More than half a million journeys have been made via the scheme, significantly increasing public transport use and taking private vehicles off the roads.
The initiative was introduce by Barnsley MBC and South Yorkshire Combined Authority earlier this summer. The two councils respectively contributed £5 million and £1million in funding.
As of late-November 500,901 trips had seen children and young people aged between 5 and 18 take advantage of the initiative, which offers free bus travel on any journey within Barnsley and South Yorkshire Monday to Sunday, from 7AM to 9PM.
Uptake is set increase in the coming weeks, with almost 17,000 passengers now waiting for a MiCard and more applications being receive by the day. As a result, across Barnsley bus travel grown by 54% from 1st August to 31st October compared with the same period in 2024, including non-MiCard trips. Of those using the scheme, 60% of boardings are took place in the borough’s three most deprived neighbourhoods.
‘In Barnsley, we are committed to making sure that all our children and young people have the best possible start in life. With over half a million Barnsley MiCard journeys made already, the scheme is making a huge difference to our young residents and families,’ said Cllr Sir Steve Houghton CBE, Leader of Barnsley Council,
‘By providing free bus travel for under 18s, it’s not only helping to ease financial pressures on families but also ensuring that children and young people in Barnsley have access to all the opportunities our borough and South Yorkshire have to offer,’ he continued. ‘The fact that more than two-thirds of journeys are being made in our most deprived neighbourhoods shows that this scheme is making a real difference where it’s needed most.’
Image: Reinaldo / Unsplash
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