The Transport Secretary has today (18 December 2022) announced
the extension of a travel scheme helping Ukrainian evacuees reach
safety in the UK.
For a further 6 months, the free onward travel
scheme will continue to grant all Ukrainian evacuees
arriving in the UK one free journey either by rail, coach, tube
or bus to reach their final destination.
The Department for Transport is working closely with operators to
ensure support for Ukrainian arrivals is in place across the
country.
The scheme is providing vital support to those who need it the
most and today’s extension means passengers will continue to be
protected should the situation in Ukraine escalate any further.
Transport Secretary said:
We know, for those who have had to flee their homes in Ukraine
and find sanctuary in the UK, this support has been vital, making
the difficult journey to safety in some part easier.
We will continue to do all we can to stand with Ukraine and
Ukrainians, and this scheme is an important first gesture on
their arrival in our country.
So far, over 2,900 Ukrainian evacuees have used the vital scheme,
which has made it easier for Ukrainians fleeing war to reach
safety and sanctuary in the UK.
The Transport Secretary is writing to rail, bus and coach
operators to thank them for their generosity in facilitating the
scheme and for their willingness to continue offering it.
The department has been widely informed by scheme partners that
onward travel is a commonly requested area of support for
refugees and the free onward travel scheme has made a huge
difference for those fleeing Ukraine, following the illegal
Russian invasion.
The scheme, which was launched in March 2022, provides Ukrainian
arrivals with a single no cost onward public transport journey
within 48 hours of arrival at major English entry ports to their
final destination in the UK.
