Barnsley Council launches free bus travel for children and young people

From today, children and young people across our borough are able to enjoy free bus travel with the brand-new Barnsley MiCard.

Anyone aged 5 to 18 living in Barnsley can access free bus travel from Monday to Sunday, between 7am and 9pm, as long as the journey starts or ends in Barnsley local authority area and is within South Yorkshire. This is one of the first initiatives of its kind in England, enabling children and young people become more independent, develop life skills, and connect with friends, family, and the many opportunities available across our borough and South Yorkshire.

8,768 current holders of Zoom travel passes have received their brand-new Barnsley MiCard earlier this summer. Applications for everyone else have launched in early July and since then, we’ve seen over 2,600 applications, bringing the total number of Barnsley MiCard travel pass holders to nearly 11,400 across the borough.

The total number of Barnsley MiCard travel pass holders will continue to increase as applications remain open, and people can apply via post or online on the Travel South Yorkshire website.

Councillor Sir Steve Houghton CBE, Leader of Barnsley Council, said: “We are excited to be able to invest and bring back the Barnsley MiCard, providing free bus travel for children and young people across our borough. 

“This initiative is a significant step towards improving accessibility and mobility for our younger residents, ensuring they can travel easily and affordably. 

“We are committed to creating great childhoods in Barnsley and believe this scheme will have a positive impact on their daily lives, helping them access education, leisure activities, and other essential services.”

Oliver Coppard, Mayor of South Yorkshire, said: “I remember just how much of a difference the MiCard made for our young people in Barnsley – opening doors to jobs, to training, to seeing mates and community life. Since it ended, getting around has been harder. That’s why I’ve been so determined to bring back free travel for under 18s, not just in Barnsley but, I hope, across South Yorkshire.

"Today marks the launch of our two-year pilot - a bold step forward and one of the first schemes of its kind in the country. Because our young people deserve the best start in life. And giving them the freedom to get to where they need to be - without cost being a barrier - is one way we can help make that happen.”

The scheme builds on our collective Great Childhoods Ambition to support all children and young people in the borough by providing them with the foundation for a successful future. It will run for two years with a view of becoming a South Yorkshire wide scheme.

Barnsley MiCard scheme was made possible thanks to £5 million investment from Barnsley Council, alongside an additional funding of up to £1 million from South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority. 

All local bus operators in Barnsley, including Stagecoach, Globe Holidays, South Pennine Community Transport, Hodgsons Travel, Marsland Travel, Chad Healey European, LL Travel and Wilfreda Beehive are participating in the scheme. Passengers can use Barnsley MiCard on services provided by any of these operators where the route is on the public network.

More information about the Barnsley MiCard scheme and applications, including frequently asked questions, is available on the Travel South Yorkshire website.