Ukrainian refugees will be able to use the train free of charge in Belgium, announced railway company SNCB in a press release on Tuesday.
Together with other European railway companies, SNCB wants to show its solidarity by making this journey as smooth and safe as possible for refugees from Ukraine. Therefore, they can use SNCB's train services free of charge from today (Tuesday).
"Today, I thank SNCB, which responded positively to my appeal by joining the European railway companies and making train journeys free for all Ukrainian refugees," said Federal Mobility Minister Georges Gilkinet. "Every gesture counts in responding to this humanitarian emergency."
Deeply grateful to the @SNCB to allow free travel on its network for all Ukrainian refugees. Every gesture of solidarity counts. More than ever, mobility means freedom. #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/O1xFQTqI1h
— Gilki (@GeorgesGilkinet) March 1, 2022
SNCB is not the first railway company to make its trains free of charge for Ukrainian refugees. Deutsche Bahn, the Austrian railway company ÖBB and the Dutch company NS, among others, have already made similar announcements, as has HST operator Thalys.
Additionally, the Brussels-Central station will be symbolically decorated in yellow and blue from Tuesday evening, in solidarity with the population and the affected families, and in the hope that peace will soon be restored.
On Wednesday, Eurostar announced it would also be transporting Ukrainians to London from Brussels, Paris, Lille or Amsterdam with its high-speed trains. They will be able to board the trains from these stations for free.
Update: if you are a Ukrainian national travelling to the UK with a valid visa, we can offer a free Eurostar ticket to London. Find out more: https://t.co/12go77gVpW
— Eurostar (@Eurostar) March 2, 2022
Ukrainians do need a valid visa for the United Kingdom and their Ukrainian passport. Who speaks with a Eurostar employee at one of the departure stations with these documents, will receive a ticket for London.
