SuperTram Concession Validity

[Class777]

Hi all. I am currently planning a trip to Sheffield and online, the SuperTram website states concessionary passes get free travel on the SuperTram network. I have a Merseytravel Disabled concessionary pass however I am wondering whether it is valid there?

I am presuming not and it’s probably just South Yorkshire but just wanted to ask here to make sure. TIA

 

[Oscar M]

I recall asking them myself and being told yes, English disabled concessionary bus passes from other parts of the country were still valid on the tram.

That was a few years back however and there's every chance it's changed since then.

 

[fandroid]

I've had a really hard look at the South Yorkshire travel website. Since taking the trams back into public ownership it looks as if the previous validity of all ENCTS cards has been withdrawn, and it's only local cards that are valid on trams there. The free travel on buses still applies, as everywhere else in England.

I would be pleased to see any documentation that contradicts me!


Later EDIT:

Later posts are confirming that ENCTS passes from outside South Yorks do still work OK on the trams. Obviously, the mayor isn't inclined to make it clear that they do!

 

[TinTin56]

We had visitors from Telford a couple of months ago, one with disabled pass and one with senior. Both passes worked fine on the trams in Sheffield.

 

[Harpers Tate]

I've had a really good look at the local site and I see nothing whatsoever to indicate either (a) any change to this subject nor (b) any stipulated limitation on ENCTS passes. It continues to be my understanding that non-local ENCTS passes are still accepted.

 

[Haywain]

Mine, issued well outside South Yorkshire, was accepted on trams earlier this year.

 

[sheff1]

Yes all ENCTS passes are valid. Disappointing that we don’t get reciprocal acceptance on other tram networks☹️.

 

[fandroid]

I've had a really good look at the local site and I see nothing whatsoever to indicate either (a) any change to this subject nor (b) any stipulated limitation on ENCTS passes. It continues to be my understanding that non-local ENCTS passes are still accepted.

As this is an exception rather than a national general rule, I would expect something more positive on the website. If it exists, could you please post a link. Thanks

 

[Class777]

I've had a really hard look at the South Yorkshire travel website. Since taking the trams back into public ownership it looks as if the previous validity of all ENCTS cards has been withdrawn, and it's only local cards that are valid on trams there. The free travel on buses still applies, as everywhere else in England.

I would be pleased to see any documentation that contradicts me!


Later EDIT:

Later posts are confirming that ENCTS passes from outside South Yorks do still work OK on the trams. Obviously, the mayor isn't inclined to make it clear that they do!

Many thanks for the confirmation! I had thought the same as you originally. The website must just be poorly worded!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Dec 2025 ==

Thank you for your help and replied!
I’ve managed to find an official document from the TSY website. Page 4 outlines that ENCTS passes are valid.

https://www.travelsouthyorkshire.com/getmedia/a789361a-8b72-464c-a921-944354f299ac/KC5569-Making-Tram-Train-Accessible-leaflet-v4.pdf#:~:text=Passes:%20English%20National%20Concessionary%20Travel%20Scheme%20(ENCTS)%20passes%20are%20valid%20on%20all%20Supertram%20services.

 

[Harpers Tate]

Nothing specific to allow these that I found. Nothing specific to disallow them either. Perhaps importantly, though - as our trams are quite unlike trains* - one only has to board and when approached, check with the conductor and either swipe your card or pay the fare.

* as in - boarding without a valid ticket is both accepted and expected. You pay the conductor. So there is practically no risk of penalty etc.

 

[Haywain]

I’ve managed to find an official document from the TSY website. Page 4 outlines that ENCTS passes are valid.

Although it is slightly odd in suggesting that South Yorkshire passes are only valid from 0930, with no mention of those from other areas!

 

[ChilliSauce]

Sheffield PlusBus or indeed any PlusBus ticket purchased in South Yorkshire (MeadowHall, Barnsley, Doncaster) used to allow travel on the Sheffield Tram Network .

Now the PlusBus web site for Sheffield is silent on trams

PlusBus Sheffield & Meadowhall PlusBus (South Yorkshire)

With a Sheffield & Meadowhall PlusBus (South Yorkshire) ticket, you can enjoy unlimited bus travel across the local area on all participating operators' services

www.plusbus.info

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Dec 2025 ==

A bit more searching about, but why make it so difficult by being silent on the Tram on the PlusBus web site ?

Tickets and Passes - Travel South Yorkshire

Find the right ticket for your bus, tram or train journey or apply for concessionary travel passes

www.travelsouthyorkshire.com

 

[fandroid]

Although it is slightly odd in suggesting that South Yorkshire passes are only valid from 0930, with no mention of those from other areas!

It doesn't quite say that, but it could easily be misread. It's effectively saying that under the South Yorkshire scheme, senior concessionary cards aren't valid before 09.30.

 

[paulcleaver]

When I was taking my two disabled friends to Sheffield from Leicester to visit the National Videogame Museum (which is excellent and I highly recommend it). I relied on the FAQs.

Q. Can I use a Disabled Pass issued outside South Yorkshire?

A. English National Concessionary Travel passes issued by other local authorities can be used on buses and trams in South Yorkshire. Unfortunately Scottish and Welsh-issued passes are not valid.

Tickets and Passes - Travel South Yorkshire

Find the right ticket for your bus, tram or train journey or apply for concessionary travel passes

www.travelsouthyorkshire.com

 

[sheff1]

It doesn't quite say that, but it could easily be misread. It's effectively saying that under the South Yorkshire scheme, senior concessionary cards aren't valid before 09.30.

Exactly that. The SY scheme also prevents use after 2300 M-F whereas in some other areas the senior passes are valid until end of service.

 

[Haywain]

The SY scheme also prevents use after 2300 M-F whereas in some other areas the passes are valid until end of service.

That's the national rules for Senior passes, which some authorities choose to relax for passes which they have issued (mine has no time restrictions). It's relatively unusual to have a relaxation outside of the issuing authority area which is what the situation is with SY trams.

 

[sheff1]

Sheffield PlusBus or indeed any PlusBus ticket purchased in South Yorkshire (MeadowHall, Barnsley, Doncaster) used to allow travel on the Sheffield Tram Network .

Now the PlusBus web site for Sheffield is silent on trams

https://www.plusbus.info/sheffield[/

That link lists South Yorkshire Future Tram as a participating operator.

That's the national rules for Senior passes, which some authorities choose to relax for passes which they have issued (mine has no time restrictions). It's relatively unusual to have a relaxation outside of the issuing authority area which is what the situation is with SY trams.

Indeed

 

[WesternLancer]

That link lists South Yorkshire Future Tram as a participating operator.


Indeed

I found this thread when trying to clarify the same question posed.

Occurs to me to wonder what kind of stupid name is that…..?
Presumably a tram network yet to be built in South Yorkshire

I thought trams in Sheffield were called the Supertram.