Travelling to School

Regardless of how your child gets to and from school, safety is one of the most important factors to remember.

Walking is a free and healthy way to get to school.

Some schools have organised ‘walking buses’ where a number of children walk to and from school together, supervised by adults.

There are school bus services available in many areas in Tasmania.

There is a code of behaviour for students who travel on buses.

Walking to school

  • Consider the route that your child will take and make sure that they use the safest road crossings.
  • Younger children should be accompanied by an adult until you are certain that they can safely manage the journey alone.
  • Even for older children it is advisable to walk with them at first on the route they will be using. Talk about what they should do if they ever feel uncomfortable or unsafe while walking alone.

Travel by bus

  • If your child’s school is not within walking distance, a bus service may be available. This may be free or it may be a fare-charging service. Contact your school to find out about the bus services available for your area.
  • If your child will be using fare-charging bus services, they may be eligible for a concession.
  • For more information on these, go to the Student travel web page.
  • Information and application forms are also available from Service Tasmania offices.
  • For more information on metropolitan bus services, including timetables and fares, contact Metro Tasmania on 13 22 01 or visit the Metro website.
  • If your child travels on a bus, encourage them to behave sensibly and safely while on the bus and accept reasonable direction from the bus driver.
  • If you drive your child to school or the bus stop, you should abide by all parking restrictions and, if possible, park on the same side of the road as the school or bus stop.
  • If you must park opposite the school or bus stop, please get out of your vehicle and cross the road with your child.

Driving your child to school

  • Where a bus service is not available, or the nearest bus stop serving your closest school is at least five kilometres away from your home, you may need to use private transport to get your child to school.
  • In this case you may be eligible to receive a Conveyance Allowance, which helps with the cost of driving students between home and school, or to and from the nearest bus stop, whichever is closer.
  • Information and application forms are available from Service Tasmania offices, or on the Student travel web page.

Where to start:

  • Contact your school to find out about:
    • bus services available in your area
    • if there is a walking bus in your area.
  • Contact the Department of State Growth to find out if you are eligible for a Conveyance Allowance.

For you:

  • Find out how other children in your area get to school.
  • Find a friend for your child to travel with.
  • Offer to supervise the local ‘walking bus’.

Where can I get more information:

  • Contact your school.
  • For metropolitan bus services, including timetables and fares contact: Metro Tasmania (Hobart, Launceston, Burnie) 13 22 01 or visit the Metro website
  • MerseyLink Bus Service (Devonport) Phone 1300 367 590 or visit the MerseyLink website
  • To organise a walking bus at your school, contact Sustainable Living Tasmania on 6234 5566 or visit the Sustainable Living Tasmania (SLT) website
  • Information and application forms for a Conveyance Allowance are available from Service Tasmania offices or apply online