- The School Student Transport Scheme Eligibility
- How to Apply for Free Travel
- New Applications
- Appeals Process
- Use of Pass Issued to eligible Students
- Conditions of Use of Subsidised travel
- Replacement Passes
- Term Passes
- Any Questions Concerning Subsidised Travel
- Code of Conduct
The School Student Transport Scheme Eligibility
To be eligible for subsidised travel under the School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) students will:
- be a resident of NSW;
- be 4 years 6 months of age or older;
- be an infant student; i.e. attending Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 classes, irrespective of the distance from home to school be a primary student (Year 3-6), and reside more than 1.6 kilometres (radial distance) from the school attended, measured on a radius from the centre of the school site, or 2.3 kilometres or more by the most direct practicable walking route to the nearest point of physical entry to the school;
- be a secondary student (Year 7-12), and reside more than 2.0 kilometres (radial distance) from the school attended, measured on a radius from the centre of the school site, or 2.9 kilometres or more by the most direct practicable walking route to the nearest point of physical entry to the school;
- be enrolled at a registered day school;
- be eligible for a free government education. Students who are not eligible for a free government education are not eligible for subsidised travel.
How to Apply for Free Travel
- Application forms are available from all schools or TAFE and must be completed by a parent or guardian. TAFE students should complete and sign their own forms.
- The completed form is then returned to the school or TAFE the student is enrolled at.
- The schools will forward the application onto Hawkesbury Valley who will assess that the students meet the distance eligibility criteria.
- If eligible, Hawkesbury Valley will issue the student with a bus pass.
- Conditions of travel are printed on the back of all passes.
New Applications Must be Completed When a Student...
- Enrols in Kindergarten,
- Progresses from Year 2 to 3,
- Progresses from Year 6 to 7,
- Changes name, address or school.
Appeals Process
- Parents/guardians of students deemed ineligible by their school or local transport operator may apply to Department of Transport for a review of that decision.
- Should Department of Transport not approve subsidised travel and the applicant(s) considers that there are special circumstances, such as safety and/or hardship issues associated with their case, they may appeal the Ministry's decision. Appeals are heard by an independent SSTS Appeals Panel, which considers each case on its individual merits.
Use of Pass Issued to Eligible Students
- Students must abide by the Code of Conduct.
- School travel is only available between home and school for school attendance and is available on school days only.
- Passes are to be used for only one forward and one return trip per school day.
- Passes are not transferable and must be shown on demand.
- Travel by bus is subject to the conditions laid down by Department of Transport governing the carriage of passengers on public transport.
- No child will be denied travel in circumstances where they have lost or forgotten their subsidised travel pass.
- Journeys must commence and finish only at the points nominated on this application without a break of journey.
Conditions of Use of Subsidised Travel
- You agree to Department of Transport and its auditors contacting the school attended to confirm the details provided in this application from time to time.
- Department of Transport reserves the right to withdraw subsidised travel:
- If investigation shows the student to be ineligible. Following notification to the parent/guardian any issued pass must be surrendered to the school principal, or the bus proprietor, and subsidised travel cease forthwith.
- Subject to breaches of the Code of Conduct and following notification to the school and parents/guardians.
Replacement Passes
Parents or guardians should apply for a replacement bus pass. Cost is $10.00. Replacement passes can be purchased from our depot at 264 Hammond Ave during office hours or by completing an application for replacement form (available from the driver) and sending it with the $10.00 to Hawkesbury Valley via the driver.
Privacy and Personal Information
- The school or TAFE college, the transport operator, the NSW Board of Studies, the Department of Education and Training (DET) and Department of Transport collect and hold personal information contained in this form and in connection with the student’s use of the SSTS.
- (ii) These entities will exchange and use that personal information for the purposes of administering, and planning future use of the SSTS. It may also be used for internal and external audit purposes.
- If this information is not able to be collected, exchanged and used as described above, the student may be refused subsidised travel under the SSTS. If you believe that this information needs to be kept confidential, please contact your local Department of Transport office on the number provided on this form.
- All information that you provide will be dealt with in accordance with applicable privacy laws. Individuals have the right to access and correct personal information about them held by the school or TAFE College, the transport operator, the NSW Board of Studies, the DET and Department of Transport.
- If you wish to access or correct any of your personal information you may contact your school or TAFE college, your transport service provider and/or:
| Department of Transport GPO Box 1620 Sydney NSW 2001 |
DET GPO Box 33 Sydney NSW 2001 |
NSW Board of Studies 117 Clarence Street Sydney NSW 2000 |
Explanatory Notes
(vi) In relation to (i) the Department of Education and Training (DET) does not hold the personal information of students attending non-government schools. The NSW Board of Studies holds the personal information of some secondary students 10,11 and 12 -attending both government and non-government schools.
(vii) In relation to (ii) each of the organisations named may exchange the personal information of the student for purposes connected with the SSTS.
(viii) In relation to (v) you should contact your own school or TAFE in the first instance. Contact details for Department of Transport, the DET and the NSW Board of Studies are provided above for your convenience.
Any Questions Concerning Subsidised Travel
The initial point of contact for any inquiry should be the school.
Inquiries regarding routes and timetables should be made to the relevant operator.
In instances where inquiries cannot be answered at the school parents/guardians should contact their local Department of Transport office.
