Free Bus Passes for new (Ukrainian) Refugees - 6mths

We write on behalf of a number of hosts who are supporting Ukrainian refugees that have arrived or will be arriving under the government's resettlement scheme.

Many individuals, community organisations and businesses have taken steps to welcome and assist refugees arriving in the District (under the Homes for Ukraine scheme and indeed under other refugee resettlement initiatives). This generous offer from hosts alone is a testament to the decency and kindness of the communities  and to the respect and dignity that hosts and members of our community believe refugees deserve. Services like Stagecoach are a critical part of the infrastructure that is needed.

The reason we are reaching out to you is because the Homes for Ukraine scheme presents a particular challenge for all Districts and we are hoping that you can take steps to help remedy some of those challenges. At present, over half of the hosts that are due to accommodate Ukrainian refugees reside in homes outside  City Centres. While there are some support services within the wider district, the core services and activities that refugees will need to access to meet many of their basic needs, are in City Centres or nearby, services like Citizen's Advice, Job Centres, Healthcare services, including the hospital, counselling support, food banks, children's services etc Some hosts, who have had refugees arrive already, are finding that the logistical challenge of travel for their guests is exacerbated by the relatively high cost of bus travel from parts of the District. One example given is the cost of around £750 per year for a bus pass - a cost that is prohibitive to refugees meeting their basic needs and accessing core services.

Travel challenges are well recognised to be key barriers to refugees accessing service and barriers to their successful integration. If refugees do not have the means to access public transport they may not be able to access legal advice, housing advice, healthcare, council services, english language support etc in addition, lack of access to public transport poses a risk to those that may not feel safe in their living situation and are trapped by their circumstances. It can also impact mental and physical health of refugees by socially isolating and marginalising people in communities. Overcoming these types of barriers is important for all refugees settling in the District, including those under last year's Afghanistan schemes and any future schemes.

We implore Stagecoach to reconsider their earlier decision and take steps without delay to make bus travel free for all refugees, in our district, for at least the first six months they reside here. This would enable refugees to access core services without travel posing a barrier, help to facilitate integration and help refugees not to have relationships of dependency on their hosts, many of whom may work and not be available to take refugees to and from appointments or to effectively be a taxi service. Hosts have already been incredibly generous in opening up their homes to refugees and we would welcome Stagecoach reciprocating with their own generosity. The numbers that will actually access free services would likely be limited, but the impact would be huge and it would of course demonstrate in a very powerful way the values of Stagecoach as an organisation. An organisation that prides itself on facilitating access for all. Surely, this must include refugees too?  We have previously written to Stagecoach with this request but were told this was not possible. We trust you will reconsider your position in light of the very clear barriers refugees face in the district and that we foresee in the near future.