We have had some productive meetings with Ritchies over the past few days in light of the feedback relayed to us by parents of students on some bus routes. 

Some changes have been put in place with immediate effect – the most notable being the provision of a separate bus for the Huapai run (Bus 7) – this bus will leave school around 3:30 each day. Bus 5/6/10 will do only one route.

However, through this process Ritchies have also reviewed their procedures and will be ensuring that bus ID cards and bus concession cards on Ministry routes are sighted and clipped by their drivers. 

The Ministry provides buses for students who meet specific distance criteria. To be eligible for a Ministry bus, a student must live MORE than 2.4km from suitable public transport AND MORE than 4.8km from their nearest school. The Ministry deems that these are provided as a ‘last resort’.

Our Ministry routes are:

• Bus 1 Bethells
• Bus 2 Scenic Drive
• Bus 3 Riverhead
• Bus 7 Huapai (now departing Massey High School at 3.30pm)
• Bus 9 Muriwai
• Bus 11 Taupaki
• Bus 12 Wairere Road.

Boarding Ministry Buses

All buses provided by Ritchies have loading capacity limits displayed on the front (maximum sitting and standing). Our staff supervising loading of buses at the end of each day will in no circumstances exceed these limits. Eligible students are entitled to board these buses first.  Eligible students will have a temporary Bus ID card which students must show the driver every time they board the bus.

These temporary passes will be replaced with plastic Bus ID cards with a student photo and appropriate bus name on them, once the $6 charge has been paid.  Please contact the Bursar’s office to have the charge added to your Kindo account by 28th February.

Once all eligible students have boarded then ineligible students can board the buses. Ineligible students need to buy a Ritchies Concession card and have this clipped by the driver.

Bus 13

Ritchies have noted school and parent concerns and will be providing a bus more suitable for the distance traveled and the capacity. We will continue to monitor that route to ensure our students receive the service they deserve.