All Ukrainian refugees travelling to Germany and Austria can ride for free on long-distance trains, according to transport authorities in both countries.
In Germany, the public national railway company, Deutsche Bahn, made the announcement on Sunday and stated that it was collaborating with railways in Poland to place additional special carriages and trains on the rails in case Ukrainians, fleeing war, arrive in huge numbers.
"As of now, refugees with Ukrainian passports or identity cards can use all long-distance trains from Poland to Germany free of charge. We want to make it easier for refugees to continue their journey from the border and within Germany," the company wrote on Twitter.
Ab sofort können Geflüchtete mit ukrainischem Pass oder Personalausweis kostenlos alle Fernzüge aus Polen in Richtung Deutschland nutzen. Damit wollen wir Flüchtenden die Weiterreise ab der Grenze und innerhalb Deutschlands erleichtern. Info: https://t.co/mNcqXQBj68 #Ukraine
— Deutsche Bahn AG (@DB_Presse) February 27, 2022
The company said it is also in close contact with the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs, federal and state authorities and its partner railways not only in neighbouring Poland but also in the Czech Republic and Austria.
Six Eurocity long-distance trains from Poland to Germany run every day on a regular basis, and all pass the Frankfurt/Oder border crossing. The long-distance trains have their starting points in Warsaw, Gdansk, Przemysl (border to Ukraine)/Krakow, Vienna/Wroclaw.
The German government has said, for its part, that it is willing to take in Ukrainians and provide massive assistance to countries that border on Ukraine, particularly Poland.
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Austria’s Transport Minister Leonore Gewessler said on Sunday that she had concluded an agreement with the OeBB public railway company for the Ukrainians to use its trains without tickets.
“Ukrainians who are fleeing from war can use OeBB trains in Austria without a ticket,” she tweeted. “In times like this, it is our responsibility to help fast and unbureaucratically. And that is exactly what we are doing.”
Ukrainians who are fleeing from war can use @unsereoebb trains in #Austria without a ticket. In times like this, it is our responsibility to help fast and unbuerocraticly. And that is exactly what we are doing. 🇺🇦 #Ukraine
— Leonore Gewessler (@lgewessler) February 27, 2022
