cities.
Coachcards are available for young, senior and disabled people, saving you money on standard coach fares.
If you are a young person, disabled, a family, or over 60, and plan to use trains often to travel between different cities, it may be worth buying a railcard. You pay an annual fee for the railcard, and then use it to get a significant discount on what you would normally pay on the train fare, subject to the conditions of the railcard. Thus, overall, if you travel enough, this may work out to be more economical for you. Rememer to carry your railcard with you when you travel, as you may be asked to show it to the ticket inspector.
See the full range of options available and apply here: https://www.railcard.co.uk/ .
‘Split and Save’ train tickets
Sometimes, if you are travelling from one city to another, you can save money by splitting your journey into segments, where the sum of all the individual segments adds up to less than the whole journey.
You don’t need to change trains, but you will have multiple tickets issued. E.g. if you are travelling from A to B, via C, then you may have a ticket from A to C, and then a separate ticket from C to B, on the same train.
See https://support.thetrainline.com/en/support/solutions/articles/78000000442-splitsave for how it works. It’s not available for all journeys, or on all train booking websites, so it’s worth checking a website that offers the option (like https://www.thetrainline.com/ ).
If you are over 60, you can get free or discounted travel, especially on buses. Check what is available in your local area. For example, in London, you can get free travel on the underground and trains after certain times – 60+ London Oyster photocard – Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk) You will need a letter from a bank as a proof of address.
If you are on Universal Credit, you can apply for a Jobcentre Plus travel discount card, for 3 to 9 months (or 18 to 24-year-olds) or 3 to 12 months (over 25s).
You can apply for this through your Job Centre Work Coach and local Jobcentre Plus.
Children usually travel for free or discounted rates. For example, in London, children aged 11 to 15 can get a ZIP card which offers free and discounted travel: https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/free-and-discounted-travel/11-15-zip-oyster-photocard
Always check before travelling that there are no disruptions to the timetables. These could be because of:
- Industrial action / strikes by workers (these can be called at relatively short notice, and then also called off, usually just as you’ve rearranged your plans to avoid travelling!)
- Planned engineering works (these usually take place at weekends, and there may be special ‘rail replacement buses’ laid on by the rail operator between the railway stations that the trains would have serviced, but of course, a bus is much slower than a train so you would need to allow more time)
- Unexpected delays (e.g. fatalities on the railway line)
See the following links for information on train and tube services:
- https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/travel-information/industrial-action/ for planned strikes on the train network
- https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/status-and-disruptions/ for status updates on train networks, including strikes and planned engineering works, as well as any unexpected delays
- https://tfl.gov.uk/campaign/strikes for a list of planned strikes on London tube and train networks
- https://tfl.gov.uk/tube-dlr-overground/status/ for live status updates including strikes and planned engineering works on the London transport network, as well as any unexpected delays (usually rare)
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How you can help the people of Ukraine
How you can help and support the people of Ukraine.
- Ukraine (Sub-topic)
The Russian attack on Ukraine has caused the displacement of many tens of thousands of Ukrainian people from their homes and marked the onset of what could be the largest humanitarian crisis in Europe for decades.
We stand in support of the Ukrainian people who are bravely resisting this unprovoked and brutal act of war.
We understand that many people in Wales will want to do all they can to help them in their hour of need.
With many logistical routes closed and transportation systems under significant pressure, sending physical goods could add more stress to the situation on the ground.
Financial donations
Making cash donations, to organisations responding to the crisis in Ukraine, allows for emergency relief goods to be sourced locally.
You can help by donating money to the following charities:
- Disaster Emergency Committee Ukraine Appeal
Offer a home to refugees from Ukraine already in Wales
We still need safe, suitable homes for the many individuals, couples and families from Ukraine who have arrived in Wales and are currently living in temporary accommodation.
You can help by offering a place to stay in your home or a property you own .
Sponsor someone in Ukraine to come to the UK
UK Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme enables people in the UK to sponsor a visa for someone you know in Ukraine to come and live in the UK.
You must be able to provide safe and suitable accommodation for them for 6 months or more.
Find out more and record your interest in Homes for Ukraine (on GOV.UK) .
If you do not already know someone in Ukraine to sponsor, the Homes for Ukraine Reset service can help you find the best match for your household and support you through the process.
Once you know who you want to sponsor, you can help them apply for a visa under the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (on GOV.UK) .
Ukraine Family Scheme
The Ukraine Family Scheme is for people from Ukraine who have a family member in the UK.
It allows them to join their family members or extend their stay in the UK. It is free to apply and people will be able to live, work and study in the UK and access public funds.
If you have a family member from Ukraine they can to apply for a Ukraine Family Scheme visa (on GOV.UK) .
Volunteering
Once the people fleeing the war are settled in local areas they may need some material items or other local support. Communities may have a role to play in this.
