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This is the printable version. Print it, read it through with your child, sign the declaration at the bottom, and return it to your school office. Choose “Save as PDF” in the print dialog if you would rather send it electronically.
Katikati Transport Network

Terms and conditions of travel

The safety of all students and staff on school buses is our highest priority. To ensure the safe operation of school buses, it is imperative to eliminate distractions for the driver. This policy outlines the expectations for student behaviour on the bus and the consequences of distracting behaviour.

Expectations for Student Behaviour

Students are expected to:

  1. Sit Properly: Remain seated in the same seat and do not move about the bus it is in motion.

  2. Use Quiet Voices: Speak in low tones to avoid creating a noisy environment. Do not play loud music.

  3. Follow Driver and Bus Monitor Instructions: Listen to and follow any instructions given by the bus driver or bus monitor promptly.

  4. Respect Personal Space: Keep hands, feet, and objects to themselves.

  5. Respect Property: Take care of the bus and avoid damaging seats or other equipment.

  6. No Vaping: do not use a vape under any circumstance.

A useful guideline for the appropriate amount of noise is classroom noise versus playground noise. The bus should feel more like a classroom than a playground. Students are able to eat and drink on the bus providing that spills are avoided and rubbish is removed.

Consequences of Distracting Behaviour

To maintain a safe environment, any behaviour that distracts the driver will be addressed promptly. The following consequences will apply to students who engage in distracting behaviour:

  1. Verbal Warning: The driver will pull the bus over and explain the importance of maintaining safe behaviour. It is important to note that the driver will address the entire bus; given their focus on the road ahead they are unlikely to have identified the source of the distraction.

  2. Report to School Staff: The behaviour will be reported to the school bus controller and the Uzabus Branch Manager, who will also record the event in EasyBus.

  3. Parental Notification: Parents will be notified of the behaviour.

  4. Within-School Actions: Where appropriate, action may be taken within school hours to disincentivise distracting behaviour.

  5. On-bus Actions: Where appropriate, a seat assignment may be implemented where the driver and/or school believe that the risk of recurrence will be reduced.

  6. Stand-down: Students may face a short-term stand-down from riding the bus.

  7. Permanent Removal: Repeated or severe infractions may result in complete removal of bus privileges.

If a seat is ever withdrawn

A place on the bus is help with getting to school, not a substitute for being there. Under the Education and Training Act 2020, parents and guardians are responsible for their child attending school every day it is open, from age 6 until they turn 16. That responsibility stays with you if a bus seat is withdrawn, and there is no conveyance allowance to cover the alternative.

Declaration

I have read the terms and conditions of travel set out above and have gone through them with my child. I agree that my child will follow them whenever they travel on a Katikati Transport Network bus, and I understand what happens if they are not followed.

Student name
School
Parent or guardian name
Contact phone
Signature
Date

Please return this signed form to your school office. If you have more than one child travelling, print and sign a form for each of them. Questions about these terms can go to katikati@easybus.nz.