School Bus Program Eligibility Guide for Families

attend their nearest route from the student’s appropriate school, which is front gate to the school’s determined by the main entrance. Notes denomination of the school. Non-government school • Students not attending students Nearest government school or their closest school may be  Eligible government nearest appropriate non- accommodated on a bus students have priority over government school service as long as they pay a eligible non-government • To be eligible for travel fare and seating capacity students when being on a school bus at no cost, exists. accommodated on services. government students must • Students must reside 4.8 attend their nearestnearest • Non-government km or more from the school. students may be school while non- The distance is measured by government students must the shortest practicable

1 accommodated where nongovernment) wishes to made through the school capacity exists. access the service. The and requires DEECD regional status of fare paying endorsement and any • Non-government students is assessed each documentation that students on their own do not term. supports the case. form a case for the establishment of a new • Parents/guardians must • Speak to your school’s school bus service or an agree in writing that their bus coordinator for further extension to a route. child will travel as long as information on special case they pay a fare and seating consideration. capacity exists. Emergency management • Parents/guardians agree • In a forecast emergency to make alternative travel school bus services will be arrangements should their cancelled if any part of the child be required to route is deemed at risk. relinquish their seat. Exemptions • A rapid onset • Fare paying students do emergency may result in • The policy has some not form a case for service service cancellations and exemptions where a student retention. buses being held at the may be granted access to a school or if in transit, the bus service at no cost. These Conditions of travel and buses returning to the exemptions are limited and parental responsibilities school. specific. Students and parents/guardians • Parents/guardians • Exemptions are not must agree to comply with the should familiarise granted on the basis of conditions of bus travel as stated themselves with the school’s financial hardship. on the back of all School Bus Program travel application forms. school bus emergency Fare paying management plans. • Government and non- • Parents/guardians understand that school bus Further information government students not Go to attending their nearest travel is a privilege and not a www.education.vic.gov.au/trav appropriate school are right. required to pay a fare as set Special cases ellingtoschool for travel by PTV. • Families may apply for application forms and the School Bus Program’s policy and • A fare paying student special consideration in may be required to complex and challenging procedures. For further relinquish their seat if the transport circumstances (not assistance with your application, service is at capacity and an including financial hardship). please contact the bus An application for special eligible non-fare paying coordinator at the school your case consideration can be student (government and child will be attending.