Sheffield councillors will vote next week on a proposed pilot offering free bus and tram travel to children and young people aged five to 18. Supporters say it could reduce transport-cost barriers and improve access to education, training, work, leisure and social opportunities.

If approved, the scheme would run from 15 February to 5 September 2027 and be developed with the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority. Eligible residents would use a dedicated smartcard; existing Zoom, under-16 and 16–18 passholders would receive one automatically, while others could apply online. The proposal will be considered by the council’s Strategy and Resources Policy Committee on 2 September and builds on Barnsley’s MiCard scheme.