School bus info?

[~clover~]

Ok, DD1 has been catching the bus for the last 2 years, no drama's, but there are new rules I don't know much about now.

I know with travel allowance with a child in infants you can claim petrol for them if there is no bus service & they have to be driven, no matter the distance. Then when they get to year 3 its only if you are past 1.8kms from the school.

So this year DD1 is in year 3 & with the changes kids above year 3 are sposed to pay $4 a week to catch the bus. What I want to know is, is that for every child, or is it if they are out side the 1.8km radius too?

I haven't recieved any info yet, & not sure I will. I don't even know if we are out side the 1.8kms, but just thought I'd ask, so I have some idea.

I think its unfair that they now have to pay $4 a week is a lot in the end. Like $160 a year? Just to be able to go to school....a public school that provides free education The bus costs more than the school.

Anyway. Any info would be great
TIA

[Tinks]

In Vic if you're within the radius (our radius is bigger than yours) you're not entitled to catch a bus and have to pay if you do, if you're outside it the bus is free provided you go to the closest public or private school to your house.

Does that make any sense?

[~clover~]

Ok. Well til last year school buses were free for all students in NSW. Well Primary & secondary school anyway. I don't agree with it, but its really not up to me.
I'll just have to ask the driver.

[Tinks]

It changed in my area last year as well. The bus was free for all students now the ones going to schools other than the closest one have to pay. I'm not sure how much it is here though becuase my kids don't pay. DS will be catching the bus to high school and my 2 DD's don't qualify for a bus because we only live 500m from the school.

[~clover~]

Well we are at the closest school (the only school), but appaerntly above year 3 they have no pay no matter what. A friends DD has been mostly walking since it came in.

[Tinks]

That seems like a stupid rule to me.

[Pandora]

Tinks - Im assuming its a public school, becuase the rules get quite complicated for non govt schools, but thats a whole other post I am about to creat

[Trillian]

BJ, all the kids in town who catch the 'town bus' to school have to pay to use the bus here. Perhaps call your school and ask them exactly what the go is.

[melhoneybee]

in NSW i don't think there have been any changes
Every primary school should have a map which has a circle drawn around it with a 1.6km radius-anyone who lives outside that area gets free public transport by the most efficient means eg bus or train. The charge would only be if you live within that radius-and it's not that far to walk.

[~clover~]

Honestly I personally think 1.6 kms is a long way to walk for a primary school student. Over 3kms a day for a child of 8 is unfair & my personal problem with it is the safety of these kids. Not everyone can afford $160 a year & not everyone can drive/walk their kids to & from school.