Decision

1. 1

The Committee considered a report of the Strategic Director of Children's Services seeking approval for Sheffield City Council to participate in a 29-week pilot providing free bus and tram travel for Sheffield residents aged 5 to 18 from 15 February 2027, the start of the February half-term, to 05 September 2027.

The proposal has been developed in partnership with the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and builds on learning from the Barnsley MiCard scheme. The pilot aims to improve access to education, training, employment, leisure activities and wider opportunities by removing transport costs as a barrier for children and young people.

The recommended option is a 5–18 bus and tram pilot. The report stated that officers consider this provides the best balance between supporting access to opportunities, inclusion and affordability when compared with the alternative options considered.

1. 2

RESOLVED: That Strategy and Resources Policy Committee:-

(a) approves Sheffield City Council's participation in a 29-week pilot providing free bus and tram travel for Sheffield residents aged 5 to 18 from 15 February 2027 to 05 September 2027;

(b) notes the proposed Council expenditure of up to £8m towards the reimbursement cost of the 29-week pilot. The current estimated reimbursement cost is £7.6m, however costs may increase depending on actual scheme usage and final operator reimbursement rates. It is anticipated that this funding will be provided to SYMCA to enable reimbursement of transport operators in respect of eligible journeys;

(c) delegates authority to the Strategic Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Director of Finance and Commercial Services, to approve the Council awarding a grant to SYMCA for an amount not exceeding £8m for the reimbursement of transport operators in connection with the delivery of the 29-week pilot as set out in this report. This reflects a current estimated reimbursement cost of £7.6m, with additional headroom to allow for higher than anticipated demand and final operator reimbursement rates;

(d) notes the pilot will be delivered in partnership with SYMCA, who will lead on programme administration, implementation arrangements, pass production and customer management activities associated with the pilot. The costs of those activities, currently estimated at £2m, will be met directly by SYMCA; and

(e) notes that a further report will be brought forward setting out the findings of the pilot and any recommendations regarding future arrangements beyond the pilot period.

1. 3

Reasons for Decision

1. 3.1

The proposed pilot supports the Council's ambitions to reduce inequalities, improve access to opportunities and remove transport-related barriers for children and young people across Sheffield.

1. 3.2

The proposal has been informed by engagement with young people, evidence from the Barnsley MiCard scheme and development work undertaken in partnership with SYMCA.

1. 3.3

A time-limited pilot will enable the Council and its partners to assess demand, understand operational and financial impacts, and evaluate outcomes before considering whether any longer-term arrangements should be explored beyond the pilot period

1. 3.4

The proposal will also contribute to the wider evidence base being developed across South Yorkshire and help inform consideration of any future regional arrangements for free travel for children and young people.

1. 4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

1. 4.1

Option 1 – 5–16 Bus and Tram Scheme

This option would reduce the overall cost of the pilot, with current modelling estimating a cost of approximately £4.4m compared with £7.6m for a 5–18 scheme.

However, this option would exclude a significant cohort of young people in post-16 education, apprenticeships and training and would create a different offer to that operating in Barnsley.

For these reasons, this option is not recommended.

1. 4.2

Option 2 – 5–18 Bus Only Scheme

This option would reduce costs, with current modelling estimating a cost of approximately £6.1m compared with £7.6m for a bus and tram offer.

However, feedback from young people demonstrated strong support for the inclusion of tram travel. Excluding tram travel would create a more limited offer and reduce accessibility for some users.

For these reasons, this option is not recommended.

1. 4.3

Option 3 – 5–21 Bus and Tram Scheme

This option would extend eligibility to young adults aged up to 21.

Current modelling estimates a cost of approximately £12.7m for a 29-week pilot, compared with £7.6m for the recommended 5–18 option.

Whilst this would increase the number of beneficiaries, the additional cost is significant and would substantially increase the financial commitment required from the Council. The additional benefits are not considered sufficient to justify the level of additional expenditure when compared with the recommended option.

In addition, SYMCA is currently developing proposals for a South Yorkshire-wide free travel scheme based on the 5–18 age range. Extending the Sheffield pilot to age 21 could therefore require the Council to continue funding travel for 18–21-year-olds beyond the pilot period should a regional scheme be introduced.

For these reasons, this option is not recommended.

1. 4.4

Option 4 – Do Nothing

This option would avoid any additional financial commitment by the Council.

However, it would not address the transport barriers identified by young people, would not support the Council's wider ambitions around inclusion and access to opportunities, and would not enable Sheffield to contribute to the evidence base being developed across South Yorkshire.

For these reasons, this option is not recommended.

(NOTE: The result of the vote on the resolution was For – 14, Against – 0, Abstentions – 3).