The Mayoral Combined Authority has agreed to offer free travel passes from the 1st October to people taking part in selected employment support schemes across South Yorkshire.
£330,000 is being made available to offer time limited free travel on public transport to eligible participants in the following schemes:
- The Working Win Health Led Employment Trial
- The Work and Health Programme
- Pathways to Progression
- Pathways to Success
The free passes will be made available to support people accessing these schemes and transitioning into work.
The four employment schemes have so far supported approximately 7000 people who are either out of work or struggling in employment due to a physical or mental health condition.
Dan Jarvis, Mayor of the Sheffield City Region, said: “We have some innovative and ground-breaking schemes across our region that are supporting people each day to return to and stay in work. Working Win, for example, has so far supported more than 4000 people to find or stay in work whilst living with a health condition.
“If we can make this transition even easier by offering time limited free travel on public transport, then we will enhance the prospects for getting people back to work. The cost of transport can be significant factor which prevents people from returning to work or holding down a job. I’m proud that we’ve been able to fund supporting people back into work which will help build a more inclusive economy where no one is excluded.
Steve Edwards, Executive Director for South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, said: “Public transport provides essential connections to places of work – opening up new opportunities. It is often the easiest and most convenient way for people to travel around the region and access jobs. We’re pleased to be able to offer free passes to people returning to employment and support them with their travel to and from work arising from these employment support schemes. We hope this initiative will make it easier for people to move into work and stay in work and create regular public transport users.”
