Sheffield City Council has approved a 29-week pilot scheme that will provide free bus and tram travel for young people aged five to 18 living in the city. The trial is set to begin on February 15, 2027, and is estimated to cost £7.6 million.
Council leader Fran Belbin stated that the initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden on families and grant greater independence to thousands of young residents. "The cost of a bus or tram journey should never be what stops a young person from getting to college, taking up an apprenticeship, joining a sports club or simply spending time with friends," Belbin said.
The pilot program is strategically timed to conclude in September 2027, coinciding with the launch of a region-wide free travel scheme for the same age group, spearheaded by South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard. This local pilot was developed in collaboration with the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, incorporating insights from Barnsley's MiCard scheme, which previously led to an increase in passenger numbers, particularly in less affluent areas.
Eligible participants will utilize a dedicated smartcard to access the service. The usage patterns, journey data, costs, and overall impact on the transport network will be meticulously monitored to evaluate the pilot's effectiveness.