Liverpool primary school goes the distance with free public transport partnership
A Liverpool primary school is reaping the rewards of a free public transport offer set up by Liverpool School Sports Partnership (LSSP) and is urging others to get on board.
Whitefield Primary School, Everton, uses LSSP’s free bus tickets, offered in partnership with Arriva UK Bus, for its pupils to attend sports events and festivals hosted by the not-for-profit organisation as private transport can prove costly.
The transformative free transport initiative was launched by LSSP in April 2025 with three main aims: to ensure equal access to sport and physical activity for the young people of Liverpool, save schools £5,000 per academic year on transport costs, and positively support climate action.
Having now used Arriva’s buses to travel to LSSP events, leaders at Whitefield Primary School have cited additional benefits that positively impact its pupils’ development and set them up with skills for life.
James Walsh, sports coach at Whitefield Primary School, said: “We initially used the bus to attend an event to see how useful and cost-effective it would be, and it worked out brilliantly. Since then, every time we’ve used the bus it has been quiet, easy and really efficient.”
“The pupils really enjoy it too. Some of them have never used public buses before, so it gives them a new experience they’ve never had before. They’re always buzzing to be independent and get on the bus themselves with their tickets.”
“We use the bus because it’s cost-effective, beneficial to staff and pupils, and so easy to use. We couldn’t recommend it enough!”
LSSP’s free transport offer gives the 6,000 young people at its affiliated primary and secondary schools the opportunity to engage in sports events and festivals without having to worry about transport costs or logistics.
Joint CEO of LSSP, Jimmy McGinn, said: “Ensuring school sport is accessible for all is our number one priority here at LSSP and we’re delighted that schools such as Whitefield are utilising our free bus tickets to give their pupils the opportunity to participate in a range of sport and physical activity opportunities.”
“When we launched the initiative, we made a conscious effort to ensure the process schools follow to secure the free tickets is as easy and quick as possible as we understand just how busy staff are. With the vast bus network Arriva operates across Liverpool, it’s a big win for schools as it helps ease their transport costs at a time when budgets are tight and gives pupils valuable opportunities to gain confidence using public transport in a controlled environment with teachers.”
LSSP is on a mission to offer a net-zero cost service to affiliated schools in Liverpool, and its free transport offer is another step on its journey to achieving this. In September, LSSP also began offering schools its Enhanced Membership Package at a significantly reduced rate for 2025/26 following a £208,000 grant from The Steve Morgan Foundation.
LSSP-affiliated schools can get their free bus tickets now through the LSSP network.
More details can be found at https://lssp.co.uk
