Frequently Asked Questions About SSTS
What if a student loses their travel pass?
If your travel pass is lost or stolen, you should apply for a replacement from the transport provider concerned (e.g. the bus operator, CityRail). A fee will be charged. Students must pay the fare until a new pass is issued.
Why must students use the same modes of travel for trips to and from school?
Under the current arrangements, payments are based on the return fare, five days per week for the one operator. Generally the current system does not allow for operators to be paid a part subsidy.
Why can't students board or disembark at different locations?
Payments to transport operators are based specifically on travel between the student's home and school and not to or from other places such as after school care or a grandparent's home. Under current arrangements, the Scheme does not fund travel for multiple destinations, except by eligible students whose parents have dual custody (see question below).
I've separated from my child's mother/father. Can my child get a pass for subsidised travel from both parents' addresses?
If parents have dual custody, the child is eligible for subsidised travel from both addresses subject to the normal eligibility criteria. A copy of the Family Law Court ruling should be forwarded to the nearest Ministry of Transport regional office for assessment. If the matter has not gone to the Family Law Court, a statutory declaration from each parent that specifies time share arrangements for the child residing at both addresses should be submitted. Applications for subsidised travel for Friday afternoons and Monday mornings only (to cover weekend access visits) are not eligible under the Scheme.
My child is required to attend sporting/excursions/work experience during school time. Why can't the bus pass be used for this?
The Scheme only provides for travel between a student's residence and the school attended. There is no provision under the Scheme to fund the carriage of students for any other purpose or to or from any other location. Students who are travelling from locations other than between home and school are entitled to travel at the normal concession fare.
When will I receive private vehicle conveyance payments?
Payments are made twice a year after the completion of the semester and are based on advice from the school on the number of days that students attended for the semester. Payment is based on the distance between home and the point at which the private conveyance terminates, i.e. the school, bus pick-up point or railway station.
