School Bus Information

We often get questions about whether students qualify for school transport assistance i.e., a place on a school bus.  The Ministry of Education has three criteria that students must meet to qualify for school transport assistance. They are:

The student must attend their closest state or state-integrated school

The student must live more than a certain distance from the school (Years 1-8: at least 3.2 km and Years 9-13: at least 4.8 km)

There must be no suitable public transport options

The Ministry of Education has a handy video on their website that helps explains the eligibility criteria for school transport assistance - https://www.education.govt.nz/school/property-and-transport/transport/sta-eligibility/

To ensure a safe environment for bus loading and unloading, parents/whānau should:

- not park in bus bays

- adhere to the speed limit (20 km/h while passing a stationary school bus on either side of the road)

- try to eliminate the need for children to cross the road

- ensure that children get to and from the bus stop safely

- teach children to not run across the road

Please note: if you currently have a private arrangement with your bus operator, you will need to contact your bus operator to confirm that your arrangement will continue in 2022.

If you have any queries about our school transport, please contact Hamish Jones our Bus Controller.  He can be contacted through the college office or email hjones@taieri.school.nz