TASMANIAN ASSOCIATION OF STATE SCHOOL
ORGANISATIONS INC.
202 Liverpool Street, Hobart Tasmania 7000
phone: 03 6234 9488 email: [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE:
Tuesday, 16 February 2016
The start to the 2016 school year has seen TASSO inundated with phone calls, emails and messages
drawing attention to several issues related to school transport.
The issues cover the areas of:-
Unreasonable increases to bus fares
The inconsistent application of rural and urban definitions
Outdated school home-area boundaries resulting in transport access woes and
Changes to bus routes resulting in dangerous drop off and collection points.
Bus fares
Transport department officials assure us that the discounted cost of bus tickets has only risen by less
than 10% during the year.
State growth officials tell us that the increase of bus fares over the last 20 years amounts to no more
than one and a half percent per year.
These fact may be true (we have not verified either), but TASSO’s policy is
“Government should provide free (bus) transport to all students attending the nearest or designated
Government school of appropriate level and that the safety of students in transit is of the utmost
importance.”
We call on Government to adopt this policy.
We call on government to make every effort to ease the burden of fares on parents.
Discounted and full price fares have increased state-wide. Rising bus fares present a very real increase
to the everyday cost of school attendance.
Parents are urged to contact their relevant bus company to ensure they are receiving the discounted
rate.
Rural and urban definitions, outdates home areas etc.
Last year, once again, TASSO called for a review into student transport, supporting the recommendation
from the School Viability Reference Group that School Home-Areas and School Transport be reviewed.
We are aware that School Home Areas are part of the review of the Education Act, and we will be
watching for any changes to the current Act through the consultative draft due around March this year.
‘If the Government is serious about improving attendance and retention government departments
responsible for transport and education must work together. TASSO will continue to push our policy
of free travel to your home-area school’ said TASSO President, Ant Dry. ‘This matter is not closed’
Conclusion
The State Government must act on this now. Bus fares must be reviewed and made affordable. The
definition of “rural” and “urban” must be applied consistently. Home areas must be finalised and made
public. Bus routes must be restructured to maximise the safety of students.
Further information related to concessions and fares:
State Growth:
http://www.transport.tas.gov.au/passenger/student_travel
http://www.transport.tas.gov.au/passenger/student_travel/student_bus_fares
Metro fare information:
http://www.metrotas.com.au/communication/blog/2015/back-school-information/
TASSO President, Ant Dry