At the moment we are not asking for volunteers. We are working with local authorities and voluntary organisations to set up ways people can help. Once this is done we’ll contact anyone who has expressed an interest to see how they can get involved.
To register an interest please email [email protected] . We will share your details with partners as set out in our privacy notice .
Translation and interpretation support
If you could offer interpretation or translation for Ukrainians please register your interest on the Wales Interpretation and Translation Service website .
Offering jobs
Find out how your business can offer a job or placement to those coming from Ukraine (on Business Wales) .
Find information about employing people from Ukraine , including access to education and training.
Find information about employing people from Ukraine in social care .
Helplines and support
Sponsors in Wales can call the free helpline on 0808 175 1508 for advice. The Contact Centre operates a helpline and tracking service from 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday.
For Ukrainian nationals and their families:
- United Kingdom visa and settlement support is on GOV UK .
- For help to apply to come to the United Kingdom call this number free 24 hours a day on +44 808 164 8810. Call 0808 164 8810 if you are in the UK. If you cannot contact UK 0808 numbers call +44 (0)175 390 7510.
For anyone affected by the situation in Ukraine you can contact the CALL (Community Advice & Listening Line) Mental Health helpline . It is available 24 hours a day to listen and provide support. Call 0800 132737 or text ‘Help’ to 81066.
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Scottish government ends free bus travel for asylum seekers: 'Disappointing and devastating'
Free bus travel boosted mental health and integration for asylum seekers, refugee organisations said. But the Scottish government has ended a £2million pilot
Asylum seekers were given free bus travel in Scotland under a pilot scheme. Image: V267 ESX/Flickr
Refugee organisations have criticised the Scottish government’s “disappointing and devastating” decision to end free bus travel for asylum seekers.
The scheme provided a “glimpse of hope for the future” for asylum seekers, said the leader of one charity, as the government decided to end a pilot which had run since October 2023.
Free travel reduced isolation, enhanced integration, and improved health and wellbeing for asylum seekers – who are unable to work and survive on less than £50 a week – said Ekta Marwaha, chief executive of Refugee Sanctuary Scotland.
“It is concerning and disappointing to hear this news today and we are sorry to all the asylum seekers who had been shown a glimpse of hope for the future,” Marwaha told the Big Issue.
STATEMENT ON FREE BUS TRAVEL We are extremely disappointed with the announcement by the Scottish Government to scrap the commitment to implement the Free Bus Travel pilot scheme for people seeking asylum in Scotland. @scotgov @FionaHyslop pic.twitter.com/8f2BcL5a09 — Maryhill Integration Network (@Maryhill_IN) August 19, 2024
Announced in October 2023 with £2m of funding, Scotland’s initiative inspired similar calls across the country. Oxfordshire County Council was considering bus travel for asylum seekers as of June , with one Green Party councillor branding it “performative cruelty” to deny them a bus pass.
A campaign in London has pushed Sadiq Khan to adopt a similar policy, and at a protest in February asylum seekers told the Big Issue they had missed dental appointments and struggled with education as they were unable to travel.
Scotland’s is not the only government-backed scheme to be rolled back. In Wales, a “Welcome Ticket” scheme for buses and trains which had run since March 2022 ended on 31 March – but the Welsh government said it planned a future replacement.
“This decision will have a significant negative impact for people seeking asylum in Scotland. For some, it was a last ray of hope under such difficult and hostile policies,” said the Maryhill Integration Network on X as it shared the news.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Scottish government is having to make very difficult decisions to deliver balanced and sustainable spending plans for the 2024-25 financial year, therefore it is unaffordable to progress piloting free bus travel for all people seeking asylum in Scotland.
“People seeking asylum in Scotland who are currently eligible for free bus travel through the National Concessionary Travel Schemes, including those under 22 and over 60 years of age and those with disabilities, will continue to be able to make use of their entitlement.
“We remain committed to supporting people seeking asylum, refugees and communities through the New Scots refugee integration strategy approach. We want to work collaboratively with the UK government to contribute ideas that build on shared priorities and where possible provide evidence of impacts and needs. By working together and sharing learning, there is great potential for tangible improvements to be made for refugees and people seeking asylum living in the UK.”
Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more . Big Issue exists to give homeless and marginalised people the opportunity to earn an income. To support our work buy a copy of the magazine or get the app from the App Store or Google Play .
- Asylum seekers
- environment and community
- public transport
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IMAGES
COMMENTS
You will now need to pay for travel on bus and train services in Wales. You may be eligible for one of the free or discounted travel schemes also available if you are: 60 years or over. a disabled passenger. a child or young person. For further information on these and other discounted travel tickets please see Traveline Cymru or contact your ...
The scheme will help the refugees while they are settling in Wales, with the free travel scheme running for 6 months. Ukrainian nationals can claim free travel by showing a Ukraine passport to conductors and station staff. The scheme is an extension of an ongoing Welsh Government programme which provides free public transport for asylum seekers ...
