Bus safety is taken very seriously here at Orewa College with all students held to a in-depth Code Of Conduct which students must abide to. Students and caregivers are asked to fill this form out at the start of each year to make sure the code of behaviour is fresh in the minds of all our students.
There are seven buses (2 companies, Bayes and GoBus) that now cater to our rural-based students.
You can check which bus your address is most-appropriately zoned for by typing your address into this Google Map OC Bus Zone Checker.
Click here for information regarding these bus routes.
To use these buses we expect all students to abide by the Code Of Conduct which all students and their caregivers must fill out at the start of each school year (or if joining the school mid-year).
Students that catch rural buses must also complete the Rural Bus Registration each year to order, and agree to paying the $8, for their rural bus photo ID or buying the appropriate clip cards (see below).
NOTE: If you do not have internet access a hard paper copy for each of these forms can be collected (and returned to) from our main school reception.
Students are expected to have an appropriate bus pass with them for every trip.
Students are also expected to keep up to date with all bus news by;
There are 3 kinds of passes that students can use for rural buses: Plastic Photo ID, Green Temp Card or Clip-Card.
1. If Eligible for Ministry-Funded Rural Transport:
If eligible for Ministry-funded transport there is just a one-off fee ($8) to cover the cost of having a plastic photo Bus Pass Photo ID printed.
NOTE: New Bus Pass Photo IDs are not printed until after the school photos are taken (late Feb) so new students must carry a Green Temp Pass until they receive their plastic photo ID.
Your child will only be eligible for Ministry-Funded travel if your address follows the eligibility criteria as seen on the Ministry of Education website:
Basically, you will not be eligible if your address is:
a. closer to another school that offers the year of education your child is enrolled in.
b. within 2.4 km of a public bus route that can get you within 2.4 km of Orewa College.
If your child is eligible they must:
Note: The photo ID bus cards are printed around the middle of Term 1 (after new student photos are taken). If you are a new student and do not have a photo ID from the previous year, or if you have lost your photo ID, then you will need to see the Bus Controller for a green temporary card - email bus@orewacollege.nz to arrange an appointment.
2) If Not Eligible for Ministry Funded Rural Transport:
If your child is not eligible for free ministry funded transport you will need to apply to be a fare-paying passenger for your rural bus. This will only be allowed if there is enough room for your child on that bus.
If there is room for them, they must:
NOTE: There is no “pay later” option with Concession Cards". Students must have a "Concession Card" to ride on the bus after school or the driver will not allow them on the bus.
Here is the link for the up-to-date locations of each Bus in the School Bus Bay at the end of each school day (these do change sometimes so it is always good to double check the number on the side or front of the bus before you get on)
We currently have 2 bus companies that provide Urban bus Routes:
These bus routes can also be checked on the Auckland Transport Website: AT Journey Planner - it is recommended that all students download this as an App on their phones.
You can check which bus your address is most-appropriately zoned for by typing your address into this Google Map OC Bus Zone Checker.
You can also view the up-to-date timetables here.
To use these buses we expect all students to abide by the Bus Code Of Conduct which all students and their caregivers must fill out at the start of each school year along with checking that they are correctly registered for their bus(es) using the OC Bus Registration form.
If you do not have internet access a printed version is available here, or can be collected from our main school reception or bus controller.
Students are also expected to keep up to date with all bus news by:
To use either Bayes Buses or GOBUS Buses students must have their own REGISTERED AT HOP card which they then use to TAG ON and TAG OFF with for each trip:
These can be bought from local outlets (like dairies) and registered online for the student concession (child fare).
These cards can also be used for other public Auckland Transport transportation (buses, ferries, trains).
NOTE: Cash is no longer accepted as a means of payment on these buses so students must keep a positive balance on their accounts.
Students that turn 16 will need to go to the Albany Park n Ride station to prove they are eligible for a Student Discount Fare rate by showing their normal school ID card. You can work out which bus is best for your child by using the AT “Journey Planner” App or online here.
Secondary school students, aged 16 to 19, can now jump online and activate their student discount using their National Student Number (NSN). And with a student discount organised, they’ll be able to travel and get 40% or more off full price bus, ferry and train fares.
Here is the link for where to find out more about this process, and to update your concession
Here is the link for the up-to-date locations of each Bus in the School Bus Bay at the end of each school day (these do change sometimes so it is always good to double check the number on the side or front of the bus before you get on)
There are also other public buses that use the AT HOP card that can assist in getting students home, because of this, we encourage all students to download the AT Journey Planner App so that they can always find alternative transport (if they miss their bus for whatever reason).
Please see Daily Notices
Mr Greydon Little. Please email bus@orewacollege.nz if you need any information or have any queries.
Orewa College
