Anti-social children could lose free bus passes

Young people involved in anti-social behaviour at Barnsley Interchange could lose their free travel passes, the council has warned.

It comes after two 15-year-old boys were arrested over an assault on a man on 29 August.

Barnsley Council's cabinet spokesperson for communities Sam Burdett told a meeting earlier this week that young people's MiCards were "a privilege, not a right" and that their eligibility could be reviewed.

"As these benefits are supported in part by local taxpayers, they should be valued and respected," Burdett said.

He said he had accompanied wardens in the town centre in recent weeks and said work was ongoing to tackle anti-social behaviour, the Local Democracy Service reports.

"Barnsley is a great place to live and visit," he said.

"We will not allow the actions of a small minority to become the norm or undermine the hard-earned reputation of our town and communities."

The MiCard scheme which provides free bus travel for under-18s in Barnsley was launched in August 2025.

The council said the scheme was one of the first initiatives of its kind in England and enabled children to become more independent and develop life skills.

Councillor Steve Houghton, who was the authority's leader at the time, said it not only "eased financial pressures on families" but also opened up "greater access for children and young people to the many opportunities available across Barnsley and South Yorkshire".

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