Ōhoka School has two bus routes which services most of our current enrolment zone.

The two buses arrive at school between 8:45am – 9:00am and depart approximately 3:10pm. 

The Ministry of Education funds the cost of these buses and there are strict rules regarding bus eligibility. If you live within the School Zone, please check with the office to see whether you are eligible.

The Ministry of Education Rules in regard to bus eligibility are as follows:-

“Pupils under 10 years of age who live more than 3.2kms from the nearest state school and pupils 10 years of age and over who live more than 4.8kms from the nearest state school, may be eligible for transport. The provision of school transport is a form of assistance only and does not fully remove the obligation of parents in this regard. Eligible children are normally required to make their own way up to 1.6kms to the bus stop”

If your child is eligible to use the bus that will be added to a Bus Roll which is taken each morning. As each student is checked onto the bus, should you decide to pick your child up please ensure you let the school know as we do hold up buses while we try to find any missing students.

Should there be any cancellations or issues with the buses we will contact parents as soon as we are advised.

The bus company that transports our children is Tranzit coachlines.

Bus Safety

Children who are eligible for the bus will be asked to read, sign and follow the school bus code of conduct while on the bus. We go through the safety procedures getting on and off the bus at school but we also ask that parents go through the safety procedures at home and follow them when waiting for your children off the bus. Attached are the Ministry of Education and the Waka Kotahi School bus safety guidelines fo your information. 

Key points

• When waiting for the bus, stand well back from the road. Buses take up a lot of room when they pull in. 

• Put your phone down and remove your headphones. Stay alert so you can hear and see dangers. 

• Let the bus stop completely before you try to get on.

• Don’t push and shove or try to get on as a big group.

• Let younger students get on first so they can safely find a seat.

• Carry your bag so it doesn’t get caught in the door. Once you’re in a seat, put your bag under the seat in front of you or on your lap.

• If you have to stand in the aisle, hold on to a seat back or rail. Keep your bag as close to you as possible on the floor so other people don’t trip on it.

• Stay behind the driver. Listen to instructions from the driver and the wardens, they want to keep you safe.

• When you get off the bus, wait as far away from the edge of the road as you can until the bus drives away. Stay alert for traffic dangers. Caregivers wait on the same side of the road the bus is coming, when collecting your child.

• If you need to cross the road, wait until the bus has gone far away and use the kerb drill.

Kerb drill

1. Find a safe place to cross.

2. Take one step back from the curb.

3. Look in all directions and listen for traffic.

4. If traffic is coming wait for it to pass, then look and listen again.

5. When there is no traffic, walk quickly across and be alert to any changes.

NOTE:  Bus Route 1 starts on Jeffs Drain road in the Morning and Bus Route 2 Starts on Mill Road in the Morning. The bus routes will go the opposite way in the afternoon. The times indicated are approximate and depend on the number of children taking the bus.