School Bus Program

Together with the Department of Education, we run a School Bus Program. The program is open to students at government and non-government schools in regional and rural communities.

School children riding bus with teacher

About the School Bus Program

Eligible students can travel free with the School Bus Program. Other students can still use the program if space is available, their travel is approved and a fare is paid, if applicable.

Find out more information about the School Bus Program on the Department of Education website.

Please note: From Monday 18 January 2021, all queries about the Student Travel Assistance Portal will be managed by the Department of Education. Customers can contact the department on 1800 338 663 (8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays) or email [email protected]

Applying for travel

Application forms for the School Bus Program are available at your school. Return completed forms to your school. Your school will then tell you whether you're eligible to use the program.

Students with special needs

If you have a mobility requirement let your school know about your special needs when submitting your application form.

Student Travel Assistance Portal

The Student Travel Assistance Portal is an online application system for School Program services in selected school bus networks only.

You can apply online through the Student Travel Assistance Portal.

New school bus routes

To start a new school bus service, a school must submit an application to the Department of Education.

The application must include:

  • details of the eligible students
  • the proposed route map.

There must be at least 15 eligible students for a new service to be considered. Eleven of the 15 students must be attending a government school.

When the new school bus is approved, PTV will make all the arrangements to introduce it. This includes contracting an appropriate bus operator.

Find more information on the Department of Education website.

School bus stops

Principals, schools and bus operators can request:

  • a new bus stop on an existing School Bus Program route
  • an upgrade to a bus stop on an existing School Bus Program route.

Find more information in the School Bus Stop Q & A's below. The document also includes a School Bus Stop Notification form and a Bus Stop Upgrade Request form.

Download School Bus Stop Q & As (PDF) 156 KB

Download School Bus Stop Q & As - accessible version (DOCX) 427 KB

School Bus Centre Review Program

PTV and bus operators review school bus services to make sure the School Bus Program is efficient and effective. We also make sure that services meet the Department of Education and Training policy.

Find out more information about the School Bus Centre Review Program.