The Tauranga Transport Network Group receives funding from the Ministry of Education to operate a transport service. Whilst the Group has control over the way in which bus routes are designed, all decisions must fit within a set of requirements imposed by the Ministry. For this reason, we are not always able to provide the level of service that we want to.

One of the key requirements is that eligible students must not be disadvantaged by ineligible students. The Group may decide to provide a service to ineligible students, but if doing so creates a disadvantage the Group is considered to be in breach of the funding agreement. ‘Disadvantage’ may take the form of:
– delays to the service
– eligible students standing whilst ineligible students are seated
– eligible students being harassed or bullied by an ineligible student.

Another key requirement is the inability to transport a student from a neighbouring school’s catchment without their permission. Schools within the Group have given permission for students to travel to any other school within the Group’s area of operation. But there are some schools that neighbour the Group that have not given permission. Whilst many parents do not agree with this, the Group is not able to overrule the wishes of a neighbouring school.