Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bus travel free for all students in 2026?
The Victorian Government announced earlier this year that all bus travel will be free for children under the age of 17 in 2026. What this looks like for our region and how it applies to local school travel is yet to be confirmed by the Government.
As we receive this information, we will update and implement any new guidelines and requirements and of course, keep you informed!
How do I apply for a bus pass?
You can apply for a bus pass by visiting the GSSC website. Go to ‘OPERATIONS’ then scroll down to ‘Bus Travel Information.’ Here you will find the ‘Bus Pass’ accordion drop box where the application link and QR code are situated.
Students can also find the QR code for the bus application at their Neighbourhood receptions, Enterprise reception or the Student Transport office located in the Hub.
Please note, phone policy rules need to be adhered to, therefore scanning of the codes needs to be done before or after school.
Is every student eligible for a Bus Pass?
No, not every student will be eligible for a bus pass. The current requirement is to live a minimum distance of 4.8km away and attend your closest school to be eligible for free bus travel.
Can I fill out a bus application in paper form?
Yes, as a parent or guardian you can request a paper application form to be emailed to you. However, the preferred method of submitting a bus application is through the online process; either via the link or QR code.
Students can also see their Neighbourhood reception or head to the Student Transport office, located in the Hub, to request a paper application form.
Please note that submitting an application using this method may take longer to process due to the additional steps involved in processing a paper application form.
How do I know if my child is eligible?
Once you have submitted your application, it will be processed to determine the student’s eligibility. Upon the completion of this process, a confirmation email will be sent to the parent/guardian.
In the circumstance the application is deemed ineligible, the parent/guardian will receive a notification email informing them of this.
How do I know which bus to catch?
Upon an eligible application, a confirmation email will be sent to the parent/guardian. If you require information of which bus to catch, times and location of bus pick up or drop off simply reply to our email requesting this data. Alternatively, you can contact your local bus provider; Dysons or Jacobsons (Mooroopna) or visit the GSSC website where you can locate and download maps of the School Bus Services to determine which route you require.
Students can also see Linda, Sheree or Dean in the Student Transport Office, located in the Hub if they are unsure.
How long does it take for the application to be processed?
Once the bus application has been submitted, the students’ eligibility should be processed within approximately five business days.
Please note during high volume application times, the time frame could be longer.
Paper application forms can also take longer to process due to the increased processes involved in this application method.
Can my child’s bus pass be suspended due to inappropriate behaviour while travelling on the bus?
Yes. School bus travel is a privilege and there will be consequences as a result of inappropriate behaviour while travelling on a bus.
Local and Country Bus services differ in how behavioural issues are managed.
If travelling on a Country Bus, an offense policy is already in place. This states that a fourth offence results in no further travel for the student for the rest of the calendar year. It is important to note that although there are four stages to this policy, the severity of an offence will determine the action and could possibly be escalated to a higher offence, even if it’s their first offence.
Inappropriate behaviour on a local bus is deemed a public matter. This could result in the bus driver calling the police and or bringing the behaviour to the attention of the Department of Education. The bus operator will also alert the Student Transport Coordinator. The matter will then forward onto the leadership team at GSSC. Discretion will be used as to whether the school will also action consequences against the inappropriate behaviour.
What if my child hasn’t received their bus pass before the commencement of the school year?
Students do not receive their bus pass until the commencement of the new school year. There will be a bulk amount of bus passes distributed during the first couple of weeks of the school year. Bus passes will continue to be handed out after this period of time.
Please note, the bus operators are lenient throughout this time, giving students access to the service without needing to present their bus pass upon entering the bus.
What if my child is living between two addresses?
No worries! We simply need to have two bus application forms submitted, one for each address to determine the eligibility and the bus service/route required.
Where do I get my bus pass from?
Bus passes will be handed out to students by their Neighbourhood reception.
What happens if I lose my bus pass?
While the initial bus pass is given to students for free, if it is lost, misplaced or damaged, you will be required to pay $10 to receive a replacement bus pass.
To do this, you will need to go to the relevant bus operator to organise and pay for a new pass.
Dysons (Red Card) – 23 Industrial Drive Shepparton. Phone- 5831 2150
Jacobsons (Yellow Card) – 1 Huggard Drive Mooroopna. Phone- 5820 3700
Can my child still catch a local bus if they aren’t eligible for a bus pass?
Yes! You can either pay $1.50 cash each way to the bus driver upon entering the bus or contact Dysons Shepparton and purchase a bus pass which will eliminate the need of money each day!
What happens if I move houses?
All you need to do is update your new residential details by filling in a ‘Change of Contact Details Form’ and returning it to your Neighbourhood or Enterprise reception.
Once this has been completed, simply fill out another bus application form using the link or QR code.
Do I have to renew my application/bus pass every year?
No, once you have been deemed eligible for a bus pass, it is automatically renewed for the following year given the circumstances are the same, eg. no change of address.
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