Transport

Requests for Changes to Student Transport Arrangements

Are you moving?

Parents are reminded that any requests for changes to transport arrangements must be made in writing through the school. Following a change of address, families must reapply for  transport assistance and access to a bus from the new address cannot be guaranteed. Parents should also be aware that even if a seat is available , door to door pick-up and drop-off  may not be possible except in extraordinary circumstances and students may be offered access to a bus at one of the existing stops. While we make every effort to accommodate changes we cannot guarantee access, particularly if a change necessitates a change of bus, as many of our buses are full. Any change may take up to 10 days to process as changes require approval from the service provider and  DET Student Transport Branch.

*Please note: Temporary changes to pick-up and drop-off points cannot be accommodated. Please do not attempt to make arrangements with bus staff as they do not have the authority to make changes.

Students with Disabilities Transport Program (SDTP)

The Department of Education and Training’s Students with Disabilities Transport Program (SDTP)

provides daily transport assistance to 9,000 students attending specialist schools in Victoria.

The Department considers the safety of students to be of paramount importance, and in 2017 the

Student Transport Unit (STU) undertook a comprehensive review of the SDTP to improve and

strengthen the standard of service delivery and safety for students.

Ensuring that the SDTP policy is applied fairly and consistently and that all records are maintained and up to date is key to the provision of a safe, efficient service.

All requests for transport or changes to existing transport arrangements must be authorised by the school (and in certain cases STU) and approved by the relevant bus operators. This process can take some time so we would ask that families provide as much notice as possible when submitting requests. If you are moving and will require transport from a new address a new application for transport is required and we will need  a minimum of two weeks notice. Requests regarding bus stops may be processed  within a shorter time frame but notice is still required.  

Please be aware that even with sufficient notice, not all requests can be accommodated as many of our buses are already operating at full capacity. Requests for temporary changes cannot usually be accommodated.

Please note: Families transitioning to NDIS may have noticed a dollar amount for transport appearing on their plan. Information about this is included elsewhere in this newsletter.