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

    • 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.

  • Who can use the free travel scheme

    • 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    • Fraudulent use will result in free transport being withdrawn immediately and reported to the relevant authorities.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.