Women's Aid has launched a new ‘rail to refuge' scheme, allowing women fleeing from domestic abuse to apply for free trial travel to refuge accommodation.
This new scheme has been supported by train operators Southeastern and Great Western Railway.
The advice for women escaping domestic abuse is to head as far away as possible. However, for many women, raising the funds for a train ticket can be very difficult.
Women's Aid is working with Southeastern and Great Western Railway to remove this barrier to offer free train travel.
Member services of Women's Aid, Imkaan and Welsh Women's Aid will be able to obtain free tickets through bespoke booking services. This is valid for journeys within the Southeastern and Great Western Railway network, which includes South Wales, Kent and London.
The ‘rail to refuge' scheme was introduced by Southeastern in 2019 and has already helped a number of women to escape domestic abuse.
For journeys starting or ending at a Southeastern or GWR station, Women's Aid members can arrange free train tickets by contacting membership@womensaid.org.uk
What did the officials say?
Adina Claire, Acting co-Chief Executive of Women's Aid, said:
“We're delighted to launch the ‘rail to refuge' scheme to support women fleeing domestic abuse. Access to cash is a major barrier for women escaping an abusive partner, and free train travel will be one less thing for these women to worry about at a time of acute crisis.
I'd like to thank Great Western Railway and Southeastern for supporting this initiative, and encourage other rail companies to contact Women's Aid if they'd like to join the scheme and help us support women fleeing domestic abuse.”
Southeastern station manager, Darren O'Brien said:
“I was extremely moved by the Dispatches documentary and asked whether we at Southeastern could do anything to help. When we introduced the ‘rail to refuge' scheme last year, we knew that it was only a small thing for us but would make an enormous difference to women escaping domestic abuse. It's fantastic that other train operators are following in our footsteps.”
GWR Business Assurance Director Joe Graham said:
“The railway is much more than trains and rail track; it is about supporting the communities that it serves.
“Many of those trapped are unable to flee from their abusers because they have no means by which to do so. Now, with what is such a simple idea, we are able to help provide that means.”
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Well done Southeastern. Plus what will happen to Southeastern if Govia was to lose the Southeastern franchise (formerly was known as Integrated Kent franchise) when HS1 was built. And Southeastern ordered 29 Class 395 Javelin stocks which are being used on domestic highspeed commuter services from London St. Pancras International to Stratford International, Canterbury West, Canterbury East, Maidstone West, Maidstone East, Rochester, Dover Priory, Folkestone Central, Ashford International, Gravesend, Ebbsfleet International, Gillingham, Rainham, Faversham, Ramsgate, Sandwich and Margate.
Potential bidders for the Southeastern franchise if required or requested in later date.
Trenitalia (even though they pulled out of the bid but could come back to bid for take over)
Abellio or Abellio/Mitsui+JR East or Abellio-
Serco
DB Arriva Group
Alstom Group
First Group or First+MTR
MTR Corporations
Serco
Kent County Council+DfT (open access)
Stagecoach (even though they probably wouldn’t bid for the take over since losing the East Midlands & Virgin Trains West Coast franchises)
Or Southeastern franchise to be extended again by Govia/Go-Ahead for another 7-8 years
I hope that it’s open to all suffering domestic abuse, whilst I applaud this, it must be remembered that domestic abuse both physical or mental happens too both sexes