17 March 2022. BBC. Transport for Wales provides most of Wales' trains - including key commuter services. Refugees from Ukraine can now travel for free on rail services across Wales, the first ...
The two schemes, which are announced today, underline Wales' commitment to be a Nation of Sanctuary to people fleeing conflict and abuse around the world. The Welcome Ticket, which will be available to refugees and people arriving from Ukraine, will cover the majority of bus services running in Wales and builds on the free six-month rail ...
The First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford has announced that from today, refugees fleeing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine can travel for free on Transport for Wales services. The scheme will help the refugees while they are settling in Wales, with the free travel scheme running for six months. Ukrainian nationals can claim free travel by ...
First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford has announced that from today, refugees fleeing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine can travel for free on Transport for Wales services. The scheme will help the refugees while they are settling in Wales, with the free travel scheme running for six months. Ukrainian nationals can claim free travel by […]
From 8 May, Ukrainian refugees will have access to free bus travel across Wales. Deputy Minister for Climate Change Lee Waters said: "This is a major step forward in ensuring refugees and people ...
Mark Drakeford said refugees can travel for free on Transport for Wales services for the next six months. The scheme is an extension of an ongoing Welsh Government programme which provides free public transport for asylum seekers in Wales. They will be able to claim free travel by showing a Ukraine passport to conductors and station staff.
The free travel scheme for refugees provides unlimited travel on: All Transport for Wales rail services, boarding and alighting at TfW stations in both England and Wales *. bus services that cross into England if starting or finishing in Wales. all local bus services. *Please note: This scheme is valid on TfW services between two TfW stations only.
The free travel scheme started on 26 March 2022 and will continue until 31 March 2024. Arrangements for after 31 March 2024 are being considered. The scheme provides unlimited travel on: the majority of local bus services; Transport for Wales rail services across Wales; bus and Transport for Wales train services that start AND finish in Wales
Refugees, asylum seekers or people from Ukraine will also be offered free individual or family entry to all Cadw site across Wales. 'This offer will be in place until 25 October, ensuring all those who come to Wales seeking sanctuary will have the opportunity to view and visit Welsh cultural and heritage sites across the country free of charge ...
Wales-wide services . Free bus and train valid until 31 March 2023 (when this will be reviewed). Free ESOL courses through Adult Learning Wales Hubs in Newport, Cardiff, Wrexham, and Swansea.; The Welsh Government has created a website for sanctuary seekers in Wales with a dedicated section on Ukraine. Find out about your rights, life in Wales and services available to you.
In Wales, guests can travel on bus or rail services for free for the first 6 months after their arrival. They will need to show transport staff their passport or UK government permission to travel ...
Ukrainian nationals can claim free travel by showing a Ukraine passport to conductors and station staff. The scheme is an extension of an ongoing Welsh Government programme which provides free public transport for asylum seekers in Wales, as part of its ambition to become the world's first Nation of Sanctuary as endorsed by the United Nations.
Transport for Wales has confirmed Ukrainian refugees will be able to access free travel while they are settling in Wales by showing a Ukraine passport to conductors and station staff for a period of six months. The scheme is an extension of an ongoing Welsh Government programme, which provides free public transport for asylum seekers in Wales ...
For Ukrainian refugees, getting around in London can be done with an Oyster card, or more conveniently with a bank debit card. Some regions offer free travel. ... Free bus travel in Wales. For refugees in Wales, a free bus ticket called the 'Welcome Ticket' is available until 24 July 2023, when it will be reviewed again. ...
Refugees from Sudan in Wales have been denied free rail travel after staff wrongly told them a new scheme was available only to those from Ukraine. Last week, the Welsh government said all ...
Non-Ukrainian Swansea refugee refused free train travel. 25 May 2022. "I was told I was the wrong type of refugee". A Kurdish refugee has said he was wrongly barred from using a free travel pass ...
In addition, Transport for Wales (TfW) has established a free travel scheme to enable people from Ukraine (and other refugees) to travel free on any TfW services, after showing their passport or other immigration status documentation to conductors and station staff. The Welsh Government has also worked with bus operators to develop a voluntary ...
A new law has come into force in Hungary which threatens to push thousands of Ukrainian refugees on to the streets or back to Ukraine. The regulation restricts state support for Ukrainians to ...
Helplines and support. Sponsors in Wales can call the free helpline on 0808 175 1508 for advice. The Contact Centre operates a helpline and tracking service from 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday. For Ukrainian nationals and their families: United Kingdom visa and settlement support is on GOV UK.
Refugee organisations have criticised the Scottish government's "disappointing and devastating" decision to end free bus travel for asylum seekers. The scheme provided a "glimpse of hope for the future" for asylum seekers, said the leader of one charity, as the government decided to end a pilot which had run since October 2023.
Campaigners previously said free bus travel would help prevent isolation among people in the asylum system, allowing them to more easily attend GPs, solicitors, language lessons and volunteering ...