Getting started

How school transport works

School transport in our district is managed by the Kaipara Transport Network Group - a committee of member schools serving the areas around Helensville, Waimauku, Kaukapakapa and South Head. The Group receives funding directly from the Ministry of Education and uses it to help our tamariki get to school.

01
Find your route
Use the Routes link in the menu to find the bus that services your road. Each route page lists the schools it serves, the timetable and the approved stops.
02
Register your tamariki
Register through this website. You'll need your child's name, school, year level, and home address. You'll also need to select the bus stop you plan to use, or ask us to add a new one closer to you. We use this information to manage our network as effectively as we can.
Register now
03
Travel on day one
That's it! If you're using an approved stop there's nothing else to do - your tamariki simply waits at the stop and boards the bus. No pass or app required.
Roles & responsibilities

How the network works

School transport in the Kaipara district involves several groups working together. Here's who does what.

EasyBus - network manager
EasyBus designs the bus routes, manages the contract with our bus operator, handles registrations, and is your first point of contact for anything to do with school transport. If you have a question about eligibility, a stop, or a service issue, contact EasyBus.
Ritchies - bus operator
Ritchies provides and maintains the buses and employs the drivers. They are responsible for the vehicles being safe, roadworthy, and operated to the schedule. Operational issues during a run - a breakdown, a very late bus - are handled by Ritchies.
Drivers
Drivers are responsible for the safe operation of the bus and getting students to school safely. Drivers are not responsible for managing student behaviour on the bus, but they are expected to report issues to their manager.
Schools
Each school has a bus controller who liaises with EasyBus on matters affecting their students. Schools confirm student enrolments and communicate transport information to their school community. Kaipara is governed by a committee of representatives from the member schools.
Parents and whānau
Parents are responsible for getting their tamariki to the bus stop on time and ensuring they travel safely. If your child’s circumstances change — new address, new school, change of year level — please notify EasyBus promptly. Parents are responsible for the behaviour of their tamariki on the bus.
Students
Students are expected to behave appropriately at the bus stop and on the bus at all times. The driver’s instructions must be followed. Students who do not meet the behaviour standards may have their travel suspended by the network committee.
Ministry of Education rules

Am I eligible for free transport?

There are two tests, and your tamariki must meet both. They need to live further from school than the distance set for their year level, and have no suitable public transport available. The distance is measured against the closest school they could enrol at, over the shortest public road or footpath route from your roadside gate to the school gate.

Years 0–8
Primary & intermediate
Your tamariki are eligible if you live more than 3.2km from the closest school they can enrol at. Attending a different school allows you to transfer eligibility.
📍 More than 3.2km from school
Years 9–13
Secondary
Your tamariki are eligible if you live more than 4.8km from the closest school they can enrol at. Attending a different school allows you to transfer eligibility.
📍 More than 4.8km from school
Attending a different school
You do not have to attend the closest school. Eligibility is worked out against the closest school your tamariki could enrol at, and if they qualify on that basis the eligibility can transfer to the school they actually attend. You make your own way to a stop inside your chosen school's transport eligibility zone.
What is suitable public transport?
Public transport is considered suitable if:
  • Runs within 2.4km of your roadside gate
  • Runs within 2.4km of the school
  • Does not need your child picked up before 7am, and still gets them there on time
  • Collects them within an hour of the school day finishing
  • Needs no more than one change of bus
Ministry of Education map

The Ministry of Education provides an interactive map showing transport zones for every school in New Zealand. These zones are the main factor in deciding where you can access school transport assistance from. Enter your address to see which schools you are zoned for.

Open the Ministry's mapping system
Not eligible but still need transport? If there is space available on a bus, students who live inside the eligibility distance may be able to use a spare seat. Spare seats are not guaranteed and may be withdrawn if the bus becomes full. Apply for a spare seat