Launching Wednesday 15th January 2025, the ‘free commute scheme’ will help jobseekers by offering free 400-minute transport bundles worth £64 from Beryl. The bundles can then be used on Beryl bikes, e-bikes and scooters in Norwich to get recipients to job interviews and later, to work. To be eligible, participants must be over 18 years old, living in the Greater Norwich area and be actively looking for a job through the DWP JobCentre Plus.

Jobseekers will also be offered a second deal with 50% off minute bundles for the next 12 months, once they have completed their initial minute offer. The scheme aims to continue to support these individuals until after they secure a role.

Ben Lee, Strategic Partnerships Lead at Beryl, said: “As a B-Corp company and winner of a King’s Award for Enterprise, we look to go beyond mere service provision and aim to integrate and have a positive social impact on the towns and cities we serve. 

“Working with our partners National Grid, this project will not only make our services more accessible to a wider number of people, it will also support the local business community and help people to gain and maintain full time employment.

“Breaking down the barriers to active travel for more people can help encourage the more widespread adoption of sustainable transport habits, which can boost public health, improve air quality and reduce congestion.”

Kim Sibilla, Community Benefit Manager at National Grid said: “We’re pleased to support jobseekers by providing free transport to interviews or their new place of work. We’re proud of our partnership with Beryl and of providing sustainable travel to the people of Norwich.” 

Katia Bentley, Work in Norwich Senior Project Manager, said: “Extending this scheme with a 50% off discount for an extra year enables us to continue to support jobseekers with an accessible and sustainable travel option, as well as measure the impact of the overall scheme for jobseekers and the local business community.

“We hope to expand the scheme in the future and look forward to supporting jobseekers find work in Norwich and explore the opportunities the city has.”

The Free Commute Scheme will initially be provided to jobseekers that are looking to attend interviews through the DWP JobCentre Plus. Once they are successful in their job search, the second part of this scheme will continue to support them in their daily commutes.

Developed by Norwich BID in 2021 through the Norwich Towns Deal Fund, Work in Norwich (WiN) is the award winning official inward investment campaign for the city. WiN aims to enhance Norwich's profile as an attractive place to live and work, showcase its offer to innovative businesses attracting inward investment and support the local business community with talent attraction.