Free National Express travel to support domestic abuse survivors
Women’s Aid has announced a new ‘Road to Refuge’ scheme in partnership with coach company National Express. The scheme provides women, men and children escaping domestic abuse with access to free coach travel to reach safe refuge accommodation and support. Under the scheme the support is arranged via a local domestic abuse service and/or the refuge the client has been referred to. This follows a similar arrangement with the UK rail network known as ‘Rail to Refuge.’
How does the scheme work?
- A survivor reaches out for support from a domestic abuse service which is a member of Women’s Aid Federation of England, Imkaan, Scottish Women’s Aid or Welsh Women’s Aid (including Respect’s Men’s Advice Line).
- If appropriate, the survivor will be referred to a refuge and will be informed once a refuge vacancy has been confirmed.
- The refuge books a free train or coach ticket for the survivor.
- The refuge can send the ticket and collection details to the survivor via a mobile phone. The survivor can then either use an e-ticket or text sent to their mobile phone, pick the ticket up from the station using any debit or credit card, or the refuge can request the ticket via post and provide it to the survivor in person. They can travel like normal, without having to declare the ticket was free or that they are fleeing from domestic abuse.
You can read more about the Road to Refuge scheme on the Women’s Aid website for national trains below:
