Regardless of how your child gets to and from school, safety is one of the most important factors to remember.
If your child travels on a bus, encourage them to behave sensibly and safely whilst on the bus and accept reasonable direction from the bus driver. There is a code of behaviour that all student passengers must follow.
If you drive your child to school or the bus stop, you should abide by all parking restrictions and, if possible, park on the same side of the road as the school or bus stop. If you must park opposite the school or bus stop, get out of your vehicle and cross the road with your child.
Walking
Walking is a free and healthy way to get to school. Consider the route that your child will take and make sure that they use the safest road crossings.
Younger children should be accompanied by an adult until you are certain that they can safely manage the journey alone. Even for older children, it is advisable to walk with them at first on the route they will be using and talk about what they should do if they ever feel uncomfortable or unsafe while walking alone.
Some schools have organised ‘walking buses’ where a number of children walk to and from school together, supervised by adults. The ‘bus’ picks children up at designated meeting points along the route.
Buses
If your child’s school is not within walking distance, a bus service may be available. This may be free or it may be a fare-charging bus service. Contact your school to find out about the bus services available for your area.
If your child will be using fare-charging bus services, they may be eligible for a concession and/or a bus pass. Information and application forms are available from Service Tasmania offices or apply online at the Department of State Growth Transport website.
For information on metropolitan bus services, including timetables and fares contact:
Metro Tasmania (Hobart, Launceston, Burnie)
Phone 13 22 01
MerseyLink Bus Service (Devonport)
Phone 1300 367 590
For a copy of the Code of Behaviour please visit the Department of State Growth Transport website.
Private transport
Where a bus service is not available, or the nearest bus stop serving your closest local area school is at least five kilometres away from your home, you may need to use private transport to get your child to school.
In this case you may be eligible to receive Conveyance Allowance, which helps with the cost of driving students between home and school or to and from the nearest bus stop, whichever is the closer.
Information and application forms are available from Service Tasmania offices, phone 1300 13 55 13 or the Department of State Growth Transport website.