Refugees fleeing the conflict in the Ukraine can get free onward travel to their final destinations on the Tyne and Wear Metro from Sunday.
It is part of the national scheme announced by the transport industry to provide them with support. Refugees will be entitled to a free one-way journey from the point of arrival in Britain in order to reach their accommodation.
The aim is to provide help to Ukrainians when they arrive the UK after fleeing the conflict in their homeland. The offer will be in place for an initial three-month period, then subject to review.
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They need to show a Ukrainian passport and a boarding pass or ticket showing arrival into the country within the last 48 hours.
Chair of the North East Joint Transport Committee, Coun Martin Gannon, said: “I very much welcome this new scheme, which will be of great assistance to the many thousands of Ukrainian people who have been forced to flee their country due to the Russian invasion.
“This offer will entitle the refugees to a free journey on Metro, should they need it, on arrival at Newcastle Airport in order to reach their onward place of accommodation. We want to do all that we can to support the Ukrainian people in their time of need.
“North East England has a proud track record of coming to the aid of refugees and this will continue in the wake of the ongoing conflict in the Ukraine, which has displaced millions of people.”
