The first 500,000 journeys made by children and young people using Barnsley MiCard

We are excited to announce a major milestone for the Barnsley MiCard scheme, with 500,901 journeys made by children and young people since its launch in August.

Earlier this summer, together with the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, we launched Barnsley MiCard free bus travel scheme for anyone aged 5 to 18 living in Barnsley, giving access to enjoy 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. 

Part of our Great Childhoods Ambition, this scheme 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.

Some of the other key highlights include:

• 16,842 children and young people have or are in the process of receiving their Barnsley MiCard, with a number continuing to rise each week.
• Total child and young people travel in Barnsley (including journeys with and without Barnsley MiCard), across all bus operators, from the 1 August to 31 October 2025 has now reached 769,000, an increase of 54% compared to the same period in 2024.
• Scheme is particularly benefiting those who need it most, with 60% of all boardings occurring in the borough’s three most deprived neighbourhoods.
• The most popular route is the 66 service from Barnsley to Elsecar.

Councillor Sir Steve Houghton CBE, Leader of Barnsley Council, said: “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.

“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.

“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. We look forward to building on the success of this scheme and encourage anyone who hasn’t signed up for their Barnsley MiCard yet, to do so and enjoy the benefits of it.”

Oliver Coppard, Mayor of South Yorkshire, said: “I’ve been determined to bring back free travel for under 18s, and I’m delighted that young people in Barnsley are already feeling the benefits - with over half a million free journeys made using Barnsley MiCard. I’ve seen for myself how the MiCard pilot is changing lives, and that change shouldn’t stop at Barnsley. It should be for every young person right across South Yorkshire.

“I want our young people to have the freedom and confidence to get to school, college, apprenticeships, jobs - and to meet friends and explore new opportunities, all using public transport. Every young person deserves that chance without cost holding them back.

“This pilot is helping to make that vision a reality. It’s one of the reasons we’re taking buses back into public control from 2027 - to put passengers first and make public transport work better for everyone, so no one is left behind.”

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, 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.

For more about the Barnsley MiCard scheme and applications, including frequently asked questions, please visit the Travel South Yorkshire website.