Getting started
How school transport works
Every student who rides a TTNG school bus must have a bus pass. Eligible students receive a free pass; students travelling past their nearest school pay a fare. Use the steps below to work out which applies to you and how to order a pass.
01
Check eligibility
Your family qualifies for a free pass if your home is more than 3.2 km from school (primary) or 4.8 km (intermediate/secondary), more than 2.4 km from public transport, and your child attends their nearest appropriate school. Not sure? Use 'Find your bus route' or contact EasyBus.
02
Order your bus pass
Order online through this site. Eligible students get a free pass. Fare-paying students are required to order either an annual pass or a term pass. Passes are printed weekly on Thursdays and sent to the school office; your child will be contacted when their pass is ready to collect.
Order a bus pass03
Ride the bus
Students can use the bus from day one - drivers don't start checking passes until the third week of each term, so there's time to wait for your pass to arrive. Track your route live using the tracker links on the homepage.
Roles & responsibilities
How the network works
School transport in the Tauranga Transport Network Group 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.
Uzabus - bus operator
Uzabus 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 Uzabus.
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. TTNG (Tauranga Transport Network Group) 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 a free pass?
Eligibility is set by the Ministry of Education and is based on distance from home to the closest appropriate school your tamariki can enrol at, measured by the shortest practicable road route. Students who don't meet the criteria can still ride - they just need a fare-paying pass.
Year 1–8
Primary & intermediate
Primary and intermediate students qualify for a free pass if they live more than 3.2 km from the closest school they could enrol at and more than 2.4 km from public transport.
📍 More than 3.2km from school
Year 9–13
Secondary
Secondary students qualify for a free pass if they live more than 4.8 km from the closest school they could enrol at and more than 2.4 km from public transport.
📍 More than 4.8km from school