Use it or lose it – free transport that saves schools thousands of pounds and ensures equal access to sport
In April 2025, Liverpool School Sports Partnership (LSSP) launched a transformative initiative with Arriva to provide free transport to the 6,000 young people across the city who participate in its sports events and festivals.
The introduction of the free transport offer, set up by the not-for-profit organisation that has worked with schools in Liverpool for 25 years, is threefold:
- to ensure equal access to sport and physical activity
- to save schools £5,000 per academic year on transport costs
- to positively support climate action
Following publication of the agreement, LSSP was inundated with messages on social media from schools and similar organisations operating across the country wanting to find out more. But, despite the initial influx of enquiries, the uptake of the offer during the 2024/25 summer term was lower than anticipated.
Joint CEO of LSSP, Adella Dando, explained:
“Ensuring school sport is accessible for all is our number one priority and we were thrilled when we were able to secure, and announce, the partnership with Arriva following feedback from schools who cited transports costs as a major barrier to participation.
“We have removed this barrier for schools and made a conscious effort to ensure the process to secure the free transport is as easy and quick as possible as we understand just how busy staff are. However, further potential barriers to using the offer have now been brought to light which could reduce the number of children and young people participating in sporting and physical opportunities.”
One of the biggest reasons schools did not utilise the offer was due to the risk assessment process involved in taking children and young people on public buses. However, it has been confirmed to LSSP that this process can be easily managed through EVOLVE. This is the online system that manages educational visits and off-site activities.
Adella continued:
“As well as being able to take part in the 220+ aspirational and inspirational competitions we host throughout the year, there are so many benefits to students using our free public transport offer that would not only positively impact them but also their wider community.”
Reasons why schools should not miss the opportunity to utilise LSSP’s free transport offer
- Going green
Summer 2025 has already been confirmed as the warmest on record for the UK. Met Office scientists are linking it to human-driven greenhouse gas emissions.
LSSP’s free transport offer enables schools to use buses that are already enroute to destinations. This reduces the number of vehicles on the road and cuts greenhouse gas emissions. It allows students to enjoy LSSP events whilst also helping protect the environment and committing to a more sustainable future.
- Leaning life lessons
In a digital age where children and young people are spending more time on devices, psychologists have found that increased technology use has the potential to negatively impact social and relational skills.
By students using Arriva buses to attend LSSP competitions, they have the opportunity to interact with members of the public. They will gain a better understanding of how public transport works whilst still having adult support from teachers. Thus, developing a range of social skills and experiences that they can take into later life.
- Reducing risk-aversion
Whilst being aware of risk is important, multiple studies over the course of the past five years have shown that younger generations, including gen z and now generation alpha, are more risk-averse due to reduced experiences of real-time problem-solving.
During peak hours it is not uncommon for public transport to be delayed or at capacity upon arrival at stops. However, students using the free transport offer from LSSP will be travelling off-peak. This will mean they can experience potential challenges and overcome them in a controlled environment. They will, therefore, develop even more transferrable skills for the future.
LSSP-affiliated schools can still apply for free transport for the 2025/26 academic year through the LSSP network. However, if uptake does not meet the required threshold, the offer could be withdrawn.