Bus route design

Distance to home

In many situations the design of a bus route will mean that a school bus will stop outside a student’s home. Those students not living on a bus route can expect to make their own way for anything up to 2.4km to reach a bus (except where a student is not attending the nearest school – see section: Nearest school on the Eligibility page. Caregivers of eligible students who live further than 2.4km may receive a conveyance allowance to assist with getting the student to the bus stop.

Bus route design

School transport can be provided within one Transport Entitlement Zone (TEZ) only, and school buses can only run within a school’s zone. School bus routes can also run no closer than one of the following:

• 1.6km to the home of the last student on the route if the last student’s home falls within the TEZ
• 1.6km within the perimeter of the school’s TEZ if the last student on the route lives outside of the school’s TEZ (ie if the student is not attending his/her nearest school).

Where there is no safe turning point at this distance, the route will be shortened back towards the school, so affected students may have to make their own way somewhat further than 1.6km. If the distance is more than 2.4km the caregiver is eligible for a conveyance allowance towards the cost of meeting the school bus.

Bus service times

Services generally run to provide a first pick-up after 7.30am and a last set-down before 5.00pm, to best meet the needs of the students. There may be exceptions due to local circumstances, such as route length, school starting times, and the number of schools on the route. For example, first pick-up could be at 7.15am and the last set-down at 4.45pm.

Bus stop placement

The service agent consults with the school’s bus controller and the bus operator to decide safe and suitable locations for bus stops. Students are expected to assemble at these stops. Anyone who has safety concerns about the location of a bus stop should contact the bus controller. The bus controller will work with the service agent and the bus operator to resolve the issue or relocate the bus stop.

Route extensions

Existing bus services can be extended. The Ministry’s service agent may approve an extension to pick up additional eligible students if all of the following are met:

• the cost of the extension is within the per-student cost limit
• the cost of the whole extended route is within the per-student cost limit
• the timetable is not significantly changed for other eligible students using the service.

Even if the conditions noted above are met, services can only be extended into the TEZ of another school with the agreement from the bus operator and the written permission of that school and the service agent. Further information can be found on the Transport Entitlement Zone page. Extensions can be considered if there is a temporary road hazard on a route, like a bridge under repair.

Paid route extensions

A caregiver can pay to have a route extended as long as there is no disadvantage to eligible students using the bus and there is no safety risk. The caregiver and the bus operator decide the amount charged.

Reducing or shutting down existing routes

Existing school bus services can be reorganised, reduced or shut down. The Ministry provides school transport within set eligibility criteria. If the Ministry sees a service as no longer viable the service will be reduced, reorganised or shut down. This could be due to falling student numbers or the implementation of suitable public transport. If this happens, a conveyance allowance is paid to caregivers of eligible students living more than 2.4 kilometres from the school or the remaining service. Changes are usually arranged to coincide with the end of a school term.