Network operations
Route design rules
These rules govern how SONG bus routes are designed and how the network responds to requests for new branches, extensions, and changes. They are agreed by the Network Committee and apply across all four SONG schools.
Schedule 1
Route design
This Schedule describes the rules for the design of bus routes.
1
Students living too close to school to be eligible for assistance will be able to access a service if there is seating capacity on the bus. The Group will not increase the capacity of the bus to accommodate these students. The Group will not modify the route design to accommodate these students.
2
Changes to school bus routes that have a negative impact on families will be implemented from the beginning of the following school term, or a later date as agreed by the Committee.
3
A route branch will be added along a side road where there are two or more families present.
4
Route branches will be extended to the driveway of the second-last family on the branch. If a safe turning point cannot be found at this location, the turning point will be moved to the nearest sensible location.
5
Bus routes will not be extended unless the route branch will be at least 1km long.
6
Bus sizes will be increased where possible to enable students to be seated.
7
Students will be dropped off in the afternoon at the same location as they were collected in the morning.
8
When considering extensions to bus routes, the Committee will take into account a range of factors including: the ages of the students present; the ability of parents to transport students to the route or turning point; safety; route timing; and future enrolments.
Schedule 2
Students not attending their nearest school
This Schedule describes the requirements for students not attending their nearest school.
1
School bus routes are designed to transport students to the nearest appropriate school.
2
Families that wish to access a school bus route to a more distant school must transport their students to and from the halfway point between schools.
3
The Group will allow students to board a bus beyond the halfway point between schools only in situations where a Memorandum of Understanding has been agreed between the SONG school that the student attends and the nearest school that the student can enrol at.
4
The Group will not cover the cost of a larger bus to accommodate students not attending their nearest school.
5
The Group will not extend bus routes to accommodate students not attending their nearest school.
6
Students that live within 3.2km of the nearest school they could enrol at are not entitled to bus travel.
Got a question about a route or a possible extension? Get in touch with EasyBus and we'll talk it through.