MICARD IS COMING BACK TO BARNSLEY WITH FREE BUS TRAVEL FOR UNDER 18S

Published 18 June 2025 at 3:09pm

We are excited to announce the return of the Barnsley MiCard travel pass, which will enable free bus travel for under 18s in Barnsley from Friday 1 August 2025. This morning, we also officially unveiled the card design on the new Library @ the Lightbox artwork which celebrates the upcoming scheme.  

Barnsley MiCard is a name known to many residents in Barnsley – the card was in circulation between 2009 and 2017, allowing children and young people in Barnsley discounted bus travel. Barnsley's Great Childhoods Ambition is to support all children and young people in the borough by providing them with the foundation for a successful future. 

Barnsley MiCard will be available to anyone living in Barnsley aged 5 to 18. Young people will be able to 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 means that children and young people from Barnsley will be able to get to opportunities and attractions not only across the borough but also in Sheffield, Rotherham and Doncaster for free. 

Current holders of Zoom travel passes will start receiving their brand-new Barnsley MiCard through the post very soon. Everyone else will be able to apply via post or online on the Travel South Yorkshire website from Monday 7 July. 

The scheme, which will run for two years, was made possible thanks to Barnsley Council's £5 million investment, alongside an additional funding of up to £1 million from South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority. 

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

"We are thrilled to be bringing back the Barnsley MiCard, a scheme that will significantly benefit our young residents.  

“By providing free bus travel for under 18s, we are not only easing financial pressures on families but also ensuring that our children and young people have access to all the opportunities our borough and South Yorkshire has to offer.  

“This initiative is a testament to our commitment to creating great childhoods and supporting the future of Barnsley. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this will have on our community." 

Oliver Coppard, Mayor of South Yorkshire, said:

"Being able to get to education, jobs and training, as well as get out and about to see friends and family, is something we should all be able to take for granted. 

"That's why I'm pleased to work with Barnsley Council to launch the Barnsley MiCard - a bold step toward making transport more accessible for young people. I've invested £1 million to make real my ambition to roll out a free travel scheme in Barnsley, that will act as a pilot for young people across the whole of South Yorkshire. 

"I want our young people to have the best start in life. Through this innovative new pilot for under-18s, we'll be able to support young people to stay near and go far." 

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