Information for Schools on the School Student Transport Scheme

The NSW Government is committed to supporting students' access to education through the School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS). The Scheme provides subsidised travel to and from school for eligible students. The SSTS is managed by Transport NSW with both schools and transport operators playing a major role.

To assist schools in the administration of the SSTS, Transport NSW has produced an information manual for schools. The manual provides an overview of the policies and procedures that govern the Scheme's administration and gives schools a guide to their roles and responsibilities under the Scheme.

Transport NSW recognises that much can be done to streamline processes and improve the administrative efficiency of the Scheme. However, the starting point has been to understand and document policies and procedures as they are now. While Transport NSW is in the process of developing and implementing a program of service improvements to enhance the management of the Scheme, this manual does not reflect any substantial changes but details current practice.

In developing the manual, Transport NSW consulted extensively with the Department of Education and Training, the Catholic Education Commission and the Association of Independent Schools through their membership of the SSTS Working Party that Transport NSW convenes. This consultation helped to ensure that the manual captured existing practices.

There is one procedure that some schools may not have undertaken for some time. This is the requirement for schools to notify transport operators on a monthly basis of changes to students' circumstances eg students leaving school or changing their home address. This practice, first introduced in the early 1990s, has lapsed in some areas over the years but it is integral to ensuring the financial accountability of the Scheme. If schools do not notify transport operators of changes to students' circumstances routinely, transport operators may be overpaid for a service which they do not have to provide.

Transport NSW is now asking all schools to ensure they notify transport operators on a monthly basis of changes to students' circumstances. To assist schools in this, Transport NSW has developed two new forms which schools are asked to complete and return to the transport operator(s) on the third Wednesday of each month. Full details of this procedure are explained in the manual.

Transport NSW acknowledges the important role that schools play in the administration of the Scheme. The ongoing partnership between schools, transport operators and Transport NSW will help ensure that NSW continues to have a Scheme that meets the transport needs of students.

By November 2002 two copies of the manual will be sent to your school. Please ensure that one copy is given to your office staff who deal with the SSTS. Electronic copies of the manual will also be available from Transport NSW's website at http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au