Council to vote on under-18s free travel scheme
Sheffield City Council will consider a pilot offering free bus and tram travel to residents aged five to 18, aiming to remove transport-cost barriers to education, training, work and leisure. If approved, the scheme could improve young people’s independence and access to opportunities, including for those with special educational needs and disabilities.
The proposed pilot would run from 15 February 2027, during the February half-term, until 5 September 2027, and has been developed with the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority. Eligible children would use a dedicated smartcard; existing Zoom, under-16 and 16-18 pass holders would receive one automatically, while others could apply online. Councillors are due to consider the plan on 2 September.
- Sheffield may trial free travel for under-18s in 2027.
- The scheme would cover buses and trams.
- Councillors will vote on the proposal next week.
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Sheffield City Council provides local services in the city, while the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority works across the wider region on issues including public transport. Buses and trams are part of the network young people use to get to school, training, work and other activities.
The proposal concerns residents aged five to 18 and would use a dedicated smartcard for travel. Existing holders of certain Zoom and age-based travel passes would receive a card automatically; other eligible young people could apply online. The pilot is intended to reduce the cost of travel and may affect how easily young people, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, can reach opportunities.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A free travel pilot could remove a direct cost that limits young people’s access to school, training, work and social activities. It may widen opportunities and independence, including for those with special educational needs or disabilities, while a time-limited trial would let the council assess how well the scheme works.
The case against
The council could reasonably question whether subsidising travel for all eligible young people is the best use of limited public funds, particularly if the benefits could be achieved through more targeted support. A pilot may also create administrative and transport costs, so councillors may want evidence that increased access justifies the expense and that the scheme can be delivered effectively.